Torrez asks court to block Trump order restricting mail voting
A coalition including New Mexico says a Trump executive order would force new voter eligibility lists and restrict mail ballots, raising concerns about state authority and election oversight.
New Mexico joins multi-state push to halt federal effort that would require voter eligibility lists and limit how mail ballots are handled.
Organ Mountain News report
ALBUQUERQUE - A coalition of states, including New Mexico, is asking a federal court to permanently block parts of a Trump administration order that would reshape how mail voting is handled across the country.
The legal challenge centers on an executive order that, according to the states, would require the creation of federal voter eligibility lists and restrict the handling of mail ballots based on those lists — changes the coalition argues intrude on powers traditionally held by states.
New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez joined 22 other attorneys general, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro in filing a motion seeking a final ruling without a trial.
Torrez said the order crosses constitutional lines by shifting control of election processes to the federal government.
“Our democracy depends on fair access to the ballot, and that includes lawful, accessible mail voting options,” Torrez said. “We are asking the Court to put a permanent stop to this unlawful interference and reaffirm that election administration belongs to the states — not the federal government.”
The filing argues the order would require states and the U.S. Postal Service to compile and rely on voter eligibility lists for mail ballots, and could prevent ballots from being delivered if voters are not included on those lists.
The coalition also says the changes could force states to absorb new administrative costs, expose election officials to legal risk and undermine public confidence in election systems.
The court has set a May 7 deadline for the Trump administration to respond. A hearing is scheduled for June 2.
California, Massachusetts, Nevada and Washington co-led the motion, joined by attorneys general from Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia and Wisconsin.
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