Attorney Marc Elias escalates the debate over election integrity by challenging Wyoming’s voter registration law based on constitutional grounds.
At a Glance
- Wyoming’s new law requires proof of citizenship for voter registration.
- Marc Elias, ACLU, and Equality State Policy Center claim the law burdens voters.
- State government argues the law strengthens election integrity.
- The lawsuit contends it violates First and Fourteenth Amendments.
Wyoming’s Voter Registration Law Under Fire
Marc Elias has filed a lawsuit contesting Wyoming’s new voter registration law, which mandates proof of U.S. citizenship. This requirement compels would-be voters to present a passport, birth certificate, or naturalization papers, going beyond the existing necessity of vouching for eligibility. Passed in Wyoming’s House (51-8) and Senate (26-4), the law came into effect without the governor’s approval. Elias is backed by the Equality State Policy Center and the ACLU, both advocating constitutional protections.
State officials argue the law ensures fair elections. Meanwhile, Elias and co-plaintiffs challenge the provision as unconstitutional, citing undue burdens especially impacting marginalized groups. They claim the legislation infringes on the First and Fourteenth Amendments, alleging it could disenfranchise women, young people, Hispanic and low-income communities.
Debating Constitutional Implications
The legal challenge accuses the law of placing unnecessary demands on voters that may inhibit participation. Criticisms include difficulties in acquiring citizenship documents, which over 21 million Americans reportedly lack easy access to. The argument pivots on constitutional rights, claiming the requirement disproportionately affects certain demographics, akin to federal debates on executive orders.
“We are a democracy — not a monarchy — and this Executive Order is an authoritarian power grab. With this Order, this President is prioritizing his own quest for unchecked power above the rights and will of the public.” – New York Attorney General Letitia James.
Wyoming Secretary of State Chuck Gray criticizes the lawsuit, viewing it as an obstruction to laws designed to uphold election integrity. Gray and others stand firm on the intent of election fortification, in line with Republican support for federal legislation requiring proof of citizenship for voter enrollment—a point of contention aligning with former President Trump’s stance on election fraud prevention.
A Broader Context
This legal battle emerges amid a backdrop of heightened scrutiny over voting regulations across the U.S. As nineteen states contest President Trump’s executive order on voting systems, claiming overreach and unconstitutional hazards, tensions heighten. This broader dispute encapsulates arguments on state jurisdiction over election processes and potential voter disenfranchisement, with federal implications as lawsuits are consolidated, signaling ongoing legal and political clashes.
“Why are top Democrats suing to allow non-citizens to vote in American elections? You know why.” – U.S. Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah.
The debate carries significance for election security advocates and civil liberty defenders, each pushing for contrasting visions of what constitutes free and fair electoral practices. This landmark case in Wyoming could set a precedent, influencing both legislation and litigation in states tackling similar voter registration challenges.
