The Trump administration has suffered another legal setback after a federal judge blocked a controversial initiative targeting voter registration records just before the November 3 midterm elections.

US District Judge Tanya Chutkan prohibited the Justice Department and Department of Homeland Security from sending states lists of registered voters suspected of lacking American citizenship.

The administration also cannot demand that states separate or exclude those ballots until voters provide additional citizenship documentation.

Trump officials argued that the measures were necessary to prevent voting by noncitizens.

However, critics warned that the initiative could prevent eligible American citizens from voting and undermine state authority over election administration.

The ruling highlights growing legal tensions surrounding the administration's attempts to influence electoral procedures.