Judge blocks additional citizenship provisions in Trump's election executive order

The latest setback to the former president's efforts to impose proof-of-citizenship rules for voter registration.

Jan. 31, 2026 at 9:31am

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A federal judge in Washington, D.C. has permanently blocked two provisions of an executive order signed by former President Donald Trump that sought to impose proof-of-citizenship requirements for voter registration. The judge ruled that the Constitution gives states and Congress authority over setting election rules, and that the president cannot unilaterally change federal election procedures.

Why it matters

Trump's executive order was part of a broader Republican strategy to raise concerns about noncitizen voting, despite research showing it is a rare problem. This ruling is the latest in a series of legal setbacks for the order, which has faced multiple lawsuits from Democratic state attorneys general and voting rights groups.

The details

The judge's ruling blocks federal agencies from assessing citizenship status when distributing voter registration forms, and prohibits the Secretary of Defense from requiring documentary proof of citizenship for military personnel registering to vote or requesting ballots. The judge said the order violates the Constitution's separation of powers by allowing the president to unilaterally change federal election procedures.

  • The executive order was signed by former President Trump in 2025.
  • The judge's ruling was issued on January 31, 2026.

The players

Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly

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

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States who signed the executive order in question.

Danielle Lang

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

Abigail Jackson

A White House spokeswoman who responded to the ruling on behalf of the administration.

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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.”

— Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly

“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

“Ensuring only citizens vote in our elections is a commonsense measure that everyone should be able to support. This is not the final say on the matter and the administration looks forward to ultimate victory on the issue.”

— Abigail Jackson, White House spokeswoman

What’s next

The White House has indicated it plans to continue fighting the ruling, suggesting the legal battle over the executive order is not over.

The takeaway

This ruling is the latest setback for former President Trump's efforts to impose stricter voter registration requirements, which were part of a broader Republican strategy to raise concerns about noncitizen voting. The judge's decision upholds the separation of powers and state authority over election rules, underscoring the limits on a president's ability to unilaterally change federal election procedures.