A federal judge ruled for the Trump administration on Thursday, declining to block an executive order that tightens rules on mail-in voting ahead of the November midterm elections.
As reported by CNN and Reuters, U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols rejected a preliminary injunction sought by Democrats and civil rights groups. The plaintiffs, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, argued the directive would infringe on states' rights and could disenfranchise voters. Nichols ruled that the legal challenge is premature because federal agencies are still deliberating implementation.
Signed on March 31, Trump's executive order directs the Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration to build updated "state citizenship lists." It also requires the U.S. Postal Service to deliver mail-in ballots only to voters verified on those lists. Conservative allies praised the ruling as a win for election integrity.
