Judge blocks Trump's plan requiring citizenship proof for voter registration
What's the story
A federal judge has ruled against President Donald Trump's proposal to require documentary proof of citizenship on federal voter registration forms. The ruling was made by US District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly in Washington, DC. She sided with Democratic and civil rights groups that had sued the Trump administration over this executive order aimed at overhauling US elections.
Constitutional violation
Remarks on Trump's voter registration proposal
Judge Kollar-Kotelly ruled that the proof-of-citizenship directive is an unconstitutional violation of the separation of powers. She wrote, "Because our Constitution assigns responsibility for election regulation to the States and to Congress, this Court holds that the President lacks the authority to direct such changes." The judge further emphasized that on matters related to setting qualifications for voting and regulating federal election procedures, "the Constitution assigns no direct role to the President in either domain."
Legal implications
Ruling gives plaintiffs partial summary judgment
The ruling gives plaintiffs a partial summary judgment that stops the proof-of-citizenship requirement from being enforced. It also says the US Election Assistance Commission, which has been considering adding this requirement to the federal voter form, is permanently barred from doing so. Sophia Lin Lakin of ACLU, one of the plaintiffs in this case, called the ruling "a clear victory for our democracy."
Ongoing struggles
Challenges to proof-of-citizenship requirements at state and federal levels
Despite being a top priority for Republicans, efforts to implement documentary proof-of-citizenship requirements for voting have been fraught with challenges. A citizenship mandate passed by the US House last spring has stalled in the Senate. Similar legislation attempts at the state level have also been difficult. These requirements have caused confusion and issues for voters when implemented at the state level.
Voter complications
Requirements create hurdles for married women, others
Proof-of-citizenship requirements have created particular hurdles for married women who have changed their names. They may need to show birth certificates and marriage certificates as well as state IDs. These complications were seen earlier this year when a proof-of-citizenship requirement was enforced for the first time during local elections in New Hampshire.
Legal battles
Chaos caused by similar requirements in other states
In Kansas, a three-year-long proof-of-citizenship requirement was overturned in federal court after creating chaos. Some 30,000 otherwise eligible people were prevented from registering to vote. The lawsuit brought by the DNC and various civil rights groups will continue, allowing the judge to consider other challenges to Trump's order, including one that all mailed ballots be received by Election Day.