Attorney General
Here's a look at documents from state attorneys general
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Va. A.G.'s Office Successfully Prosecutes Cocaine and Heroin Trafficking Conspiracy Distribution Case, Resulting in Conviction
RICHMOND, Virginia, April 4 -- Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones issued the following news release on April 3, 2026:
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Virginia Attorney General's Office Successfully Prosecutes Cocaine and Heroin Trafficking Conspiracy Distribution Case, Resulting in Conviction
NORFOLK, Va - Today, Virginia Attorney General applauds Assistant Attorney General/Special Assistant United States Attorney Kelly Cournoyer for her role in securing a conviction in a Norfolk, Virginia cocaine and heroin trafficking conspiracy distribution case.
Brehon Kanell Davis was found guilty on charges of conspiracy to distribute
... Show Full Article
RICHMOND, Virginia, April 4 -- Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones issued the following news release on April 3, 2026:
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Virginia Attorney General's Office Successfully Prosecutes Cocaine and Heroin Trafficking Conspiracy Distribution Case, Resulting in Conviction
NORFOLK, Va - Today, Virginia Attorney General applauds Assistant Attorney General/Special Assistant United States Attorney Kelly Cournoyer for her role in securing a conviction in a Norfolk, Virginia cocaine and heroin trafficking conspiracy distribution case.
Brehon Kanell Davis was found guilty on charges of conspiracy to distributeand possess with intent to distribute cocaine and heroin. Davis was further convicted on two counts of possession with intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base
"Fentanyl and other illegal drugs are destroying the lives of Virginians and harming our communities. When someone brings these substances into our state, they will be held accountable for the damage," said Attorney General Jay Jones. "Fighting for the safety and well-being of Virginia sits at the core of this office. I'm proud of the work my office put into this case and for what continues to be done to keep Virginian's safe."
According to evidence presented at trial, from at least April 2021 to December 2023, Davis' co-conspirators obtained cocaine, heroin, fentanyl, and parafluorofentanyl from out-of-state and had it shipped in whole-sale quantities to Virginia. From there, Davis and others distributed the drugs in Norfolk. They used internet payment services, such as Cash App, to pay for the narcotics.
Davis will be sentenced on July 28, 2026 and faces up to ten years in prison.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Division, the FBI's Norfolk Field Office, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Washington, D.C., the U.S. Marshals Service, and the Norfolk Police Department investigated this case with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Darryl J. Mitchell and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelly A. Cournoyer are prosecuted this case. Former Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony Marek and former Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys Graham Stolle and Marc W. West assisted in the prosecution.
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Original text here: https://www.oag.state.va.us/media-center/news-releases/2998-virginia-attorney-generals-office-successfully-prosecutes-cocaine-and-heroin-trafficking-conspiracy-distribution-case-resulting-in-conviction
Va. A.G. Jones Sues Trump Administration Over Unlawful Executive Order Attempting to Exert Federal Control Over Elections
RICHMOND, Virginia, April 4 -- Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones issued the following news release on April 3, 2026:
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ATTORNEY GENERAL JAY JONES SUES TRUMP ADMINISTRATION OVER UNLAWFUL EXECUTIVE ORDER ATTEMPTING TO EXERT FEDERAL CONTROL OVER ELECTIONS
Executive Order Threatens to Disenfranchise Eligible Voters and Violates States' Authority to Administer Elections
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Attorney General Jay Jones today joined a coalition of 21 attorneys general in suing President Trump in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, challenging his unlawful Executive Order that attempts to
... Show Full Article
RICHMOND, Virginia, April 4 -- Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones issued the following news release on April 3, 2026:
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ATTORNEY GENERAL JAY JONES SUES TRUMP ADMINISTRATION OVER UNLAWFUL EXECUTIVE ORDER ATTEMPTING TO EXERT FEDERAL CONTROL OVER ELECTIONS
Executive Order Threatens to Disenfranchise Eligible Voters and Violates States' Authority to Administer Elections
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Attorney General Jay Jones today joined a coalition of 21 attorneys general in suing President Trump in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, challenging his unlawful Executive Order that attempts tointerfere with states' constitutional authority to administer elections by restricting voter eligibility and mail voting to lists of voters pre-authorized by the federal government.
