Federal Judge Blocks Key Provisions of President Trump’s Voter Registration Executive Order
WASHINGTON, D.C. – A federal judge today issued a preliminary injunction blocking multiple provisions of President Trump's March 25 executive order that sought to dramatically overhaul federal election procedures, in response to a lawsuit brought by Elias Law Group attorneys representing the Democratic National Committee (DNC), Democratic Governors Association (DGA), Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC), Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
When Elias Law Group filed the lawsuit last month, the New York Times reported that the lawsuit “represents one of the first moments where seemingly every arm of the party is pushing back with one voice” since President Trump took office.
"Today's ruling is a victory for democracy and the rule of law over presidential overreach,” said Elias Law Group partner Aria Branch. “This injunction stops an outrageous attempt to disenfranchise eligible voters by adding illegal and unnecessary barriers to the voter registration process. The Constitution couldn't be clearer—it's Congress and the states, not the President, who determine how federal elections are conducted. While this fight is far from over, we are encouraged by today’s ruling and look forward to continuing the fight to permanently block this dangerous Executive Order. We are so proud to represent leading Democrats in this critical case.”
“We welcome the Court’s decision to block multiple provisions of President Trump’s illegal Executive Order,” said Elias Law Group partner Lali Madduri. “This injunction makes clear that the President does not have the authority to unilaterally change the laws governing federal elections. We applaud the DNC, DGA, DSCC, DCCC, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries for stepping up to challenge this dangerous power grab in court.”
U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly ruled that multiple provisions of the executive order exceed presidential authority and infringe upon powers constitutionally reserved for Congress and the states. The judge's ruling specifically blocks implementation of the documentary proof-of-citizenship requirement for the national voter registration form, and a requirement that federal voter registration agencies assess citizenship before providing voter registration forms.
"Our Constitution entrusts Congress and the states —not the president — with the authority to regulate federal elections," Judge Kollar-Kotelly wrote in a 120-page opinion. "And no statutory delegation of authority to the Executive Branch permits the president to short-circuit Congress's deliberative process by executive order."
Other challenged provisions of the Executive Order will remain unblocked while the litigation proceeds.
Click HERE to read the order.
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