Federal judge blocks Trump's executive order requiring proof of citizenship for elections

A federal judge on Friday blocked President Trump's executive order requiring proof of citizenship for elections.

Judge Denise J. Casper, of the U.S. District Court in Massachusetts, an Obama appointee, said U.S. states have a likelihood of success in their legal challenges to the order, The Associated Press reported.

“The Constitution does not grant the President any specific powers over elections,” Casper wrote in her ruling.

She also said that regarding citizenship, “There is no dispute (nor could there be) that U.S. citizenship is required to vote in federal elections and the federal voter registration forms require attestation of citizenship.”

Casper cited the states' arguments that the requirements would burden them with "significant efforts and substantial costs” to update procedures.

In April, the GOP-led House passed the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act again, which would require documentary proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote for federal elections.

Trump issued the executive order in March that includes the requirement that only U.S. citizens vote in federal elections, offers assistance to states with maintaining voter rolls, and makes improvements in the Election Assistance Commission.

The president also ordered the attorney general to prosecute election crimes, take action against states that accept absentee ballots for federal elections after Election Day, and ensure that foreign nationals do not donate to federal elections or that organizations that receive federal funds do not engage in lobbying.

The order additionally mentions the rescinding of "Bidenbucks" – the former Biden administration's apparent effort to have federal agencies partner with private groups in get-out-the-vote efforts.

In April, Democratic attorneys general in 19 states filed a lawsuit over the order, arguing against some of its aspects, including enforcing documentary proof of citizenship to register to vote and ensuring that states accept absentee ballots for federal elections after Election Day.