Federal Judge Hands Trump Administration Another Blow in Election Dispute
A US federal judge has dealt a significant blow to the Trump administration's election agenda, ruling that key provisions of President Donald Trump's executive order aimed at revising election rules nationwide are unconstitutional. The ruling, which was issued by US District Judge John Chun, blocks several provisions of the executive order that sought to require proof of citizenship on the federal voter registration form, restrict the use of machine-readable codes when tallying ballots, and prohibit the counting of ballots postmarked Election Day but received afterwards.
The decision is the latest in a series of court rulings that have struck down various provisions of the executive order. In two related cases last year, federal judges had already ruled against similar provisions, citing concerns that the president was overstepping his constitutional authority.
The Trump administration has signaled its intention to appeal the decision, which would take the matter to the US Supreme Court. However, election law experts have suggested that the president faces long odds in his bid to change election laws at the federal level.
In a statement issued after the ruling, Judge Chun noted that he was "restoring the proper balance of power among the Executive Branch, the states, and Congress envisioned by the Framers." The judge's decision effectively prevents several key provisions of the executive order from taking effect nationwide.
Despite this setback, the Trump administration is expected to continue pushing for changes to election laws. The president has announced plans to issue a second executive order on elections, although details of what will be included in the new order are currently unclear.
Election law experts have warned that while the executive order may not achieve its intended goals through federal legislation or executive action, it has already had an impact within the federal government. For example, the Justice Department has used the order as a pretext to prioritize election law enforcement and file lawsuits against states that refuse to provide unredacted voter data.
In essence, the Trump administration's approach to elections boils down to "projecting power" without having the constitutional authority to do so, according to one expert. The strategy is seen as lacking a clear plan or middle ground, likened to a failed scheme from the TV show South Park in which gnomes steal underpants without a coherent explanation for their actions.
As for the public's response, experts are skeptical that the Trump administration's efforts will be successful. With no concrete policy proposals on the table and a lack of clear direction, it remains to be seen whether the president's election agenda will gain traction in the face of mounting court challenges and opposition from state lawmakers.
A US federal judge has dealt a significant blow to the Trump administration's election agenda, ruling that key provisions of President Donald Trump's executive order aimed at revising election rules nationwide are unconstitutional. The ruling, which was issued by US District Judge John Chun, blocks several provisions of the executive order that sought to require proof of citizenship on the federal voter registration form, restrict the use of machine-readable codes when tallying ballots, and prohibit the counting of ballots postmarked Election Day but received afterwards.
The decision is the latest in a series of court rulings that have struck down various provisions of the executive order. In two related cases last year, federal judges had already ruled against similar provisions, citing concerns that the president was overstepping his constitutional authority.
The Trump administration has signaled its intention to appeal the decision, which would take the matter to the US Supreme Court. However, election law experts have suggested that the president faces long odds in his bid to change election laws at the federal level.
In a statement issued after the ruling, Judge Chun noted that he was "restoring the proper balance of power among the Executive Branch, the states, and Congress envisioned by the Framers." The judge's decision effectively prevents several key provisions of the executive order from taking effect nationwide.
Despite this setback, the Trump administration is expected to continue pushing for changes to election laws. The president has announced plans to issue a second executive order on elections, although details of what will be included in the new order are currently unclear.
Election law experts have warned that while the executive order may not achieve its intended goals through federal legislation or executive action, it has already had an impact within the federal government. For example, the Justice Department has used the order as a pretext to prioritize election law enforcement and file lawsuits against states that refuse to provide unredacted voter data.
In essence, the Trump administration's approach to elections boils down to "projecting power" without having the constitutional authority to do so, according to one expert. The strategy is seen as lacking a clear plan or middle ground, likened to a failed scheme from the TV show South Park in which gnomes steal underpants without a coherent explanation for their actions.
As for the public's response, experts are skeptical that the Trump administration's efforts will be successful. With no concrete policy proposals on the table and a lack of clear direction, it remains to be seen whether the president's election agenda will gain traction in the face of mounting court challenges and opposition from state lawmakers.