Nation’s Oldest and Largest Latino Civil Rights Organization Rises to Confront One of the Gravest Threats To the Constitutional Right to Vote with Powerful Court Challenge
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) announced the filing of a federal lawsuit Monday challenging an executive order issued by President Donald Trump that seeks to impose sweeping and unlawful changes to the administration of U.S. elections. The lawsuit defends the right to vote for all American citizens. It states the executive order strips away long-standing protections for fair and free elections.
The executive order mandates proof of citizenship to register to vote in federal elections and limits mail-in voting with unrealistic deadlines. It directs federal agencies to police state voter rolls that threaten to disenfranchise millions of eligible voters, including veterans, students, seniors, and Latino citizens. More than 21 million Americans cannot access the additional documents required to register to vote under the purported rules of this executive order.
“LULAC is taking this legal action not to oppose any individual or party but to uphold the sacred principles that define our democracy,” said LULAC National President and Chairman Roman Palomares. “The right to vote is not a partisan issue. It is the foundation of our republic and must be protected against any attempt—no matter how powerful the source—that seeks to undermine it.”
Furthermore, the executive order bypasses the Election Assistance Commission’s lawful role in managing federal voter registration processes. The lawsuit argues that the president does not have constitutional authority to rewrite election laws by executive order. Also, the lawsuit states that the president and the Secretary of Defense do not have the authority under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) to require additional documentation on the postcard application that military and overseas voters use to register to vote and request an absentee ballot.
“For nearly 100 years, LULAC has stood proudly for civic engagement, community participation, and the full inclusion of Latino citizens in American public life,” continued Palomares. “We are not fighting against something—we are fighting for something: the right of every eligible citizen to be heard, to be counted, and to shape the future of our nation through the ballot box. That is what democracy demands.”
LULAC is joined in the lawsuit by the Secure Families Initiative and the Arizona Students’ Association, represented by the Campaign Legal Center and State Democracy Defenders Fund. Together, they seek immediate judicial intervention to block the enforcement of the executive order’s most harmful provisions before they can take effect. Every state already has strict laws and safeguards to ensure only U.S. citizens can register and vote.
“We are calling on all Americans, regardless of political affiliation, to stand with us,” concluded Palomares. “The executive order clearly targets naturalized citizens who have worked hard to gain citizenship and vote freedom. LULAC again challenges an attack on our civil rights as guaranteed by the Constitution. This battle is not about left or right. Our legal action is about right and wrong.”
About LULAC
The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is the nation’s oldest and largest Latino civil rights organization. Founded in 1929, LULAC is committed to advancing the rights and opportunities of Latino Americans through advocacy, community building, and education. With a growing network of councils nationwide, LULAC remains steadfast in its mission to protect and empower millions of Latinos, contributing daily to America’s prosperity. For more information about LULAC and its initiatives, please visit www.LULAC.org.
