Judges Push Back on Trump's Voting Rules

The political scene in the US is heating up. Two judges have now stepped in to slow down parts of a presidential order about voting. This order was issued by the president and aimed to change how people register to vote and how mail-in ballots are handled. The first judge to intervene was from a federal court in California. This judge stopped a part of the order that wanted people to show documents proving their citizenship when they register to vote using a national form. This requirement was seen as a big hurdle for many voters. Then, another judge in Massachusetts joined in. This judge, Denise Casper, agreed that the citizenship proof part of the order should be paused. But she didn't stop there. She also blocked another part of the order that tried to stop states from counting mail-in ballots that arrive after Election Day, even if they were postmarked on time. The judge made it clear that the Constitution gives states the power to set their own election rules, not the president. This is a big deal because it shows the limits of presidential power when it comes to elections. The White House wasn't happy about this. They said the president will keep fighting for what he believes are fair elections. They also said they are confident they will win in the end. This is a classic example of the tension between federal and state powers. The order also had a part that would have affected military members and other US citizens living abroad. These voters use a special postcard to register and request an absentee ballot. The order wanted to add more steps, like mailing in proof of citizenship. The judge said this goes against what Congress wanted, which was to make it easier for these voters to participate. The order also tried to withhold funds from states that have lenient mail-in ballot deadlines. Many election officials like these rules because they reduce the pressure on the Postal Service. But Republicans argue that these rules benefit Democrats and can lead to fraud. This is a contentious issue, with both sides having strong opinions. The judges' decisions show that the courts are playing a big role in shaping how elections will be conducted. It's a reminder that the power to set election rules is not just in the hands of the president or Congress, but also in the courts.