Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill announced on Apr. 15 that the state has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) after the agency blocked Louisiana’s attempt to add state-specific instructions to the federal voter registration form. The requested changes were intended to allow election officials to verify that only United States citizens are registering to vote in Louisiana elections.
The issue centers on Act 500, enacted by the Louisiana Legislature in 2024, which requires proof of United States citizenship when submitting a voter registration application. After passing this law, Louisiana asked the EAC for permission to modify its section of the federal form so it could collect information necessary for verifying citizenship efficiently and lawfully. The EAC denied this request.
“Only citizens should vote in Louisiana elections. The Election Assistance Commission should not be getting in the way of the State’s sovereign right to protect the integrity of its elections,” said Attorney General Liz Murrill.
According to Murrill, blocking these changes interferes with Louisiana’s constitutional authority to set and enforce voter qualifications and is described as arbitrary and capricious in court filings. The lawsuit seeks a court order setting aside EAC’s decision, declaring it unlawful, and preventing federal authorities from stopping Louisiana from obtaining information needed for confirming voter eligibility.
The lawsuit is part of broader efforts by Murrill and her office; she has challenged what she calls federal overreach in more than 35 cases according to the official website. The Louisiana Department of Justice serves as the state’s primary legal office under an independently elected attorney general according to its official website, providing services statewide and focusing on protecting constitutional rights while offering legal resources for residents as noted by department sources.
The Department also works toward preserving state culture and heritage through various legal initiatives according to its official site. As this case proceeds, observers will watch how courts interpret both state sovereignty regarding election laws and federal oversight.