"This is a blatant attempt by Donald Trump to sow confusion and distrust in our democratic processes and to influence the midterm elections for his own personal gain," said Attorney General Jay Jones. "This order does not affect balloting for the April 21 referendum, but if left in place it will disenfranchise voters in the November election. This fearmongering and arrogation of States' authority is plainly unconstitutional. I'm proud to join attorneys general across the country in defending the right to the franchise and to use every legal tool available to us to stop the president's illegal power grab."
On March 31, President Trump signed an Executive Order attempting to establish a national list of eligible voters and directing the U.S. Postal Service, an independent federal agency, to transmit mail ballots only to those on the list. In the Order, the President threatens states and elections officials with criminal prosecution and the loss of federal funding if they do not comply with his demands. The attorneys general argue that the Order would require states to act contrary to their own voter roll procedures, vote-by-mail systems, and voter registration laws.
State and federal law entitle all eligible voters to cast ballots and have their votes counted in state and federal elections. The states filing this lawsuit permit registered voters to cast their ballots by mail if they meet their state's requirements for doing so. Voters of all parties, in all states, and of every demographic utilize mail-in voting - including the President himself.
In their lawsuit, the coalition explains that the U.S. Constitution gives states the primary authority to administer elections. In contrast, the Constitution does not allow the President to unilaterally impose changes to federal election procedures, particularly without an act of Congress permitting him to do so.
Moreover, the administration of elections is highly complex and requires substantial planning and preparation. The attorneys general argue that the President's Executive Order would require states to upend their existing election administration procedures for upcoming elections and conduct statewide voter education at a dangerously quick pace - potentially within weeks of primary elections and mere months before the beginning of mail voting for the 2026 general election. The coalition argues that such drastic and rapid changes will undoubtedly create confusion, chaos, and distrust in state election systems, all while threatening to disenfranchise eligible voters.
With Virginia holding elections every year, and voting underway for Virginia's April 21 referendum, maintaining an accessible and locally administered balloting process is paramount to our democracy. Virginia election officials are our friends and neighbors in communities across the Commonwealth working at this moment to deliver another election that's free, fair, safe, and secure. They'll make sure every eligible vote, and only every eligible vote, is counted. Virginians should feel confident that their vote is secure for the election currently underway and will remain so for every election going forward.
The attorneys general allege that the President's Executive Order violates the separation of powers and unlawfully interferes with states' mail voting programs. The coalition asks the court to prevent the federal government from implementing or enforcing the Executive Order.
Joining AG Jay Jones in filing this lawsuit, which was led by Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell, California Attorney General Rob Bonta, Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford, and Washington Attorney General Nick Brown, are the attorneys general of Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin.
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Original text here: https://www.oag.state.va.us/media-center/news-releases/2997-attorney-general-jay-jones-sues-trump-administration-over-unlawful-executive-orderattempting-to-exert-federal-control-over-elections
R.I. A.G. Neronha, Coalition Sue Trump Administration Over Unlawful Executive Order Attempting to Exert Federal Control Over Elections
PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island, April 4 -- Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Neronha issued the following news release on April 3, 2026:
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Attorney General Neronha, coalition sue Trump Administration over unlawful executive order attempting to exert federal control over elections
Attorney General Peter F. Neronha today joined a coalition of 23 attorneys general and one governor in announcing a lawsuit against President Trump in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, challenging his unlawful Executive Order that attempts to interfere with states' constitutional authority
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PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island, April 4 -- Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Neronha issued the following news release on April 3, 2026:
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Attorney General Neronha, coalition sue Trump Administration over unlawful executive order attempting to exert federal control over elections
Attorney General Peter F. Neronha today joined a coalition of 23 attorneys general and one governor in announcing a lawsuit against President Trump in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, challenging his unlawful Executive Order that attempts to interfere with states' constitutional authorityto administer elections by restricting voter eligibility and mail voting to lists of voters pre-authorized by the federal government. The lawsuit will be filed in the District of Massachusetts later today.
As alleged in the complaint, the Executive Order would purportedly require states to act contrary to their own voter roll procedures, vote-by-mail systems, and voter registration laws.
