The judge decided that the implementation of the executive order has not proceeded far enough at this time to warrant a preliminary injunction. However, the ruling leaves open the possibility of a preliminary injunction when the administration takes further actions toward implementing the order. Unfortunately, in the meantime, the order will continue to impose undue burdens on voters and impede those who seek to protect their rights.
Robert Weiner, a plaintiff’s attorney and director of the Voting Rights Project at the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, said, “This executive order will cause a catastrophic train wreck in our elections. The judge held that not enough has happened yet to justify a preliminary injunction. That approach is risky, but we will be watching the government’s actions closely, and we will be ready to act if and when it moves further on implementing this anti-democratic scheme.”
“This case is only the beginning of what will be a long fight ahead. The NAACP is not deterred by this ruling — we will continue to defend the right to vote and use every tool at our disposal. This ruling serves as a reminder for everyone to make a plan to vote. Make sure you are registered, and ask your friends and family to do the same. We will need to vote in historic numbers to confront the Trump Administration’s attempts to rig the system against us,” said Derrick Johnson, NAACP President and CEO.
“Refusing to block this executive order until more harm is done needlessly jeopardizes the freedom to vote for millions of Americans,” said Omar H. Noureldin, senior vice president of policy and litigation at Common Cause. “Waiting to act is like trying to put up a smoke detector while the house is already on fire. We’ll use every legal avenue at our disposal to protect voters now, not wait until the damage is permanent.”
“Widespread chaos and confusion is the goal of this executive order. This administration desperately wants to prevent voters from casting a ballot this November, and the courts’ failure to block this EO is another example of putting politics over people,” said Cliff Albright, co-founder of Black Voters Matter. “We will continue to utilize all legal avenues and relational organizing efforts to reduce the harm caused to our communities.”
