Judge Blocks Additional Citizenship Provisions in Trump Election Order

The latest setback for the wide-ranging executive order signed by the former president.

Jan. 31, 2026 at 12:15am

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A federal judge in Washington, D.C. has permanently blocked two provisions of President Donald Trump's executive order on elections that sought to impose proof-of-citizenship rules. The judge ruled that the Constitution's separation of powers gives states and Congress authority over setting election rules, not the president.

Why it matters

The ruling is the latest blow to Trump's executive order, which aimed to ensure "election security" by requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote. Voting by noncitizens has been shown to be a rare problem, but the issue was a central strategy for Trump and Republicans during the 2024 campaign.

The details

U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly blocked federal agencies from assessing citizenship status before providing voter registration forms, and prohibited the Secretary of Defense from requiring documentary proof of citizenship for military personnel registering to vote. The judge said the Constitution does not allow the president to "impose unilateral changes to federal election procedures."

  • The ruling was issued on Friday, January 31, 2026.

The players

Colleen Kollar-Kotelly

A federal judge in Washington, D.C. and an appointee of former President Bill Clinton.

Donald Trump

The former president who signed the executive order on elections that was challenged in this case.

Danielle Lang

A voting rights expert with the Campaign Legal Center, which represented plaintiffs in the case.

Abigail Jackson

A White House spokeswoman who said the administration looks forward to "ultimate victory" on the issue.

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What they’re saying

“Put simply, our Constitution does not allow the President to impose unilateral changes to federal election procedures.”

— Colleen Kollar-Kotelly, U.S. District Judge

“Ensuring only citizens vote in our elections is a commonsense measure that everyone should be able to support.”

— Abigail Jackson, White House Spokeswoman

“Our democracy works best when all Americans can participate, including members of our military and their families living overseas. Today's ruling removes a very real threat to the freedom to vote for overseas military families and upholds the separation of powers.”

— Danielle Lang, Voting Rights Expert, Campaign Legal Center

What’s next

The White House said the ruling would not be the final word on the matter and the administration looks forward to "ultimate victory" on the issue.

The takeaway

This ruling is the latest setback for President Trump's executive order on elections, which aimed to impose proof-of-citizenship requirements that research has shown are a solution in search of a problem. The judge's decision upholds the separation of powers and the Constitution's authority over states and Congress to set election rules, not the president.