"With the stroke of a pen, this President is attempting to undermine elections and sidestep the deeply rooted authority of states to administer elections," said Attorney General Neronha. "This President cannot be permitted to bypass the Constitution by threatening officials and withholding congressionally approved funding, as we have proved in court time and time again. With upcoming elections deciding our next leaders, from city council to Congress, we will not jeopardize the integrity of our democratic process to appease the individual at the helm of the executive branch. This is a direct attack on the central pillar of our democracy, and we will not let this Administration restrict Rhode Islanders' right to vote."
On March 31, President Trump signed an Executive Order attempting to establish a national list of eligible voters and directing the U.S. Postal Service, an independent federal agency, to transmit mail ballots only to those on the list. In the Order, the President threatens states and elections officials with criminal prosecution and the loss of federal funding if they do not comply with his demands.
State and federal law entitle all eligible voters to cast ballots and have their votes counted in state and federal elections. The states filing this lawsuit, including Rhode Island, permit registered voters to cast their ballots by mail if they meet their state's requirements for doing so. Voters of all parties, in all states, and of every demographic utilize mail-in voting - including the President himself.
In their lawsuit, the coalition argues that the U.S. Constitution gives states the primary authority to administer elections. Moreover, the President cannot unilaterally change federal election procedures, particularly without an act of Congress permitting him to do so.
The administration of elections is highly complex and requires substantial planning and preparation. The attorneys general argue that the President's Executive Order would require states to upend their existing election administration procedures for upcoming elections and conduct statewide voter education at a dangerously quick pace - potentially within weeks of primary elections and mere months before the beginning of mail voting for the 2026 general election. Such drastic and rapid changes will undoubtedly create confusion, chaos, and distrust in state election systems, all while threatening to disenfranchise eligible voters.
The complaint further alleges that the President's Executive Order violates the separation of powers and unlawfully interferes with states' mail voting programs. The coalition asks the court to declare the challenged provisions of the Executive Order unconstitutional and void, and enjoin the federal government from implementing or enforcing the Executive Order.
Joining Attorney General Neronha in filing this lawsuit are the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Colombia, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin, as well as the Governor of Pennsylvania.
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Original text here: https://riag.ri.gov/press-releases/attorney-general-neronha-coalition-sue-trump-administration-over-unlawful-executive
N.J. A.G. Davenport Sues Trump Administration Over Unlawful Executive Order Attempting to Exert Federal Control Over Elections
TRENTON, New Jersey, April 4 -- New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport issued the following news release on April 3, 2026:
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AG Davenport Sues Trump Administration Over Unlawful Executive Order Attempting to Exert Federal Control Over Elections
Executive Order Threatens to Disenfranchise Eligible Voters and Violates States' Authority to Administer Elections
View Complaint (https://www.njoag.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026-0403-California-v-Trump-Complaint.pdf)
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Attorney General Jennifer Davenport today joined a coalition of 23 attorneys general and one governor in suing President
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TRENTON, New Jersey, April 4 -- New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport issued the following news release on April 3, 2026:
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AG Davenport Sues Trump Administration Over Unlawful Executive Order Attempting to Exert Federal Control Over Elections
Executive Order Threatens to Disenfranchise Eligible Voters and Violates States' Authority to Administer Elections
View Complaint (https://www.njoag.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026-0403-California-v-Trump-Complaint.pdf)
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Attorney General Jennifer Davenport today joined a coalition of 23 attorneys general and one governor in suing PresidentTrump in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, challenging his unlawful Executive Order. The Executive Order attempts to interfere with states' constitutional authority to administer elections by restricting voter eligibility and mail-in voting to lists of voters pre-authorized by the federal government.
"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."
On March 31, President Trump signed an Executive Order attempting to establish a national list of eligible voters and directing the U.S. Postal Service, an independent federal agency, to transmit mail ballots only to those on the list. In the Order, the President threatens states and elections officials with criminal prosecution and the loss of federal funding if they do not comply with his demands. But, the attorneys general argue, the Order would require states to act contrary to their own voter roll procedures, vote-by-mail systems, and voter registration laws.
