The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for April 28, 2025
A partial victory for pro-voter groups April 24th, as a federal judge blocked the proof of citizenship portion of President Donald Trump’s executive order changing federal elections. The judge did not address other sections, which she suggested were best challenged by states, rather than voters.
In a three page ruling and a 120-page opinion, DC Circuit Court Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly writes, “no statutory delegation of authority to the Executive Branch permits the President to short-circuit Congress’s deliberative process by executive order.”
The judge pointed out that Congress is currently considering the SAVE Act, which includes some of the same proof of citizenship requirements, and is within its jurisdiction to do so. As we’ve reported, the SAVE Act is not likely to pass the Senate.
But she took pains to parse out the separations of powers in Trump’s March 25th order, and allowed the directive opening federal databases to states to identify noncitizen voters.
She also concluded that the voter-groups in THIS case did not have standing to challenge the portions affecting states with the withholding of federal funding for noncompliance, and mandating all mail ballots be received by election day. Nineteen state attorneys general have filed a separate challenge to the same executive order.
We have the judge’s opinion at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
The White House – PRESERVING AND PROTECTING THE INTEGRITY OF AMERICAN ELECTIONS
Brennan Center for Justice – The President’s Executive Order on Elections
American Democracy Minute – Pro-Voter Groups and 19 States Challenge Trump Executive Order on Voting Rules as Unconstitutional and Likely to Disenfranchise Millions
US District Court for DC – LULAC & League of Women Voters v. Donald Trump Opinion
US District Court for DC – LULAC & League of Women Voters v. Donald Trump Order
Reuters – Judge partly blocks Trump order that claimed greater control over US elections
NPR – Judge pauses parts of Trump’s sweeping executive order on voting
Groups Taking Action:
LULAC, League of Women Voters, NAACP, Asian Pacific American Advocates
Register or Check Your Voter Registration:
U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register And Vote in Your State
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