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Legal Battle Over Trump’s Voter Citizenship Order Escalates

Democrats challenge the executive order in court, arguing it exceeds presidential authority and risks disenfranchising lawful voters.

Stickers are lined on a table for voters at the American Legion Post 53 polling location during the Wisconsin Supreme Court election in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, U.S., April 1, 2025.
Voters mark their ballots while voting at Centennial Hall at the Milwaukee Central Library on Election Day Tuesday, April 1, 2025, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Kayla Wolf)
FILE - Chester County, Pa., election workers process mail-in and absentee ballots at West Chester University in West Chester, Pa., Nov. 4, 2020. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File)
President Donald Trump walks to the Oval Office after signing an executive order during an event to announce new tariffs in the Rose Garden of the White House, Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Overview

  • President Donald Trump’s March 25 executive order mandates proof of citizenship for voter registration in federal elections and directs federal agencies to assist states in verifying voter eligibility.
  • Democratic leaders and organizations have filed a lawsuit claiming the order violates the Constitution and federal laws, including the Administrative Procedure Act and the National Voter Registration Act.
  • The lawsuit argues the order could disenfranchise millions of lawful voters, particularly the estimated 9% of U.S. citizens who lack readily available proof of citizenship.
  • Misinformation about the lawsuit has spread, with some Republican officials falsely claiming it seeks to allow noncitizen voting, despite federal law already prohibiting it.
  • Legal experts note that noncitizen voting in federal elections is exceedingly rare, with studies confirming it occurs at negligible rates.