Federal Judge Blocks Key Citizenship Requirement in Trump's Voting Order

A federal judge has partially blocked President Donald Trump’s executive order aimed at overhauling the U.S. election process, specifically halting provisions that would have required voters to provide proof of U.S. citizenship when registering for federal elections. Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly ruled that the power to regulate federal elections lies with Congress and the states, not the President, and cited concerns that the requirement could disenfranchise eligible voters lacking documentation. Lawsuits challenging the order were brought by Democratic organizations and voting rights groups, who argued that the measure would suppress voter participation. While the judge blocked the proof-of-citizenship mandate and a related provision affecting voter registration through public assistance agencies, she allowed other parts of the executive order to proceed, including those tightening mail-in ballot deadlines and increasing data sharing between federal agencies and states. The ruling represents a significant setback for Trump’s efforts to reshape election regulations under the banner of election integrity. The debate highlights ongoing partisan divides over how best to safeguard U.S. elections without restricting access for eligible voters.