A federal judge has recently ruled to halt parts of President Trump’s executive order on voting, which has sparked significant debate. U.S. District Court Judge Denise Casper from Massachusetts made this decision on Friday, affirming a pause on a controversial requirement that voters provide proof of citizenship when registering to vote.
This ruling comes over a month after another judge had already put a stop to part of the same executive order. The requirement to show documents like a passport or birth certificate when using the national registration form was seen by many as an obstacle to voting.
Judge Casper’s ruling also blocked a provision that would have prevented states from counting mail ballots that are postmarked by Election Day but received later. The judge emphasized that the Constitution grants states the authority to set their own election rules, not the president.
In response to this decision, White House spokesperson Harrison Fields stated that President Trump will continue to advocate for what he calls "election integrity." Fields argued that verifying citizenship is a common-sense safeguard for elections.
The executive order had aimed to restrict funding for states that allow more flexible mail ballot deadlines. This move was met with concern from many election officials, especially in states that heavily rely on mail-in voting. They argued that such rules help ensure that voters are not negatively impacted by postal delays.
The Democratic attorneys general from 19 states have also voiced their opposition to the executive order, claiming it undermines state authority over elections. They warned that the order could create chaos, forcing states to rush to implement new procedures.
Additionally, the judge’s ruling affected provisions related to U.S. citizens living abroad. The executive order would have required them to provide proof of citizenship and eligibility to vote when registering or requesting absentee ballots. Judge Casper noted that this requirement contradicted Congress’s intent to simplify voting for Americans overseas.
As the legal battles over voting regulations continue, this latest ruling highlights the ongoing tensions between federal and state authorities regarding election laws.