AG Brown sues to block executive order that undermines voting rights

# AG Brown Leads Coalition Challenging Trump Voting Rights Executive Order

Washington Attorney General Nick Brown co-led a coalition of 23 attorneys general and one governor on April 3 in filing a lawsuit to block President Trump's executive order restricting voter eligibility and mail-in voting. The order, signed March 31, attempts to establish a national voter eligibility list and directs the U.S. Postal Service to transmit mail ballots only to those on the list. The President also threatens states and elections officials with criminal prosecution and loss of federal funding for non-compliance.

The coalition argues the executive order violates the U.S. Constitution by exceeding presidential authority and infringing on states' primary responsibility to administer elections. The order would force states to upend existing election procedures and conduct voter education on an impractical timeline ahead of the 2026 general election. Brown previously led a successful challenge to a similar Trump executive order in 2024, with a federal judge in Seattle finding the President had exceeded his authority and violated separation of powers.

The states contend that mail-in voting is safe, legal, and constitutional. Washington's vote-by-mail system was established with bipartisan support and is utilized by voters across all parties and demographics.