A federal judge in Florida has ruled that a federal law criminalizing voting by noncitizens is unconstitutional, dismissing a case against a Jamaican national accused of voting in the 2020 election.

U.S. District Judge David Leibowitz said the Constitution gives states, rather than Congress, authority over voter qualifications. The ruling applies specifically to the case involving Florida resident Chelsea Cox and does not automatically affect other federal cases.

Cox had been charged under a 1996 federal law after prosecutors alleged that she voted in federal elections while not being a U.S. citizen. Her lawyers argued that Florida, rather than federal authorities, should handle any violation of the state's voting requirements.

The decision comes as the 2026 midterm elections approach and the Trump administration has increased federal enforcement efforts involving alleged noncitizen voting. Reuters reported that about 45 similar cases were pending nationwide, although other judges are not legally bound by Leibowitz's ruling.

The Justice Department could face further legal challenges over the federal statute as courts consider whether Congress has authority to criminalize the conduct under the law.