For Immediate Release

Contact: press@votingrightslab.org

WASHINGTON — Today, President Donald Trump issued an executive order seeking to impose massive restrictions on Americans’ ability to participate in free and fair elections by claiming unprecedented, unilateral executive branch power over how our elections are run. Under the U.S. Constitution, only the states and Congress may set the rules for our elections.

Voting Rights Lab Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer Sam Tarazi issued the following statement in response: 

“President Trump’s executive order is more than a direct affront to our Constitution and the checks and balances that have secured our elections for generations. It attempts to wrap our state-run elections in massive federal government red tape, while handing Elon Musk the keys to sensitive state voter registration lists and systems.  

“We are confident this executive order will not stand up to scrutiny by the courts or by the American people. Americans support rigorous checks and balances, they support the bipartisan teams of officials that faithfully carry out our elections, and they oppose efforts by politicians to meddle in these processes for their own perceived benefit.” 

Voting Rights Lab is a nonpartisan, 501(c)(3) nonprofit, state-focused organization with a national perspective. Our comprehensive election policy analysis, research, and data provide uniquely actionable insights to our partners and the public.