The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for April 11, 2025
Nineteen states and several pro-voter groups filed suit against a March 25th executive order by President Donald Trump. The order appears to override Congressional and state jurisdiction granted by the U.S. Constitution, and its noncitizen voting restrictions could actually disenfranchise millions of eligible Americans.
To be clear, there is NO evidence of widespread noncitizen voting in any state. But the March 25th order requires documentary proof of citizenship to register to vote in federal elections, which in practice would require it for state elections, too. States who don’t follow the Trump directive could lose federal funding.
Problem is, one in nine Americans don’t have ready access to their citizenship papers. An estimated 69 million married women use a name different from their birth certificate, and only half of Americans have a valid U.S. Passport.
The order also requires states to comb their voter rolls for possible noncitizens, gives states access to federal databases, and mandates states report voting infractions to the U.S. Justice Department. It requires that mail ballots be received by election day, eliminating grace periods.
The U.S. Constitution assigns administration of elections to the states and Congress, which is the basis of states’ challenge. The Campaign Legal Center and four other pro-democracy groups also challenged the ruling on similar grounds.
We’ve linked to Trump’s order and the legal challenges at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
The White House – Executive Order: PRESERVING AND PROTECTING THE INTEGRITY OF AMERICAN ELECTIONS
NPR – 19 states sue over Trump’s voting executive order, arguing it’s unconstitutional
PBS – Election watchdog groups sue Trump administration over executive order, calling it unconstitutional
Campaign Legal Center – CLC Sues to Block Trump Administration’s Illegal Election Overreach
Campaign Legal Center – Complaint in U.S. District Court for DC Against Trump Executive Order
U.S. District Court for MA, via State of NY – Complaint by 19 States Against Trump Executive Order
Groups Taking Action:
Campaign Legal Center, State Democracy Defenders Fund, LULAC, Arizona Students’ Association, Secure Families Initiative
Register or Check Your Voter Registration:
U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register And Vote in Your State
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