Court temporarily blocks Trump order on voter citizenship

A Massachusetts judge issued a preliminary injunction on Friday stopping President Donald Trump’s executive order on elections from taking effect. Trump’s March order would require voters in federal elections to present documentary, government-issued proof of citizenship during the registration process. The order also would require federal agencies like the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of State to give states access to databases for verifying voters’ eligibility and citizenship. State attorneys general also must prioritize the prosecution of noncitizen voters and states must only count absentee ballots received by Election Day, according to the March order now on hold.

The Friday ruling came after a group of 19 attorneys general filed a lawsuit alleging the order was unconstitutional. Trump’s order usurped state powers and illegally amended election law, according to the April complaint. The White House argued that the order strengthened free and fair elections by reemphasizing what it called the common sense requirement of citizenship to vote.

What was the judge’s rationale? U.S. District Judge Denise J. Casper noted that the Constitution does not grant the president powers over elections, according to the order’s memorandum. There’s no debating that citizenship is required to vote in a federal election, but only Congress has authority over election requirements, not the president, Casper wrote. He also conceded to the states’ argument that imposing Trump’s new election policies would require significant efforts and resources from the states. 

Dig deeper: Read Travis K. Kircher’s report for more background on Trump’s order.