By Shah Khalid Khan
Washington, January 30, 2026: A federal judge has imposed a permanent ban on several major sections of an executive order issued by President Donald Trump. The order required documentary proof of U.S. citizenship — such as a passport or birth certificate — for voter registration and absentee (postal) voting.
The judge ruled that the order is unconstitutional because, under the U.S. Constitution, the power to set rules for federal elections lies with the states and Congress — not with the president acting alone.
The blocked sections included three main requirements:
- Making documentary proof of citizenship mandatory on federal voter registration forms.
- Requiring citizenship checks for people applying for public assistance programs (such as food stamps) before providing them with voter registration forms.
- Demanding proof of citizenship from military personnel and Americans living abroad when they apply for voter registration or absentee ballots.
The decision came after multiple lawsuits filed by the Democratic Party, civil rights organizations, and several states. The judge stated that these measures violate the Constitution and can no longer be enforced by the administration.
The Trump administration had described the order as a necessary step to protect the integrity and security of elections. Critics, however, argued that it would create unnecessary barriers and make it harder for many eligible voters to cast their ballots.
The administration is now barred from implementing these citizenship verification requirements. No official response from the Trump administration has been issued yet.
