A federal judge has permanently blocked the Trump administration from implementing key parts of an executive order on elections. This order aimed to mandate documentary proof of citizenship for voter registration. U.S. District Court Judge Denise Casper in Boston turned her previous temporary injunction into a permanent ban.
Judge Casper rejected the administration’s argument that the lawsuit was premature due to the unimplemented rules. She highlighted that the Constitution grants states and Congress, not the President, the power to regulate elections. Her ruling stated, “The Constitution does not grant the President any specific powers over elections.” Casper was appointed by former President Barack Obama, a Democrat.
The executive order proposed requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote and invalidating mail ballots not received by Election Day even if postmarked by then. It also threatened to withhold federal grants from non-compliant states, including those for election security.
“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,” stated New York Attorney General Letitia James, applauding the court’s decision.
Rob Bonta, California’s Attorney General, who led the case, commented on the ruling. He reaffirmed that setting election rules is the constitutional role of states and Congress. Bonta stated, “We will keep fighting back every step of the way.”
A spokeswoman from the White House expressed the Republican president’s aim to ensure confidence in election administration. The administration may appeal Judge Casper’s ruling.
The executive order has faced several legal challenges since Trump initiated it during his second term. In response, Trump signed another order focusing on a national voter list and limiting mail balloting. This too faces legal hurdles.
Previously, a federal judge in Washington, D.C., ruled against including proof-of-citizenship requirements on federal voter registration forms. The judge barred the defense secretary from demanding proof of citizenship from military personnel for voting purposes.
Amidst these challenges, Trump is pushing the SAVE America Act in Congress, which mandates proof of citizenship for voting. While it passed the House, it stalled in the Senate, prompting Trump to advocate for ending the filibuster delaying the legislation.
On Wednesday, Trump canceled the signing of a bipartisan housing bill, insisting he would not sign it until Congress passed the voting citizenship requirement.
Implementing a proof-of-citizenship mandate can be complex. A 2025 University of Maryland study found 21.3 million eligible voters lack easy access to citizenship documents. This includes 10% of Democrats, 7% of Republicans, and 14% unaffiliated individuals.
The voter registration form already requires an attestation of citizenship. Violating this is a felony, punishable by prison or deportation. A Kansas law mandating citizenship proof previously impeded over 31,000 eligible voters before courts halted it.
The Supreme Court is soon to decide on whether mail ballots must arrive by Election Day. This decision could revise rules in 14 states that currently allow grace periods.
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