NAACP and Civil Rights Groups Sue to Stop Trump Order on Mail in Ballots

WASHINGTON – Over the weekend, four of the nation's leading civil and voting rights groups, NAACP, Common Cause, Black Voters Matter, and Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under the Law sued to stop President Trump's attempt to nationalize elections and prevent 48 million voters from casting a ballot with his latest executive order on mail in ballots. 
 
The lawsuit was filed on April 3rd in federal court in Washington, D.C. This is one of the first legal attempts to stop this executive order. Last month, President Trump released the executive order and the NAACP opposed.  

"Americans in every corner of our country, rural and urban, Black and white, rich and poor, healthy and infirm, civilian and servicemember, have participated in mail-in voting for decades without issue," said Derrick Johnson, NAACP President and CEO. "This executive order sows chaos and discourages voter participation in the midterm elections. The NAACP will continue to turn to the courts to ensure that everyone can have a voice in our elections." 

"Mail in voting is so safe that even the president uses it when he votes," said Virginia Kase Solomón, Common Cause President and CEO. "This is yet another attempt by President Trump to nationalize elections so he can pick and choose who gets to vote. Common Cause and our one million members firmly reject any president setting election law, especially as a last ditch effort to avoid being held accountable for his extremely unpopular agenda." 

"This executive order targeting mail-in ballots is unlawful and usurps congressional authority in order to stop the midterm elections. This is another blatant attempt to undermine the people's power," said Cliff Albright, co-founder of Black Voters Matter. "We're joining this lawsuit to stop this administration from silencing the voices of millions of Americans. Black Voters Matter will continue to fight for free, fair, and accessible elections."  

Shaylyn Cochran, deputy executive director for the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, said, "The executive order is unlawful, unconstitutional, and a clear overreach of executive power. It reflects yet another dangerous attempt by this administration to erect obstacles to the ballot and to intimidate voters. If left to stand, the executive order would upend state laws and procedures on voting, tread on the Constitution, and threaten to shut out a significant number of Black voters from the political process. In filing today's lawsuit, we are standing up for the rule of law and standing by the Lawyers' Committee's founding commitment to making the promises of our democracy real." 

The organizations are part of the largest nonpartisan election protection organization in the United States, 866-OUR-VOTE, a national hotline and text platform to help voters work through any voting issues. Their participation in helping voters, and defending their members' right to vote, gives NAACP and Common Cause standing in fighting this executive order.  
 
The lawsuit contends states and Congress set rules for elections, not presidents, and this executive order tying federal funding to election procedures is illegal.  The NAACP is currently litigating in over 20 voting rights lawsuits across the country and will continue to use our collective power to fight against voter suppression in this nation.

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About NAACP

The NAACP advocates, agitates, and litigates for the civil rights due to Black America. Our legacy is built on the foundation of grassroots activism by the biggest civil rights pioneers of the 20th century and is sustained by 21st century activists. From classrooms and courtrooms to city halls and Congress, our network of members across the country works to secure the social and political power that will end race-based discrimination. That work is rooted in racial equity, civic engagement, and supportive policies and institutions for all marginalized people. We are committed to a world without racism where Black people enjoy equitable opportunities in thriving communities.

NOTE: The Legal Defense Fund – also referred to as the NAACP-LDF - was founded in 1940 as a part of the NAACP, but now operates as a completely separate entity.