Federal judges block parts of Trump administration election directives

Two federal judges issued rulings this month limiting federal authority over state election procedures. U.S. District Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan blocked the Department of Homeland Security from using an immigration database to verify voter eligibility, finding the database violated privacy laws and led some states to remove citizens from voter rolls.

The judge wrote that the Constitution does not grant the president specific powers over elections and that the Postal Service lacks authority to decide who may vote by mail.

Act push continues President Trump has pressed Republican lawmakers to pass the SAVE America Act, which would require proof of citizenship for voter registration, photo identification at polls, and transmission of state voter data to the Department of Homeland Security.

Senate Republican leaders have stated there is insufficient support for the measure. The administration has also directed the Postal Service to compile lists of citizens in each state and threatened to withhold federal funds from states that retain electronic voting machines.

Bob Page said his office has ordered envelopes for more than 23 million California voters ahead of the Oct. 5 mailing deadline and is monitoring any legal changes. Jonathan Smith, president of the American Postal Workers Union, said the union continues to run advertisements describing mail voting as secure.

The White House stated Wednesday that it remains confident the executive order will be in effect by the November election.