Federal Actions Threatening Elections and Voting

On March 25, President Trump signed an executive order titled: Preserving and Protecting the Integrity of American Elections. Though likely unconstitutional, if upheld the order would require proof of citizenship to register to vote, bar states from accepting mail-in ballots after Election Day, and more. Voting rights advocates and civic organizations across the country, including the ACLU and The Leadership Conference on Civil Human Rights, have raised concerns that these orders create significant barriers to voting. Additionally, the order also would withhold federal funding from states that refuse to comply. Nonprofit Vote has produced a blog detailing all the proposed changes to elections and voting. Philanthropy for Active Civic Engagement has also published a guide for foundations detailing actions to take to push back against the executive order. 

The executive order also includes language that seeks to limit the lobbying power of nonprofits who receive federal funding. Federal law currently does not prohibit nonprofits that receive federal grants from lobbying. The North Carolina Council on Nonprofits wrote a comprehensive blog post about the proposed changes and current federal law.

MCF is working with our democracy partners to assess this situation and the potential impact of Minnesota and our election system. We will share more information at a future date.

Call to Action:

We encourage members and individuals who are able, to tell congress to vote "NO" on the SAVE Act, H.R. 22. Like the new executive order, The SAVE Act would amend the National Voter Registration Act to require documentary proof of citizenship to register to vote in federal elections and contains numerous other harmful provisions designed to restrict participation by lawfully registered voters. The proposal would disenfranchise millions of American citizens, make it harder for rural voters to cast a ballot, and creates challenges for married women to vote and more. While the executive order is most likely to be challenged in the courts, if the SAVE Act were to be enacted by Congress, it would have a better chance to be upheld. 

MCF joined organizations across the country in sending this joint letter asking Congress to oppose the SAVE Act in February. We will continue to monitor this issue and share opportunities for action.