The U.S. Constitution gives states the primary authority to administer elections. It does not allow the President to unilaterally impose changes to federal election procedures, particularly without an act of Congress permitting him to do so.
State and federal law entitle all eligible voters to cast ballots and have their votes counted in state and federal elections. The states filing this lawsuit permit registered voters to cast their ballots by mail if they meet their state's requirements for doing so. Voters of all parties, in all states, and of every demographic utilize mail-in voting - including the President himself.
The administration of elections is highly complex and requires substantial planning and preparation. The attorneys general argue that the President's Executive Order would require states to upend their existing election administration procedures for upcoming elections and conduct statewide voter education at a dangerously quick pace - potentially within weeks of primary elections and mere months before the beginning of mail voting for the 2026 general election. Such drastic and rapid changes will create confusion, chaos, and distrust in state election systems, all while threatening to disenfranchise eligible voters.
New Jersey has allowed by voting by mail - once called absentee voting - for decades. It has become increasingly popular among voters, accounting for 20% to 30% of votes cast in general elections in the state over the last five years. Security features on vote-by-mail ballots include a unique barcode and voter ID on the ballot envelope and prepaid postage return envelope. Mail-in voters also are required to complete a certification, and their signatures are compared with the voter's signature in the voter registration system.
The attorneys general allege that the President's Executive Order violates the separation of powers and unlawfully interferes with states' mail voting programs. The coalition asks the court to prevent the federal government from implementing or enforcing the Executive Order.
Attorney General Davenport is joined in the lawsuit by the attorneys general of California, Massachusetts, Nevada, Washington, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia, and the Governor of Pennsylvania.
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Original text here: https://www.njoag.gov/ag-davenport-sues-trump-administration-over-unlawful-executive-order-attempting-to-exert-federal-control-over-elections/
Md. A.G. Brown Supports Law Firms Targeted for Retribution by Trump Administration
BALTIMORE, Maryland, April 4 -- Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown issued the following news release on April 3, 2026:
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Attorney General Brown Supports Law Firms Targeted for Retribution by Trump Administration
Coalition Files Brief Backing Challenge of Unconstitutional Executive Orders that Undermine the Rule of Law
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Attorney General Anthony G. Brown joined a coalition of 20 attorneys general today in filing an amicus brief supporting law firms challenging unconstitutional executive orders that imposed severe sanctions on the firms in retaliation for doing work disfavored by
... Show Full Article
BALTIMORE, Maryland, April 4 -- Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown issued the following news release on April 3, 2026:
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Attorney General Brown Supports Law Firms Targeted for Retribution by Trump Administration
Coalition Files Brief Backing Challenge of Unconstitutional Executive Orders that Undermine the Rule of Law
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Attorney General Anthony G. Brown joined a coalition of 20 attorneys general today in filing an amicus brief supporting law firms challenging unconstitutional executive orders that imposed severe sanctions on the firms in retaliation for doing work disfavored bythe Trump administration.
"No administration should be able to punish lawyers for representing clients or taking positions it finds inconvenient," said Attorney General Brown. "When the government silences legal advocates, it silences the people who depend on them, and that is a threat that we have a duty to oppose."
In March and April of 2025, President Donald Trump issued executive orders retaliating against law firms whose advocacy, clients, and personnel he dislikes. These orders required federal officials to suspend any active security clearances held by individuals at the law firms, to refuse to engage with or hire employees of these firms, and to deny the law firms' personnel entry to federal buildings. The orders also directed federal contractors to disclose any business they do with the law firms so that agencies can terminate any contract with the firms.
Each of the targeted law firms that challenged the executive orders was successful, and now the administration has appealed those decisions. The coalition filed a brief in support of the law firms in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.
Attorney General Brown and the coalition argue that the administration's unconstitutional actions are a gross abuse of authority, threaten the rule of law, and violate the First Amendment. They note that a fair and functioning judicial system depends on lawyers being willing to work on controversial cases or represent unpopular clients without fearing retribution by the government. The attorneys general further argue that the orders will harm the residents of their states by making it more difficult for many potential clients - especially those who currently rely on pro bono representation - to obtain legal services and vindicate their rights in court.
Joining Attorney General Brown in filing the brief are the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington.
