Voting Rights Groups Respond to Executive Order Aimed at Disenfranchising Millions
Media Contacts:
Becky Simon, LWVIL President, communications@lwvil.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CHICAGO, IL, March 27, 2025 — On Tuesday, March 25, President Donald Trump issued an executive order directing the national mail voter registration form to require documentary proof of citizenship, such as a passport, to register to vote. This order also attempts to force states to enact documentary proof of citizenship requirements and to stop counting absentee and mail-in ballots received after Election Day—in violation of Illinois law, threatening to withhold federal funding if states do not comply.
In response to the executive order, a group of voting rights advocates including the League of Women Voters of Illinois and the ACLU of Illinois released the following statement:
As organizations who have worked tirelessly to advance and expand access to the ballot across Illinois for many years, we condemn the President’s blatant overreach aimed at changing the progress we have made in our state. Donald Trump would disenfranchise millions of eligible voters—based on the lie that non-citizens are voting in large numbers. This executive order—like so many of Trump’s efforts—is blatantly illegal and attempts to substitute the conspiracy theories of the Trump White House for good policy measures we have adopted in Illinois.
With less than a week before voters across the State of Illinois go to the ballot box in critical important elections, no one should be confused or misled: the President’s order does not impact the ability of people to vote by mail or register on election day in our state for these elections. We encourage everyone who is eligible to participate and vote for candidates who reflect their values in these important local elections.
We encourage any voters with questions to call the nonpartisan Election Protection hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE (English), 888-VE-Y-VOTA (Spanish), 888-API-VOTE (Asian languages), or 844-YALLA-US (Arabic).
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The ACLU of Illinois has been the principal protector of constitutional rights in the state since its founding in 1926. The ACLU of Illinois is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting the liberties guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution, the state Constitution, and state/federal human rights laws. The ACLU accomplishes its goals through litigating, lobbying and educating the public on a broad array of civil liberties issues. For further information, visit aclu-il.org.
Founded in 1919, the League of Women Voters of Illinois is a nonpartisan organization that encourages informed and active participation in government. It influences public policy through education and advocacy and does not support or oppose any political parties or candidates. With over 100 years of experience and more than 800 local and state affiliations, the League is one of America’s most trusted grassroots organizations. Membership in the League is open to people ages 16 and over. For further information, visit lwvil.org.