Judge blocks Trump order to require proof of citizenship for voting

• The order included federal funding cuts for states that did not comply.

Driving the news: U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly said in a 120-page opinion that adding a proof of citizenship requirement "is contrary to the manifest will of Congress."

• When enacting the National Voter Registration Act, Congress considered and rejected such a proposal, concluding that it was not necessary or consistent with the purpose of the law, the judge wrote.
• "The President has no constitutional power over election regulation that would support this unilateral exercise of authority," the judge said. "The Constitution vests that power in the States and Congress alone."
• Kollar-Kotelly also prohibited the Election Assistance Commission from withholding federal funds from states that did not comply with Trump's order.

Zoom out: The House this month passed a bill requiring voters to provide documentary proof of citizenship when they register to vote.

• The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act aims to restrict noncitizen voting in federal elections, which is exceptionally rare and illegal.

Go deeper: Trump signs order to overhaul federal elections process