Judge in U.S. partially hinders Trump's order aimed at restructuring the American electoral system
Trump's Voter Registration Overhaul Halted by Federal Judge
Donald Trump's recent executive decree aiming to transform the U.S. electoral process took a hit on April 24, as federal judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly issued a temporary block. The judge ordered the Trump administration to forgo enforcing a provision that demanded proof of American citizenship, like passports, during state-level voter registration processes.
The controversial executive order, signed in late March, aimed to limit voting by mail - a system Trump frequently criticizes for being allegedly biased against him. The moment the order went into effect, criticism came pouring in from various associations and the Democratic Party itself, which quickly initiated legal action.
Judge Kollar-Kotelly justified the preliminary injunction, arguing that the plaintiffs had a strong chance of success when the case is examined more thoroughly. She claimed in her 120-page decision that the Constitution grants the authority to regulate federal elections to Congress and the states, not the president.
A Potential Power Play by the Executive
Trump has yet to accept his 2020 presidential election loss to Joe Biden and has repeatedly claimed widespread electoral fraud. Only U.S. citizens are authorized to participate in federal elections, but not all states require proof of American citizenship for voting. Some use alternative methods to verify voter identity.
States that declined to conform to the directive risked losing federal funds allocated for election preparation. Skeptics, like UCLA professor of election law Rick Hasen, labeled the executive order as "dangerous." According to Hasen, the order could potentially disenfranchise millions of voters lacking easy access to documents like passports.
Since reentering the White House on January 20, Trump has issued several executive orders. A significant number have faced opposition in court.
The judge's ruling signifies a significant hindrance in efforts to establish stricter voter eligibility criteria at the federal level. The case will continue in court to determine the long-term legality of the order. Meanwhile, a bill is currently before Congress aiming to codify similar citizenship requirements, although it faces challenges in the Senate.
- The likelihood of implementing stricter voter eligibility criteria at the federal level via President Trump's executive order has been set back, as Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly issued an injunction.
- The ongoing court case, triggered by the Democratic Party's objections and other criticisms, holds the potential to determine the long-term legality of Trump's electoral policy-and-legislation.
- In an attempt to limit voting by mail, a system frequently criticized by Trump, the executive overhaul required state-level voter registration processes to demand proof of American citizenship, like passports.
- The general news media have reported that UCLA professor of election law, Rick Hasen, has characterized Trump's executive order as "dangerous," arguing that it could potentially disenfranchise millions of voters lacking easy access to documents like passports.
