Federal Judge Considers Blocking Trump Election Overhaul Amid 19-State Legal Challenge

President Donald Trump's executive order to overhaul U.S. election procedures faces significant legal challenges from 19 Democratic-led states arguing the order infringes on states' constitutional authority over elections. The order mandates proof of U.S. citizenship for voter registration and prohibits counting mail-in ballots received after Election Day, which some states currently accept, threatening to discard valid votes and affect close races. At a federal hearing, Judge Denise Casper expressed openness to blocking enforcement of the order, questioning the president's authority to bypass statutory rulemaking processes. The Justice Department defends the order as lawful and enforceable, though some provisions have already been halted by other courts. Critics warn the directive represents executive overreach, potentially making Trump the de facto 'vote czar' by scaling back state and independent agency powers. The controversy highlights ongoing debates over federal versus state control of election laws and broader concerns about the independence of regulatory bodies under the current administration.