Welcome to our eighth “Voter ID News Hotsheet”, where we summarize all the latest Voter ID news on a National basis in a monthly digest of top happenings.
During October 2025, voter ID and proof-of-citizenship requirements were at the center of national debate, with major federal rulings, state-level legal battles, and proposed legislation shaping the landscape of voting rights across the United States. Below is a summary of the top 10 most significant developments from this period.
- Federal Judge Blocks Trump’s Citizenship Proof Requirement
On October 31, 2025, a federal judge permanently blocked President Trump’s executive order that attempted to require voters to provide documentary proof of citizenship on the federal voter registration form.
- Permanent Injunction on EAC Requirement
The ruling also prevents the U.S. Election Assistance Commission from implementing any proof-of-citizenship requirement on the national mail-in voter registration form.
- Court Criticizes Executive Order Overreach
The judge concluded that the executive order exceeded presidential authority, emphasizing that only Congress and the states can regulate federal election procedures.
- State-Level Voter ID Restrictions Surge
A Brennan Center report noted that 16 states passed 29 restrictive voting laws in 2025, many involving new or tightened voter ID requirements.
- Ten States Amend Voter ID Laws
As of mid-October 2025, 10 states had officially updated or tightened their voter ID laws, affecting acceptable identification methods for voters.
- Wisconsin Citizenship Verification Order Challenged
The Wisconsin DOJ sought to pause a court order requiring citizenship verification for all 3.6 million registered voters ahead of the 2026 election, calling the mandate burdensome and impractical.
- Growing Concern Over Voter Suppression
Voting rights advocates warned that new restrictive laws disproportionately impact seniors, low-income voters, students, and communities of color.
- SAVE Act Sparks National Dispute
Debate intensified around the proposed Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, which would require documentary proof of citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections.
- Ruling Reinforces Limits on Executive Power
Legal analysts noted that the October ruling sets a precedent, making it more difficult for future presidents to impose national voter ID or citizenship rules through executive action alone.
- Nationwide Trend Toward Stricter Voting Laws
October reports highlighted an accelerating trend of states tightening voter ID and registration rules while federal courts simultaneously push back against broad national mandates.