A court decision in the United States suspended a central measure of former President Donald Trump's executive order that intended to significantly alter the voter registration process in the country. U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly of the District of Columbia ruled that the president exceeded his authority by ordering changes to the national voter registration form, requiring applicants to submit documents proving U.S. citizenship, according to a report by NPR.

The judge argued that the Constitution gives Congress and the States — and not the Executive — the power to legislate on federal elections. In her decision, she pointed out that Congress is already debating a specific bill, the so-called SAVE Act, which addresses the requirement of proof of citizenship, and that the presidential decree would represent an undue attempt to anticipate or replace the ongoing legislative process.

Civil rights groups and organizations that promote voter registration, responsible for three unified lawsuits, celebrated the suspension as an important victory for the protection of electoral rights. They argue that imposing the documentary requirement would disproportionately affect millions of citizens, especially those who do not have easy access to documents such as passports.

Trump's executive order has been the target of criticism from Democrats and supporters of voter participation, who see the measure as an effort to restrict access to voting under the pretext of fighting fraud. With the judge's decision, the implementation of the order is temporarily barred, while the legal proceedings are ongoing.