DOJ Won’t Appeal Judge’s Order Against Trump’s Anti-Voting Decree

The Department of Justice (DOJ) does not plan to appeal a judge’s order blocking President Donald Trump from adding a proof of citizenship requirement on a federal registration form, according to a court filing made Monday by plaintiffs in the case.

A federal judge last month issued a preliminary injunction against portions of the anti-voting executive order Trump issued earlier this year. 

The judge in part halted the president’s order that the Election Assistance Commission require eligible voters to show proof of citizenship if they attempt to register or update registration information using the National Mail Voter Registration Form.

In a filing Monday, parties challenging Trump’s order said the Justice Department signaled that they will not appeal the judge’s order and agreed to allow the lawsuit to head to summary judgment.

The Democratic Party, the League of United Latin American Citizens, the League of Women Voters Education Fund and others are challenging Trump’s order, calling it an unprecedented assault on states’ constitutional authority to run their own elections, and warning that it could disenfranchise large numbers of voters.

According to plaintiffs’ proposed summary judgment schedule, discovery in the case would open later this month and close in September, and a final judgment could be made in late fall. The DOJ requested that the court decide the case without discovery.

The DOJ did not immediately respond to Democracy Docket’s request to confirm that it does not plan to appeal the judge’s order.