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Original text here: https://oag.maryland.gov/News/pages/Attorney-General-Brown-Supports-Law-Firms-Targeted-for-Retribution-by-Trump-Administration--.aspx
Md. A.G. Brown Challenges Unlawful Executive Order Attempting to Exert Federal Control Over Elections
BALTIMORE, Maryland, April 4 -- Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown issued the following news release on April 3, 2026:
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Attorney General Brown Challenges Unlawful Executive Order Attempting to Exert Federal Control Over Elections
Executive Order Threatens to Disenfranchise Eligible Voters and Violates States' Authority to Administer Elections
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Attorney General Anthony G. Brown today joined a coalition of 23 attorneys general and one governor in suing President Trump in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, challenging his unlawful Executive Order that attempts
... Show Full Article
BALTIMORE, Maryland, April 4 -- Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown issued the following news release on April 3, 2026:
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Attorney General Brown Challenges Unlawful Executive Order Attempting to Exert Federal Control Over Elections
Executive Order Threatens to Disenfranchise Eligible Voters and Violates States' Authority to Administer Elections
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Attorney General Anthony G. Brown today joined a coalition of 23 attorneys general and one governor in suing President Trump in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, challenging his unlawful Executive Order that attemptsto interfere with states' constitutional authority to administer elections by restricting voter eligibility and mail voting to lists of voters pre-authorized by the federal government.
"This blatantly unlawful Executive Order threatens to strip thousands of Marylanders of the right to vote. By threatening state election officials with criminal prosecution and enlisting the US Postal Service in this unconstitutional effort, President Trump is staging an unprecedented assault on the cornerstone of our democracy," said Attorney General Brown. "Our Office will not allow the President to weaponize the federal government to disenfranchise those who have a right to have their voice heard in the ballot box."
On March 31, President Trump signed an Executive Order attempting to establish a national list of eligible voters and directing the U.S. Postal Service, an independent federal agency, to transmit mail ballots only to those on the list. In the Order, the President threatens states and elections officials with criminal prosecution and the loss of federal funding if they do not comply with his demands. The attorneys general and governor argue that the Order would require states to act contrary to their own voter roll procedures, vote-by-mail systems, and voter registration laws.
State and federal law entitle all eligible voters to cast ballots and have their votes counted in state and federal elections. The states filing this lawsuit permit registered voters to cast their ballots by mail if they meet their state's requirements for doing so. Voters of all parties, in all states, and of every demographic utilize mail-in voting - including the President himself.
In their lawsuit, the coalition explains that the U.S. Constitution gives states the primary authority to administer elections. In contrast, the Constitution does not allow the President to unilaterally impose changes to federal election procedures, particularly without an act of Congress permitting him to do so.
Moreover, the administration of elections is highly complex and requires substantial planning and preparation. The attorneys general argue that the President's Executive Order would require states to upend their existing election administration procedures for upcoming elections and conduct statewide voter education at a dangerously quick pace - potentially within weeks of primary elections and mere months before the beginning of mail voting for the 2026 general election. The coalition argues that such drastic and rapid changes will undoubtedly create confusion, chaos, and distrust in state election systems, all while threatening to disenfranchise eligible voters.
The attorneys general and governor allege that the President's Executive Order violates the separation of powers and unlawfully interferes with states' mail voting programs. The coalition asks the court to prevent the federal government from implementing or enforcing the Executive Order.
Joining Attorney General Brown in filing this lawsuit are the attorneys general of California, Massachusetts, Nevada, Washington, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Wisconsin, and the Governor of Pennsylvania.
