Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced on April 3 that he has joined a coalition of 24 states in filing a lawsuit against President Trump’s recent executive order, which seeks to limit voter eligibility and mail-in voting to those pre-approved by the federal government.
The lawsuit argues that the executive order threatens to disenfranchise eligible voters and undermines the constitutional authority of states to administer their own elections. This action comes as concerns rise about federal overreach into state-managed election processes, especially ahead of the upcoming general election.
“President Trump’s unlawful executive order will disenfranchise voters and cause chaos in the administration of elections,” Raoul said. “States have authority to regulate the time, place and manner of federal elections. There is no statute that authorizes the executive branch to determine who is entitled to vote in federal elections. I’m filing this lawsuit to protect the fundamental right to vote for the people of Illinois and for all Americans.”
According to details from Raoul’s office, President Trump signed an executive order on March 31 aiming to create a national list of eligible voters and instructing the U.S. Postal Service only to send mail ballots to individuals on this list. The order also threatens states with criminal prosecution or loss of federal funding if they do not comply with these requirements.
The attorneys general contend that this move would force states like Illinois—where registered voters can cast ballots by mail if they meet state criteria—to abandon their established procedures for voter rolls, mail-in voting systems, and registration laws just months before an election cycle begins. They argue such rapid changes would lead not only to confusion but also risk excluding legitimate voters from participating.
Raoul’s office has been active in advocating for vulnerable groups including workers, immigrants, and seniors according to its official website. The office handles thousands of consumer complaints each year according to its official website and aims both at protecting consumers’ rights as well as promoting safer communities according to its official website. It extends advocacy efforts statewide according to its official website, partners with law enforcement agencies in support of crime victims according to its official website, and offers services such as complaint filing related both consumer fraud or civil rights issues according to its official website.
Joining Illinois in this legal challenge are attorneys general from Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina Oregon Rhode Island Vermont Virginia Washington Wisconsin as well as Pennsylvania’s governor.
