Judge blocks additional citizenship provisions in latest setback to Trump's election executive order

"U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly in Washington ruled that the Constitution's separation of powers, giving states and to an extent Congress authority over setting election rules, are at the heart of the case. "Put simply, our Constitution does not allow the President to impose unilateral changes to federal election procedures," wrote the judge, an appointee of former President Bill Clinton."

"Specifically, Kollar-Kotelly permanently blocked two provisions of the executive order that sought to impose proof-of-citizenship rules. Her decision said agencies will not be allowed to "assess citizenship" before providing a federal voter registration form to people enrolling in public assistance programs. It also said the Secretary of Defense cannot require documentary proof of citizenship when military personnel register to vote or request ballots."

""Our democracy works best when all Americans can participate, including members of our military and their families living overseas. Today's ruling removes a very real threat to the freedom to vote for overseas military families and upholds the separation of powers," said Danielle Lang, a voting rights expert with the Campaign Legal Center, which is representing plaintiffs in the case."

A federal judge ruled that the Constitution's separation of powers limits the President's ability to unilaterally change federal election procedures. The judge permanently blocked two provisions of the executive order that would have imposed proof-of-citizenship requirements. Agencies may not "assess citizenship" before providing federal voter registration forms to people enrolling in public assistance programs. The Secretary of Defense may not require documentary proof of citizenship when military personnel register to vote or request ballots. The Campaign Legal Center said the ruling protects overseas military families' voting freedom. The White House said the order aimed at election security and plans further action.

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