A federal judge in Massachusetts has blocked key parts of an executive order by President Donald Trump that sought to change how elections are conducted in the United States. On Friday (June 13), U.S. District Court Judge Denise Casper issued a preliminary injunction against the order, which required proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote and limited the counting of mail-in ballots to those received by Election Day.

Judge Casper, appointed by former President Barack Obama, emphasized that the Constitution grants states the authority to set election rules, not the president. She noted that the executive order would burden states with significant costs and efforts to overhaul their voter registration procedures. The ruling follows a previous decision by a federal judge in Washington, D.C., which also blocked parts of the order, including the citizenship proof requirement.

The executive order had faced opposition from multiple states, including California, Massachusetts, and New York, which argued it was an overreach of presidential power. The states claimed the order would lead to chaos, forcing them to rapidly implement new procedures or risk losing federal funding.

Trump's administration defended the order as a means to ensure "free, fair, and honest elections," citing concerns over voter fraud. However, CNN reported that critics argued the requirements could deter eligible voters, such as college students and immigrants, who might lack the necessary documentation.

The ruling marks a significant setback for Trump's efforts to reform election procedures, which he has pursued since his presidency, often citing unsubstantiated claims of widespread voter fraud.

Bill Handel