In a new case of an activist judge countering the president, the attempt to bolster electoral integrity through the Trump administration’s proof of citizenship for voter registration has been temporarily halted by a federal court.
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Civil rights advocates argue it could disenfranchise eligible voters, particularly minorities and the disadvantaged.
U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly granted a preliminary injunction against the Trump administration’s policy change regarding proof of citizenship for voter registration.
This decision reflects concerns that the mandate could undermine voter participation, especially among vulnerable groups.
However, the administration argues that this measure is essential to prevent electoral fraud and maintain public trust in U.S. elections.
The ruling comes in response to lawsuits filed by national Democrats and nonpartisan organizations.
They argue that the executive order, which enforces proof of citizenship, violates the Constitution’s Elections Clause, granting states authority over elections.
As the legal challenges proceed, the court’s halt underscores the ongoing debate over who controls the electoral process and how far presidential orders can go.
The federal judge also blocked parts of Trump’s executive order requiring citizenship assessment for public assistance enrollees before accessing voter registration.
Judge Kollar-Kotelly sided with voting rights groups and Democrats, emphasizing that federal lawmakers, not the president, have the power to enact such changes.
State and local election officials are now assessing the impact of this ruling, KCCI notes in a report.
The ruling paused efforts to implement the mandate, seen by some as crucial to restoring election confidence.
Voter registration drives feared complications due to the citizenship requirement.
Democrat requests to halt tightening mail ballot deadlines and voter list reviews using immigration databases were denied.
These decisions leave several elements of the order’s impact intact, preserving certain administrative prerogatives at the state level.
Critics warn that requiring proof of citizenship could disenfranchise significant groups of voters.
This aligns with assertions by organizations like the ACLU, which claims that the order propagates unfounded conspiracy theories and hinders people without passports or similar documents from voting.
The Trump administration insists the injunction was unnecessary as no aspects of the order were yet implemented.
“Few things are more sacred to a free society or more essential to democracy than the protection of its election systems,” reacted Harmeet Dhillon, assistant attorney general for civil rights, cited by AP.
Judge blocks parts of Trump's overhaul of US elections, including proof-of-citizenship requirement | Click on the image to read the full story https://t.co/YbZ601vojY
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