Federal judge blocks Trump's attempt to restrict voting

The ruling prevents federal agencies from requiring citizenship status on voter registration forms.

Jan. 30, 2026 at 8:15pm

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A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration from implementing provisions of an executive order that would have allowed federal agencies to demand proof of citizenship when distributing voter registration forms. The judge ruled that the Constitution gives states, not the White House, authority over setting election rules.

Why it matters

The ruling is the latest setback for the Trump administration's efforts to impose new voting requirements, which voting rights advocates argue are intended to make it harder for certain groups to exercise their constitutional right to vote.

The details

U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly permanently blocked two provisions of Trump's executive order that sought to require federal agencies to 'assess citizenship' before providing voter registration forms and to allow the Secretary of Defense to demand documentary proof of citizenship from military personnel registering to vote. The judge ruled that the Constitution's separation of powers gives states, not the president, authority over setting election rules.

  • On January 31, 2026, the federal judge issued the ruling blocking Trump's executive order.

The players

Colleen Kollar-Kotelly

A U.S. District Judge appointed by former President Bill Clinton who ruled against the Trump administration's attempt to restrict voting.

Donald Trump

The former president whose executive order seeking to change federal voter registration procedures was blocked by the judge's ruling.

Danielle Lang

A voting rights expert with the Campaign Legal Center, which represented plaintiffs in the case against Trump's order.

Abigail Jackson

A White House spokeswoman who claimed the judge's decision makes it easier for noncitizens to vote, despite research showing voting by noncitizens is rare.

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What they’re saying

“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

“The judge's decision makes it easier for noncitizens to vote, despite research, even among Republican state officials, has shown voting by noncitizens is a rare problem.”

— Abigail Jackson, White House spokeswoman (Associated Press)

What’s next

The White House has vowed that the Friday decision is 'not the final say on the matter' and that the administration 'looks forward to ultimate victory on the issue.' However, the same executive order faces challenges on multiple fronts, including separate lawsuits by Democratic state attorneys general and by Oregon and Washington.

The takeaway

This ruling is the latest setback for the Trump administration's efforts to impose new voting restrictions, which voting rights advocates argue are intended to make it harder for certain groups to exercise their constitutional right to vote. The decision upholds the separation of powers and state authority over election rules, underscoring the challenges the former president faces in his attempts to reshape the electoral process.