Federal Judge Blocks Trump’s Citizenship Proof Requirement for Voters

A federal judge ruled on November 1, 2023, that President Donald Trump cannot enforce a requirement for documentary proof of citizenship on federal voter registration forms. The decision came from US District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly in Washington, DC, who sided with Democratic and civil rights organizations that challenged the Trump administration’s executive order aimed at overhauling US elections.

Judge Kollar-Kotelly declared that the citizenship proof requirement is an unconstitutional breach of the separation of powers. In her opinion, she emphasized that, “Because our Constitution assigns responsibility for election regulation to the States and to Congress, this Court holds that the President lacks the authority to direct such changes.” This ruling represents a significant setback for the Trump administration and its supporters, who contend that such measures are necessary to ensure that only eligible citizens participate in US elections.

The judge’s ruling grants the plaintiffs a partial summary judgment, which prevents the proof-of-citizenship requirement from being implemented. The decision also permanently bars the US Election Assistance Commission from taking any actions to add this requirement to the federal voter registration form.

Ongoing Legal Challenges

The lawsuit, initiated by the Democratic National Committee (DNC) alongside various civil rights groups, will continue as the court examines additional challenges to Trump’s executive order. One significant issue still under consideration is the requirement that all mailed ballots must be received by Election Day, rather than simply postmarked by that date.

Other lawsuits contesting Trump’s election-related executive order are also progressing. In early April, 19 Democratic state attorneys general petitioned a different federal court to refuse the enforcement of Trump’s order. Following this, the states of Washington and Oregon, which predominantly utilize mail-in ballots for voting, filed their own lawsuit against the executive order.

The legal battles surrounding voting regulations underscore the contentious nature of election policies in the United States. As the judiciary continues to evaluate these challenges, the implications for voter registration and election integrity remain at the forefront of national discourse.