A federal judge on Friday blocked certain federal agencies from requesting citizenship status when distributing voter registration forms, marking a significant setback for President Donald Trump's executive order on elections.US District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly ruled that the Constitution's separation of powers grants states and Congress the authority to regulate election procedures, not the president.
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abcnews.go.comvotebeat.orgKollar-Kotelly's ruling specifically prohibits two provisions of the executive order that aimed to impose proof-of-citizenship requirements.The judge determined that federal agencies could not "assess citizenship" before providing voter registration forms to individuals enrolling in public assistance programs.Additionally, the decision stated that the Secretary of Defense cannot require documentary proof of citizenship for military personnel registering to vote or requesting ballots.
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clickondetroit.comusnews.comDanielle Lang, a voting rights expert with the Campaign Legal Center, emphasized the importance of the ruling, stating, "Our democracy works best when all Americans can participate, including members of our military and their families living overseas".
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abcnews.go.comThe ruling was celebrated as a measure that upholds the separation of powers and protects the voting rights of overseas military families.In response, the White House defended the executive order as a necessary step for "election security" and expressed intentions to appeal the ruling.Abigail Jackson, a spokesperson for the White House, remarked, "Ensuring only citizens vote in our elections is a commonsense measure that everyone should be able to support".
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clickondetroit.comHowever, experts have noted that evidence of noncitizen voting is minimal, even among Republican officials.
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votebeat.orgusnews.comThis ruling is part of a larger pattern of legal challenges faced by Trump's election executive order, which has already encountered multiple setbacks in courts.In October, Kollar-Kotelly blocked the administration from adding a documentary proof of citizenship requirement to the federal voter registration form.Separate lawsuits from Democratic state attorneys general, particularly from Oregon and Washington, have also successfully challenged various aspects of Trump's order, especially concerning mail-in voting procedures.
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abcnews.go.comclickondetroit.comThe executive order, signed in March 2022, aimed to overhaul election rules across the nation, including prohibiting the counting of ballots postmarked by Election Day if received afterward.Judge Kollar-Kotelly's ruling not only addresses the citizenship provisions but also reiterates the principle that election regulations should be determined by states, not unilaterally imposed by the federal government.
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thedailyrecord.comLegal analysts suggest that Trump's executive order represents an overreach of presidential authority, as it attempts to amend election law without congressional approval.David Becker, an election lawyer, commented that as courts scrutinize the executive order, it becomes increasingly evident that the president has exceeded his constitutional authority.
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votebeat.orgthedailyrecord.comAs the ruling unfolds, the Trump administration is reportedly considering a second executive order concerning elections, although details remain unclear.The ongoing legal battles suggest that Trump's efforts to reshape election laws may face significant hurdles in the courts, which are reinforcing established legal precedents regarding election administration.
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abcnews.go.comvotebeat.orgThe implications of this ruling extend beyond Trump’s immediate agenda; it may set a precedent for how federal and state powers interact regarding electoral processes.As states continue to push back against federal overreach, it remains critical for voters and legal experts to monitor the evolution of these decisions and their impact on future elections in the US.
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clickondetroit.comusnews.comIn summary, Judge Kollar-Kotelly's ruling serves as a reminder of the constitutional balance of power in electoral matters, affirming that election procedures are primarily under the purview of states and Congress, not the executive branch.The ongoing legal challenges against Trump’s executive order underscore the complexities involved in US election laws and the ever-evolving landscape of voting rights.
