Trump Can’t Require Proof of Citizenship for Voters: Judge

The ruling came in response to lawsuits filed by multiple groups, including the Democratic National Committee, as well as Democrats in Congress.

A man votes at St Andrew's church during the 2024 presidential election on Election Day in Erie, Pa., on Nov. 5, 2024. Shannon Stapleton/Reuters

President Donald Trump can’t require voters to provide proof of citizenship, a federal judge ruled on Oct. 31.

U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly said in an order that U.S. Election Assistance Commission officials are prohibited from updating the federal voter registration form to require proof of U.S. citizenship.

Trump, in a March executive order, directed the commission to change the form to require “documentary proof of United States citizenship,” such as a U.S. passport.

In an 81-page opinion detailing her ruling, Kollar-Kotelly said Trump cannot unilaterally change federal election procedures.

“Because our Constitution assigns responsibility for election regulation to the States and to Congress, this Court holds that the President lacks the authority to direct such changes,” she wrote.

Abigail Jackson, a White House spokeswoman, told The Epoch Times in an email: “President Trump has exercised his lawful authority to ensure only American citizens are casting ballots in American elections. ... We expect to be vindicated by a higher court.”

The ruling came in response to lawsuits filed by multiple groups, including the Democratic National Committee, as well as Democrats in Congress such as Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.).

“This federal court ruling reaffirms that no president has the authority to control our election systems and processes,” Trevor Potter, president of the Campaign Legal Center, one of the groups, said in a statement. “The Constitution gives the states and Congress—not the president—the responsibility and authority to regulate our elections.”

Schumer added on X: “We just won a big court case as a lead plaintiff to stop the Trump administration from disenfranchising Americans, and especially women and service members.”

Kollar-Kotelly had previously issued a preliminary injunction blocking officials from updating the federal form to require proof of citizenship. Her new order was a summary judgment, or a final ruling, in favor of the organizations.

Federal law prohibits foreigners from voting in federal elections.

The ruling only pertains to one section of Trump’s order.

In the March 25 document, Trump also said that federal officials shall take action against states that count ballots received after Election Day, and that federal officials such as those with the Social Security Agency shall share access to immigration systems with the Department of Homeland Security in order to verify the citizenship status of people who are registered to vote, or who register to vote.