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Original text here: https://oag.maryland.gov/News/pages/Attorney-General-Brown-Challenges-Unlawful-Executive-Order-Attempting-to-Exert-Federal-Control-Over-Elections-.aspx
Ariz. A.G. Mayes and Secretary of State Fontes Sue Trump Administration Over Unlawful Executive Order Attempting to Exert Federal Control Over Elections
PHOENIX, Arizona, April 4 -- Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes issued the following news release on April 3, 2026:
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Attorney General Mayes and Secretary of State Fontes Sue Trump Administration over Unlawful Executive Order Attempting to Exert Federal Control over Elections
Arizona today joined a coalition of 23 other states suing President Trump in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, challenging his unlawful Executive Order that attempts to interfere with states' constitutional authority to administer elections by restricting voter eligibility and mail voting to
... Show Full Article
PHOENIX, Arizona, April 4 -- Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes issued the following news release on April 3, 2026:
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Attorney General Mayes and Secretary of State Fontes Sue Trump Administration over Unlawful Executive Order Attempting to Exert Federal Control over Elections
Arizona today joined a coalition of 23 other states suing President Trump in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, challenging his unlawful Executive Order that attempts to interfere with states' constitutional authority to administer elections by restricting voter eligibility and mail voting tolists of voters pre-authorized by the federal government.
"Millions of Independents, Republicans, and Democrats across Arizona have voted by mail for decades," said Attorney General Mayes. "In fact, over 80% of Arizona voters cast their ballots this way election after election. Military families vote by mail. Rural Arizonans vote by mail. Tribal members vote by mail. Donald Trump's executive order targets all of these voters. But the Constitution is absolutely clear: states run their elections. Not the President. And Arizona will not allow the federal government to seize control of our elections."
"The greatest threat to the safety and security of our elections is Donald Trump continuing to lie about them," Secretary of State Adrian Fontes stated. "Arizona's elections are run by Arizonans-our neighbors, our friends, and our family. This latest attack on vote-by-mail and voter privacy, is a direct attack not just on our voters but on our election administrators who work day-in and day-out to keep democracy running. For decades, Arizona's mail-in voting system has operated as the gold standard, serving the vast majority of voters each election season. It is critical that we reject the notion that access and security are mutually exclusive when it comes to running strong elections."
On March 31, President Trump signed an Executive Order attempting to establish a national list of eligible voters and directing the U.S. Postal Service, an independent federal agency, to transmit mail ballots only to those on the list. In the Order, the President threatens states and elections officials with criminal prosecution and the loss of federal funding if they do not comply with his demands. The attorneys general argue that the Order would require states to act contrary to their own voter roll procedures, vote-by-mail systems, and voter registration laws.
State and federal law entitle all eligible voters to cast ballots and have their votes counted in state and federal elections. The states filing this lawsuit permit registered voters to cast their ballots by mail if they meet their state's requirements for doing so. Voters of all parties, in all states, and of every demographic utilize mail-in voting - including the President himself.
In their lawsuit, the coalition explains that the U.S. Constitution gives states the primary authority to administer elections. In contrast, the Constitution does not allow the President to unilaterally impose changes to federal election procedures, particularly without an act of Congress permitting him to do so.
Moreover, the administration of elections is highly complex and requires substantial planning and preparation. The attorneys general argue that the President's Executive Order would require states to upend their existing election administration procedures for upcoming elections and conduct statewide voter education at a dangerously quick pace - potentially within weeks of primary elections and mere months before the beginning of mail voting for the 2026 general election. The coalition argues that such drastic and rapid changes will undoubtedly create confusion, chaos, and distrust in state election systems, all while threatening to disenfranchise eligible voters.
No excuse vote-by-mail was passed in Arizona in 1991, created by a Republican legislature and signed into law by a Republican governor. Arizona then doubled down on our innovative expansion of early voting options in 2007, ensuring that all eligible voters had the ability to automatically and permanently receive their ballot by mail.
The attorneys general allege that the President's Executive Order violates the separation of powers and unlawfully interferes with states' mail voting programs. The coalition asks the court to prevent the federal government from implementing or enforcing the Executive Order.
Joining Attorney General Mayes in filing this lawsuit, which was led by Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell, California Attorney General Rob Bonta, Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford, and Washington Attorney General Nick Brown, are the attorneys general of Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Wisconsin, and the Governor of Pennsylvania.
A copy of the complaint is available below.
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Attachments
1. 2026.04.03 - Cal (https://www.azag.gov/sites/default/files/2026-04/1.%202026.04.03%20-%20California%20v%20Trump%20-%20Complaint.pdf)
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Original text here: https://www.azag.gov/press-release/attorney-general-mayes-and-secretary-state-fontes-sue-trump-administration-over
