Attorney General Alan Wilson defends President Trump's executive order on election integrity

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – Today, Attorney General Alan Wilson joined Missouri and 10 other states in a motion to intervene to defend a presidential executive order that would allow access to resources that would verify voter-registration lists against lawfare from left-wing activists.

On March 31, 2026, President Trump issued Executive Order No. 14399, entitled “Ensuring Citizenship Verification and Integrity in Federal Elections,” to assist the states in guarding their elections. Left-leaning activists and progressive states immediately challenged the order, claiming it represents a federal intrusion on state authority over elections. These nonsensical claims attempt to derail an opportunity for states to work alongside the federal government on election integrity and to ensure voter rolls are accurate, secure, and up to date.

“As Attorney General, I have continued to fight to secure our elections in South Carolina,” Attorney General Wilson stated. “It is vital to the strength of our republic that we ensure only American citizens vote in our elections and that mail-in and absentee ballots are secure and reliable.”

The executive order aims to enhance election security through two main initiatives. It mandates federal agencies to compile a "State Citizenship List" for state election officials, listing potential voters who are confirmed U.S. citizens, over 18, and residents of the state. South Carolina and other states are advocating for access to this list to ensure voter-registration records are accurate.

Additionally, the order instructs the U.S. Postal Service to develop rules for mail-in and absentee ballots, improving their security and reliability. This includes using tracking barcodes on "Official Election Mail," allowing states to provide lists of eligible absentee voters, and prohibiting the transmission of ballots from unidentified individuals.

South Carolina and the other states are fighting for access to these resources and to work alongside the federal government in guarding the integrity of American elections. The Motion to Intervene was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia and the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts.

In addition to Attorney General Wilson, attorneys general from the following states joined the Missouri-led filing: Alabama, Florida, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Montana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Texas.

The full Motion to Intervene can be read here.