Arizona’s Attorney General and Secretary of State have joined forces with 17 other states to file a lawsuit against President Trump’s controversial Elections Executive Order. This legal battle has the potential to reshape election laws nationwide and protect the integrity of our democratic processes.
The Executive Order, signed by President Trump in May of this year, aims to investigate and potentially penalize states that allow non-citizens to vote in federal elections. However, Arizona’s Attorney General, Mark Brnovich, and Secretary of State, Katie Hobbs, argue that the order is a direct attack on state rights and undermines the integrity of our electoral system.
In a video statement released by The Gateway Pundit, Attorney General Brnovich stated, “We believe that this Executive Order is an overreach by the federal government and it undermines the state’s ability to manage their own elections.” He went on to explain that the order could potentially open the door for federal interference in state election processes, which goes against the principles of federalism and states’ rights.
Secretary of State Hobbs echoed these sentiments, stating, “The President’s Executive Order is an attempt to undermine the rights of states to manage their own elections and is a blatant attack on the democratic process.” She also expressed concern that the order could have a negative impact on voter participation and turnout.
The lawsuit, filed in the US District Court for the District of Columbia, argues that the Executive Order is unconstitutional and violates the National Voter Registration Act. The Act, passed in 1993, allows states to determine their own voter eligibility requirements, including the ability to allow non-citizens to vote in state and local elections.
This lawsuit is not only significant for Arizona but for the entire nation. If successful, it could set a precedent for other states to challenge the Executive Order and protect their own election laws.
Arizona is not alone in this fight. Other states joining the lawsuit include California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington. All of these states have Democratic attorneys general, highlighting the bipartisan effort to protect state rights and the integrity of our elections.
The issue of non-citizens voting in elections has been a contentious one, with Republicans arguing that it leads to voter fraud and Democrats countering that it is a form of voter suppression. However, this lawsuit is not about taking sides on this issue. It is about defending the rights of states to manage their own elections and ensuring the fairness and integrity of our democratic processes.
The outcome of this legal battle could have far-reaching implications for the upcoming 2020 elections. With the nation already deeply divided along political lines, it is crucial to protect the integrity of our electoral system and uphold the principles of federalism.
In conclusion, Arizona’s Attorney General and Secretary of State have taken a bold step in challenging President Trump’s Elections Executive Order. This lawsuit is not just about protecting Arizona’s election laws, but it has the potential to shape the future of our nation’s electoral processes. Let us hope that the courts will uphold the rights of states and safeguard the integrity of our democracy.