Judge Blocks Trump's Voter Citizenship Proof Order

A federal judge in Washington permanently blocked key provisions of President Donald Trump's executive order requiring proof of citizenship for voter registration and absentee ballots, ruling that the measure exceeded the president's constitutional authority. The decision, issued on January 30, 2026, by U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly, came in response to consolidated lawsuits filed by voting rights organizations, including the League of United Latin American Citizens, the Democratic National Committee, and the League of Women Voters Education Fund.

Kollar-Kotelly's 110-page ruling declared two specific provisions of the executive order inconsistent with the Constitution's separation of powers, which assigns authority over federal election rules primarily to states and Congress. "Put simply, our Constitution does not allow the President to impose unilateral changes to federal election procedures," the judge wrote. The blocked measures would have mandated documentary proof of U.S. citizenship, such as a passport or REAL ID-compliant identification, on the national mail voter registration form and for absentee ballot applications. The order also directed federal...