Attorney General Charity Clark announced on Apr. 3 that she has joined a group of 23 attorneys general and one governor in filing a lawsuit against President Trump, challenging an executive order related to mail-in voting. The lawsuit contests the president’s directive, which restricts voter eligibility and mail voting to individuals pre-authorized by a federal list.
The issue is significant because it centers on states’ constitutional authority to manage their own elections. The coalition argues that the executive order undermines state procedures for maintaining voter rolls, administering vote-by-mail systems, and enforcing voter registration laws.
According to the press release, the executive order signed earlier in the week seeks to establish a national list of eligible voters and directs the U.S. Postal Service to send ballots only to those included on this list. States and election officials are threatened with criminal prosecution or loss of federal funding if they do not comply.
“This Executive Order is plainly unconstitutional,” said Attorney General Clark. “The Constitution makes clear that states have the power to run their own elections, and it does not authorize the President to interfere in state election administration. I will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with Secretary of State Copeland Hanzas to protect free and fair elections in Vermont. I remain steadfast in my commitment to defend the Constitution and safeguard your right to vote.”
Secretary Sarah Copeland Hanzas also commented: “Vermont law prescribes how citizens register and vote and the notion that a Federal Agency would create a list of approved voters is preposterous. As Vermont’s Chief Election Officer I intend to defend the right of every eligible voter in Vermont to cast their ballot in our free, fair, accessible, and secure elections. I am wholeheartedly on board with this litigation,” she said.
The lawsuit asserts that both state and federal law entitle all eligible voters—regardless of party or demographic—to cast ballots by mail if they meet state requirements for doing so, noting even President Trump has used mail-in voting himself.
In addition, the coalition claims that only Congress—not the president—has authority under the U.S. Constitution over changes in federal election procedures. They allege that this executive order violates separation of powers principles by unlawfully interfering with states’ established programs for mail-in voting.
Joining Attorney General Clark are attorneys general from Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York North Carolina Oregon Rhode Island Virginia Washington Wisconsin as well as Pennsylvania’s governor.
This marks Attorney General Clark’s 48th case against actions taken by President Trump since January 2025.
