A federal judge permanently blocked most of President Donald Trump’s executive order seeking to overhaul federal election procedures, ruling that the president exceeded his constitutional authority by attempting to impose new voting requirements on states.
U.S. District Judge Denise Casper, an appointee of former President Joe Biden, converted a preliminary injunction issued last year into a permanent ruling against several of the order’s major provisions. The decision marks a significant setback for the Trump administration’s efforts to implement nationwide election integrity measures.
In her 75-page opinion, Casper concluded that the Constitution grants authority over elections primarily to states and Congress, not the president.
“(The Constitution) does not grant the President any specific powers over elections,” Casper wrote.
The executive order sought to enact several changes, including requiring documentary proof of citizenship for voter registration, preventing states from counting mail ballots that arrive after Election Day, and withholding certain federal funds from states that refused to comply with the new standards.
The administration argued that the lawsuit challenging the order was premature because many of the proposed changes had not yet been implemented. Casper rejected that argument, finding that states had standing to challenge the order before it took effect.
The lawsuit was brought by a coalition of Democratic attorneys general who argued that the president lacked the authority to unilaterally alter election rules established by state governments and federal law.
Supporters of the executive order argued that the measures would strengthen election security by ensuring that only American citizens participate in federal elections. Proof-of-citizenship requirements have become a central issue in ongoing debates over election integrity.
The ruling arrives as congressional Republicans continue pushing election reform legislation, including the SAVE America Act, which would require voters to provide government-issued identification when casting ballots in federal elections.
The decision also highlights the increasingly active role federal courts have played in election disputes. Judge Casper has previously ruled against several Trump administration policies, and her latest decision is expected to be appealed.
This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.
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