Democratic leaders and election groups sued President Trump and the Justice Department on Tuesday, seeking to stop federal officials from pressing states to remove voters from rolls before the November midterm elections.
The 44-page complaint was lodged in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. It accuses the Justice Department and the Department of Homeland Security of unlawfully ordering states to drop suspected noncitizens and warning election officials of criminal prosecution if they do not comply.
The case was brought by three Democratic-aligned groups and several Democratic leaders, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York. It contends the administration used poorly assembled lists to flag ineligible voters, putting eligible Americans at risk of losing ballots or having votes uncounted.
The challenge points specifically to an Oct. 13 Justice Department demand that California withhold or set aside ballots from more than 20,000 registered voters suspected of being noncitizens. It further alleges the administration violated the Voting Rights Act by threatening state and local officials with imprisonment.
The Justice Department told The Washington Post on Wednesday that protecting election integrity was a top priority, with spokeswoman Kiersten Pels saying its actions were grounded in law. A White House spokeswoman said anyone who votes illegally will be held accountable.