The group of attorneys general said the directive “usurps the States’ constitutional power and seeks to amend election law by fiat.”
ATLANTA — A federal judge on Friday put a stop to President Donald Trump’s initiative to reform the U.S. election process, aligning with a coalition of Democratic state attorneys general who argued the move was unconstitutional.
On March 25, Trump issued an executive order aiming to mandate officials to demand documentary evidence of citizenship from all individuals registering to vote in federal elections, only accept mailed ballots that arrive by Election Day, and make federal election grant funding contingent on states complying with the new ballot deadline.
The attorneys general argued that the directive “oversteps the States’ constitutional authority and attempts to change election law unilaterally.” The White House defended the order, asserting it was in support of “free, fair, and honest elections” and described the citizenship proof as a “commonsense” measure.
Judge Denise J. Casper of the U.S. District Court in Massachusetts said in Friday’s order that the states had a likelihood of success as to their legal challenges.
“The Constitution does not grant the President any specific powers over elections,” Casper wrote.
Casper also noted that, when it comes to 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 arguments made by the states that the requirements would “burden the States with significant efforts and substantial costs” to update procedures.
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