DNC sues Trump administration over last-minute changes to overseas voting form

Key Points:

• The Democratic National Committee (DNC) filed a lawsuit accusing the Trump administration of illegally changing the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) form used by overseas voters, specifically removing the option for US citizens who have never lived in the country to request absentee ballots.
• The Pentagon made emergency requests in August to eliminate this option, which were rapidly approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), citing the need to avoid voter confusion and the impending election deadline.
• The DNC argues that the change violates the Administrative Procedure Act by bypassing required procedures such as public comment and that it aims to disenfranchise eligible overseas voters, particularly those born abroad who have never resided in the US.
• Legal challenges by Republicans in several states have sought to block votes from citizens who have never lived in the US, with mixed court rulings; the Pentagon’s form change aligns with these efforts, drawing criticism from voting rights advocates.
• Approximately 2.2 million US citizens live abroad and are eligible to vote, with an estimated 11% participation in 2024; the number of never-resident citizens is smaller but believed to be growing, prompting concerns about their voting rights being restricted.