A federal judge in Washington state has blocked significant portions of the Trump administration’s executive order that sought to impose changes on how states administer federal elections, ruling that the president exceeded his constitutional authority.

U.S. District Judge John Chun issued a 75-page ruling on Friday, determining that several provisions of Executive Order 14248 violated the separation of powers doctrine. In his decision, Chun cited Supreme Court precedent, writing, “Although the Constitution vests the executive power in the President, ‘[i]n the framework of our Constitution, the President’s power to see that the laws are faithfully executed refutes the idea that he is to be a lawmaker.'”

The lawsuit challenging the executive order was filed in April by Washington and Oregon, which argued that the March directive unconstitutionally attempted to dictate how states conduct elections, including processes related to ballot counting, voter registration, and voting equipment.

The White House has indicated it plans to appeal the decision. “President Trump cares deeply about the integrity of our elections and his executive order takes lawful actions to ensure election security,” said White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson in a statement to Fox News Digital. “This is not the final say on the matter and the Administration expects ultimate victory on the issue.”

Washington Attorney General Nick Brown celebrated the ruling as “a huge victory for voters in Washington and Oregon, and for the rule of law,” adding that “the court enforced the long-standing constitutional rule that only States and Congress can regulate elections, not the Election Denier-in-Chief.”

At the center of the legal dispute is Executive Order 14248, which contained several controversial provisions. The order directed federal agencies to require documentary proof of citizenship on federal voter registration forms. It also sought to mandate that absentee and mail-in ballots be received by Election Day to be counted, and instructed the attorney general to take enforcement action against states that include late-arriving ballots in their final tallies.

The judge specifically noted that Washington and Oregon, like all U.S. states and territories, do not certify election results on Election Day. Both states legally count mail-in ballots received after Election Day as long as they were postmarked on or before that day and arrive before the certification deadline established under state law.

Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs defended his state’s approach when the lawsuit was filed last year. “We oppose requirements that suppress eligible voters and will continue to advocate for inclusive and equitable access to registration while protecting the integrity of the process,” Hobbs stated. “The U.S. Constitution guarantees that all qualified voters have a constitutionally protected right to vote and to have their votes counted.”

The ruling represents a significant setback for the Trump administration’s efforts to implement nationwide election administration changes through executive action. Election administration has traditionally fallen under state authority, with Congress having specific constitutional powers to regulate federal elections.

The case highlights ongoing tensions between federal and state authorities over election management, particularly regarding mail-in voting and voter registration requirements. While the administration has framed its efforts as protecting election integrity, critics argue these measures could restrict voting access and interfere with states’ constitutional authority to administer elections.

Legal experts note that this ruling reinforces the limitations on presidential power in election matters, emphasizing that substantial changes to election procedures typically require congressional legislation or state-level action rather than executive orders.

The case is likely to proceed through the appeals process, potentially reaching higher courts as the legal battle over federal versus state authority in election administration continues.