Federal judge permanently bars Trump from enforcing key election order provisions

A federal judge has permanently blocked key provisions of President Donald Trump's first executive order on elections, a move hailed by critics as a victory for voting rights. U.S. District Court Judge Denise Casper in Boston issued a permanent ban on most of the order, which had sought to require documentary proof of citizenship for voter registration.

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The Constitution does not grant the President any specific powers over elections.

Casper's ruling effectively converts a preliminary injunction from a year ago into a final prohibition. She rejected the administration's argument that the lawsuit by Democratic state attorneys general was premature, agreeing instead that Trump's requirements overstepped presidential authority. "The Constitution does not grant the President any specific powers over elections," she wrote, emphasizing that states and Congress hold the authority to regulate elections.

Among the measures blocked were the proof-of-citizenship requirement, a ban on counting mail ballots received after Election Day, and penalties for states that did not comply. This decision marks another legal setback for Trump's election initiatives, which have faced multiple challenges. The administration's attempts to control election processes through executive orders have been consistently contested in court.

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unconstitutional attempt to seize control of our elections

New York Attorney General Letitia James celebrated the ruling, calling it a defense of voting rights against an "unconstitutional attempt to seize control of our elections." The White House and Department of Justice did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Trump has since issued another executive order on elections and is reportedly pushing for legislation to mandate proof of citizenship, indicating ongoing efforts to influence election procedures despite judicial setbacks.

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Generations of Americans fought tirelessly for the right to vote, and we honor their legacy by protecting that right against anyone who tries to undermine it.