Judge Won't Block Federal Vot 05/28 07:21

   A federal judge has declined to halt President Donald Trump's executive 
order creating a federal voter list and limiting mail voting, clearing the way 
for potential sweeping changes in how American elections are run shortly before 
this year's midterm elections.

   (AP) -- A federal judge has declined to halt President Donald Trump's 
executive order creating a federal voter list and limiting mail voting, 
clearing the way for potential sweeping changes in how American elections are 
run shortly before this year's midterm elections.

   U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols, a Trump appointee in Washington, late 
Wednesday rejected the request by Democrats and civil rights groups that had 
argued Trump's order would likely be found unconstitutional because the states 
and Congress, not the president, have the power to set election rules. Nichols 
agreed with the Trump administration's contention it was too early to issue the 
order because it has yet to be implemented.

   "The Court recognizes that the Postal Service may ultimately issue a final 
rule that directly affects Plaintiffs or their members, or that the Government 
may develop State Citizenship Lists that omit specific individuals due to 
particularized flaws," Nichols wrote. "Plaintiffs may, of course, renew their 
motions if and when those future actions occur. Until then, however, Plaintiffs 
cannot show that preliminary injunctive relief is warranted."

   The legal battle against the provision now shifts to Boston, where voting 
rights groups have a separate lawsuit against the executive order in federal 
court.

   Trump issued the order in March after a bill he supported to overhaul voting 
stalled in Congress. The order would have had the federal government create a 
list of eligible voters and then directed the U.S. Postal Service to deliver 
mail ballots only to those on the list. Election officials argued it was ripe 
for abuse and could cause chaos.

   Since his 2020 presidential election loss to Democrat Joe Biden, Trump has 
groundlessly claimed mail voting is rife with fraud and has launched a federal 
investigation into that year's vote, even though repeated audits and 
investigations, including ones run by Republicans, found it was free of 
widespread fraud. Trump also has said he wants to "take over" election 
administration in Democratic areas.

   Democrats and civil rights groups argued it was urgent that Nichols issue a 
restraining order in the midst of primary season and with states already 
gearing up for the fall midterm elections.

   This was Trump's second executive order seeking to overhaul elections and 
voting. His initial election executive order, issued just months after he took 
office in his second term, has been blocked by multiple federal judges. That 
order sought to require documentary proof of citizenship to register to vote, 
among other changes.