NAACP, Voting Rights Groups Challenge Trump’s Recent Executive Order
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 1, 2025
CONTACT:
Dominic Hawkins - NAACP, communications@naacpnet.org
Ella Wiley, ACLU, media@aclu.org, 925-819-0555
Aleisha Flores, Advancing Justice – AAJC,aflores@advancingjustice-aajc.org
Adam Ginsburg, LWVUS, aginsburg@lwv.org
Rebecca Autrey, Brennan Center for Justice at NYU Law, autreyr@brennan.law.nyu.edu
Troi Barnes, LDF, media@naacpldf.org
LatinoJustice PRLDEF, media@latinojustice.org
WASHINGTON — A coalition of voting rights organizations, including NAACP, filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to challenge President Trump's unlawful executive order on voting that attempts to seize the power to set voter registration rules from Congress and the states, and doing so in a way that would violate federal law and the Constitution if carried out by the Election Assistance Commission (EAC).
Key provisions of Trump's order could disenfranchise millions of eligible voters, particularly voters of color, women voters, naturalized citizens, voters with disabilities, voters with low incomes, and first-time voters.
The Constitution specifies that Congress and the states can set the rules for our elections, not the President. On March 27, several of the groups also sent a letter to the EAC urging them not to take action in response to key provisions in the executive order, as doing so would violate federal law.
The National League of Women Voters, NAACP, League of Women Voters of Arizona, League of Women Voters Education Fund, OCA - Asian Pacific American Advocates, Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote, and Hispanic Federation, are represented by the American Civil Liberties Union, ACLU of D.C., Brennan Center for Justice at NYU Law, the Legal Defense Fund, LatinoJustice PRLDEF, and Asian Americans Advancing Justice – AAJC (Advancing Justice – AAJC).
The groups are challenging the order's usurpation of powers, including its directive for the U.S. Election Assistance Commission to change the federal voter registration form to require burdensome submission of documents to prove citizenship, which many Americans do not have or cannot readily acquire. Under existing law, registrants already have to swear to their citizenship under penalty of perjury, and there is no evidence that non-citizens are registering to vote at significant rates.
The coalition released the following joint statement about the lawsuit, League of Women Voters et. al. v. Trump et. al.:
"The president has no constitutional or statutory authority to unilaterally dictate how elections are run. This executive order is a blatant violation of the separation of powers. Election rules are decided by Congress and the states, and any attempt by the executive branch to override their power violates the Constitution. This order, based on a persistent false and racialized narrative, could disenfranchise millions of eligible voters. It mirrors the SAVE Act, which would add unnecessary barriers to voter registration and silence the voices of American citizens. These unlawful attacks on voting rights are part of a broader effort to undermine our democracy. We have filed suit to stop this executive order and to keep it from interfering with eligible voters' participation in our elections."
"This so-called executive order is blatantly unconstitutional and designed to disenfranchise millions of lawful, eligible voters," said Derrick Johnson, President and CEO of NAACP. "In America, Presidents do not control elections. Trump is clearly pushing the boundaries of executive power to see how much he can get away with. It's time for the public and all elected officials to speak up as loudly as they can before our country is stolen from its people. If we hand the president control over how elections are run in America, we no longer live in a democracy. This isn't just another executive order — it is a test to see if we allow the president to crown himself."
The link to the complaint is available here. To learn more about how the NAACP is fighting to protect the right to vote, visit our website.
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.