On April 2, 2025, the Democratic National Committee (DNC), along with Senator Chuck Schumer and Representative Hakeem Jeffries, filed a federal lawsuit against former President Donald Trump.
Their reason? They’re challenging his recent executive order that aims to stop non-citizens from voting in U.S. elections.
Now, to most Americans, that might sound like a no-brainer — of course only citizens should vote.
But this legal fight highlights the deep divide over what election integrity really means and who gets to decide how we protect it.
Democrat House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries says a bill ensuring only American citizens vote in our elections is “voter suppression.”
How is it voter suppression to allow only citizens to vote in our elections?? pic.twitter.com/VpvDC1d96L
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) April 2, 2025
What’s in Trump’s Executive Order?
The order, signed in late March, directs federal agencies to work with state governments to make sure only U.S. citizens are registered to vote.
It includes new requirements for voter registration systems to verify citizenship and encourages states to use tools like the SAVE database — the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements — to help confirm who is eligible.
Trump said the goal is simple: “One citizen, one vote.”
He argued that elections must be secure, fair, and trusted by the public.
The Lawsuit: What Democrats Are Saying
The DNC and top Democrats are calling the order “an unconstitutional power grab.”
Their lawsuit claims that Trump doesn’t have the authority to impose voter rules on states — especially since the Constitution gives states the power to manage their own elections.
They’re also worried that requiring proof of citizenship might discourage eligible voters, especially in minority communities.
Sen. Schumer called it “a thinly veiled attempt at voter suppression,” while Rep. Jeffries said it would “put up unnecessary roadblocks for people trying to exercise their right to vote.”
Here’s the Thing: Voter ID Is Popular
Despite the lawsuit, support for voter ID and proof of citizenship is strong — and not just among conservatives.
According to a 2024 Pew Research Center poll, 81% of Americans support requiring voters to show a government-issued photo ID before casting a ballot.
And even among Democrats, nearly half support some form of ID requirement.
A Rasmussen Reports survey in March 2024 also found that 65% of likely U.S. voters support requiring proof of citizenship to vote in federal elections.
That doesn’t sound like “voter suppression” — it sounds like common sense.
The SAVE Act: Another Front in the Fight
The lawsuit also comes as House Republicans push forward with the SAVE Act (Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act).
This bill would require states to verify citizenship before registering anyone to vote in federal elections.
Democrats have been quick to label it a form of “voter suppression,” though the bill’s backers argue it simply enforces the law that only citizens can vote — something already written into the Constitution.
In 2023, a watchdog group in Colorado found that over 60 non-citizens had been registered to vote — and some even voted — despite state laws against it.
While these numbers may seem small, some believe even one illegal vote disenfranchises a legal one.
Why It Matters
At the heart of this debate is a basic question: Should non-citizens have any role in choosing our leaders?
For most conservatives — and many independents — the answer is a clear “no.”
It’s not about blocking access or being anti-immigrant. It’s about keeping elections honest, secure, and limited to those who have a legal right to participate.
After all, if we don’t require proof of citizenship, what’s stopping someone from voting who shouldn’t?
Most Americans need ID to buy cough medicine or get on a plane — shouldn’t something as important as voting have at least the same level of protection?
What Happens Next?
The courts will now decide whether Trump’s executive order goes too far, but this legal battle is likely just the beginning.
With the 2026 midterms around the corner, expect more fights over election laws, voting access, and ballot security.
Critics may call these efforts “suppression,” but supporters say they’re about preservation — preserving the value of citizenship, the meaning of a vote, and the trust Americans place in their elections.
This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
