Federal vs. state power at issue in a hearing in Boston over Trump’s election overhaul executive order

Democratic state attorneys general filed a lawsuit seeking to block President Donald Trump’s sweeping proposal to overhaul U.S. elections. They argue that the executive order infringes on states’ rights to set their own election rules and exceeds the executive branch’s authority. The lawsuit, supported by a bipartisan group of former secretaries of state, claims that Trump’s directive undermines the system established by the Constitution’s Elections Clause. The order includes requirements for proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote, restrictions on mail-in ballots, and rules for voting equipment. The lawsuit is one of three challenging the executive order, with concerns raised about potential disenfranchisement of eligible voters. The Justice Department defends the order as necessary to ensure fair elections, while opponents argue it could lead to executive overreach.