A federal judge in Washington, D.C., blocked part of President Donald Trump’s executive order on election integrity. The move came just months after a Gallup poll showed overwhelming public support for voter ID and proof of citizenship. Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly struck down provisions requiring proof of citizenship to register.
According to Gallup, 84% of Americans back voter ID laws. Another 83% favor requiring proof of citizenship for first-time voter registration. Support cuts across party lines — including 67% of Democrats and 98% of Republicans.
Despite that support, Kollar-Kotelly ruled Trump overstepped his authority. She said only Congress and the states control election regulations under the Constitution. “No statutory delegation of authority to the Executive Branch permits the President to short-circuit Congress’s deliberative process by executive order,” she wrote.
Kollar-Kotelly is a Clinton appointee. In her ruling, she pointed out that Congress is already debating similar reforms. She argued Trump’s order interfered with that process.
Meanwhile, the House passed the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act. It would require proof of citizenship for federal voter registration and remove non-citizens from the rolls. The bill still needs Senate approval before heading to Trump’s desk.
Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, led the charge. “In order to preserve this republic, we must uphold what it means to be able to vote in a U.S. election,” Roy said. “I am grateful that my colleagues answered the call and passed the SAVE Act.”
Efforts to tighten voting rules are gaining traction in states, too. Five states have enacted voter ID laws so far this year. One now requires proof of citizenship to register.
According to Voting Rights Lab, 25 states are currently reviewing bills requiring proof of citizenship. Another 40 are considering new voter ID legislation.