GALVESTON (August 3, 2012)—U.S. District Judge Gregg Costa has blocked the state from enforcing five provisions of new voter registration laws that a national non-partisan group said make it harder to register people to vote.

Voting for America complained to the federal court in Galveston that the new laws unconstitutionally restrict voter registration drives from gathering public voter information.

The new laws also limit who can hand out voter registration cards and who can collect the completed registration forms.

In a 94-page opinion filed Thursday in Galveston, Costa blocked the state from enforcing most of those restrictions.

Texas Secretary of State’s Office spokesman Rich Parsons says the ruling is being reviewed and no decision has been made on whether to appeal.

GOP lawmakers say the new rules are necessary to prevent voter registration fraud.