Judge blocks Trump’s citizenship vote order and mail limits

On a recent ruling, a federal judge in Massachusetts delivered a significant blow to President Donald Trump’s executive order aimed at reforming election procedures across the United States. Judge Denise Casper granted a preliminary injunction that blocks certain provisions of this order, specifically the requirement for voters to present written proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote. This ruling also stops Trump’s directive that would prevent states from counting mail-in ballots that arrive after Election Day, although it applies exclusively to the states involved in the lawsuit.

Despite existing prohibitions against non-citizens voting in federal elections, opponents of the executive order argue that the new requirements could discourage eligible voters from registering. The ruling highlights concerns about how the lack of accessible documentation—such as birth certificates or passports—can affect various groups, including college students and immigrants.

Casper, who was appointed during Barack Obama’s presidency, emphasized that the executive order would impose significant burdens on states. The judge’s decision pointed out that the changes demanded in voter registration procedures would incur substantial costs and complicate the registration process for eligible voters, many of whom lack easy access to the forms of identification the order mandates.

The legal challenge against Trump’s election executive order includes multiple states: California, Nevada, Massachusetts, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin. This lawsuit is one among several that contest the legality and implications of the executive order.

Additionally, a separate federal ruling in Washington, D.C., has already struck down the provision requiring voters to provide documents to prove their citizenship, indicating a broader legal push against such measures during Trump’s tenure.

Source: CNN

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