A federal judge has ruled that Iowa can continue challenging the validity of ballots from suspected noncitizens. This follows civil rights concerns over potential disenfranchisement of newly naturalized citizens. Judge Stephen Locher stated the ruling supports election integrity and allows investigation of over 2,000 names on voter rolls. The state will require some voters to use provisional ballots, rather than removing them from the rolls. While GOP officials tout the ruling as necessary to prevent illegal voting, critics argue it could unfairly affect eligible voters.