Democrats sue to block Trump election administration takeover

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 21 Oct, 22:02 · Archive

Democratic leaders are suing to block President Trump's administration from overriding states' authority over elections.

Democratic Party leaders have sued in federal court to block President Trump's administration from usurping states' authority to administer elections or intimidating state and local election officials into complying with demands they say are illegal.

The lawsuit was filed on Tuesday in Washington, two weeks before midterm elections scheduled for 3 November. The plaintiffs, including Senator Chuck Schumer and Representative Hakeem Jeffries, seek a court order barring the administration from purging legally registered voters from voter registration lists or denying ballots to legally registered voters. They also ask the court to rule that the administration has illegally threatened state election officials with prosecution.

The lawsuit cites recent Justice Department actions in California, where the federal government sued to block state election officials from counting mail-in ballots cast by people whom it has identified as 'likely' noncitizens until their immigration status can be confirmed. The suit alleges that the administration has 'bombarded the American people with lies and misinformation about American elections and voter fraud' and employed these claims 'as a pretext to seize control over elections'.

The Justice Department said in a statement that election integrity is a top priority for the administration and that its actions are grounded in law and under court litigation.

How it is being reported

• Democrats sue to block Trump administration from usurping states' authority to administer electionsDemocratic Party leaders are suing to block President Donald Trump’s administration from usurping states’ authority to administer elections.Clickorlando · 21 Oct, 21:22
• Democrats sue to block Trump administration from usurping states' authority to administer electionsDemocratic Party leaders are suing to block President Donald Trump’s administration from usurping states’ authority to administer elections.News4Jax · 21 Oct, 21:22

In this story: Chuck Schumer · Hakeem Jeffries · Donald Trump · Democratic Party · Justice Department · California · Washington

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