A federal judge in Boston has permanently barred President Donald Trump’s administration from implementing a proof-of-citizenship requirement to vote. The ruling by U.S. District Court Judge Denise Casper converts a preliminary injunction she issued a year ago into a permanent ban.

Background

The Trump administration had sought to require people to show documentary proof of citizenship when they register to vote. However, Judge Casper agreed that the Constitution gives states and Congress the authority to regulate elections, and that Trump’s requirements violated the separation of powers.

The Constitution “does not grant the President any specific powers over elections,” wrote Casper. The ruling is the latest in a series against the elections executive order Trump signed just months after taking office for his second term.

Reaction

New York Attorney General Letitia James said she was grateful the court had blocked Trump’s “unconstitutional attempt to seize control of our elections” and would continue to defend voting rights in this year’s midterm elections. California Attorney General Rob Bonta, whose state was the lead plaintiff in the case, said the ruling reaffirmed the constitutional principle that it is up to the states and Congress to set election rules.

Original reporting: NBC10 Boston — read the source article.