Illinois has joined 23 other states in filing a lawsuit against President Donald Trump’s executive order that would restrict mail-in voting to a federal list of eligible voters.

The executive order, signed Tuesday, directs the Department of Homeland Security to work with states to compile a list of eligible voters, using citizenship records and identification data. The order mandates that the United States Postal Service only send mail-in ballots to registered voters on the DHS list, and threatens criminal prosecution and loss of federal funding to states and individuals who do not comply.

The lawsuit was filed in Massachusetts in partnership with 23 other Democrat-led states, who argue the constitution leaves the right to administer and oversee elections to states, not the federal government. Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul contended the executive order will “disenfranchise voters” and cause “chaos” in elections.

“President Trump’s executive order is a blatantly unconstitutional attempt to undermine our elections and disenfranchise voters all across the country.” Raoul and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison said in a joint statement earlier this week. “Mail-in voting has always been a secure way to vote, and for many, the only way they can vote. Make no mistake, his attempts to attack free and fair elections will fail because Democratic AGs will use every tool we have to continue to hold President Trump accountable when he violates the rule of law and attacks states’ rights.”

Attorneys general involved in the lawsuit said the order would drastically alter their states’ current election practices a few months ahead of the 2026 midterms in November, leaving states without enough time to properly adapt to the new system.

Trump has long criticized mail-in voting and pushed for stricter voting regulations over unfounded concerns of widespread voter fraud. At a signing event for the executive order, Trump said the move aims to cut back on “cheating” in mail-in voting, despite there being no evidence of signficant voter fraud through mail ballots.

“It’s horrible what’s going on,” Trump said. “I think this will help a lot with elections.”