Plaintiffs League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), the Secure Families Initiative (SFI), and the Arizona Students’ Association (ASA) filed a federal lawsuit in the District of Columbia against the Executive Office of the President, the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) and its commissioners, the Department of Justice, the Department of Defense, and the Federal Voting Assistance Program, challenging Executive Order 14248, issued by President Trump on March 25, 2025, titled “Preserving and Protecting the Integrity of American Elections.” The complaint alleges that the order unconstitutionally usurps powers belonging to Congress and the states by directing federal agencies to impose new election rules, including requiring documentary proof of citizenship (DPOC) for voter registration using the National Mail Voter Registration Form and the Federal Post Card Application used by military and overseas voters. Plaintiffs claim the President lacks authority to direct the independent EAC or to condition federal election funds on compliance with these new requirements, arguing the order violates the Elections Clause, separation of powers, and the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA). The order also directs the Attorney General to penalize states that count mail ballots received after Election Day, which plaintiffs argue unlawfully interferes with state-established election procedures and voter rights. The organizations assert the order would disenfranchise eligible voters—particularly Latino voters, military families, students, and overseas voters—who may lack or have difficulty submitting DPOC such as passports or “Real ID” licenses, and would harm their voter registration missions by forcing costly diversions of resources. The complaint seeks declaratory and injunctive relief to block implementation of the Executive Order, arguing it exceeds presidential authority, violates federal statutes including the NVRA, HAVA, and UOCAVA, and threatens irreparable harm to voters’ constitutional rights and election integrity nationwide.
