A federal judge has blocked President Donald Trump’s attempt to add a proof of citizenship requirement to the federal voter registration form, a move that was challenged by the Democratic party and civil rights groups. US district judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly ruled that the President does not have the authority to set rules for federal elections, emphasizing that such power lies with Congress and the States. The proposed requirement would have made it difficult for nearly 10% of eligible voters who lack easy access to necessary documents to prove their citizenship.

Additionally, the judge also blocked a part of the executive order that mandated federal agencies to assess the citizenship of individuals before allowing them to vote at public assistance agencies. While Republicans in the US House have passed a similar bill, it is unlikely to pass in the US Senate. Some states have also enacted laws requiring proof of citizenship to vote.

Kollar-Kotelly did not entirely strike down the executive order, leaving intact provisions related to the Department of Homeland Security sharing information with states and addressing non-citizens on voter rolls. She also maintained a section of the order addressing mail-in ballots arriving after election day. However, she indicated that challengers could potentially return to court in the future to contest these aspects of the order.