TRENTON, N.J. — New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport has joined a coalition of 23 attorneys general and one governor in filing a lawsuit challenging a recent executive order issued by President Donald Trump related to election administration.
The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, argues the order would improperly expand federal involvement in elections, which are primarily administered by states under the U.S. Constitution.
“The Constitution makes clear that states administer elections in America – not the federal government,” said Attorney General Davenport. “Changes to election rules cannot be made by the President through a blatantly unlawful executive order that seeks to disenfranchise voters in the name of debunked conspiracy theories about widespread fraud from voting by mail. Americans trust their local and state officials to run free, fair, and secure elections. We are confident the courts will reject this blatant power grab.”
The executive order, signed March 31, seeks to establish a national list of eligible voters and directs the U.S. Postal Service to deliver mail ballots only to those included on that list. It also includes potential penalties, such as loss of federal funding or criminal enforcement, for states that do not comply.
According to the lawsuit, the coalition argues the order could conflict with existing state laws governing voter registration, mail-in voting and election procedures.
State officials said implementing such changes could require significant adjustments to election systems ahead of upcoming elections, including primary contests and the 2026 general election.
New Jersey, like many states, allows voting by mail under established procedures that include identity verification and ballot tracking measures. Officials say mail-in voting has become an increasingly used option among voters in recent years.
The lawsuit asks the court to block enforcement of the executive order, arguing it violates constitutional principles related to the separation of powers and state authority over elections.
Attorneys general from multiple states, including California, New York, Illinois and Massachusetts, joined the filing, along with the governor of Pennsylvania.
