Trump Signs Executive Order for US Election Overhaul, Mandates Citizenship Proof for Voting
US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Tuesday to overhaul the country’s election system, mandating documentary proof of citizenship for voter registration in federal elections and requiring all ballots to be received by Election Day. The move, aimed at enhancing election integrity, threatens to withhold federal funding from non-compliant states. However, it has sparked concerns over potential voter disenfranchisement and legal challenges due to states’ authority over election rules.
The executive order requires voters to provide proof of citizenship, such as a passport, to register for federal elections, bypassing the stalled Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act in Congress. It also demands that ballots be “cast and received” by Election Day, affecting 18 states and Puerto Rico that currently accept mailed ballots postmarked by that date. Additionally, federal agencies are directed to share data to identify non-citizens on voter rolls.
Voting rights groups have raised alarms, citing a 2023 Brennan Center report that 21.3 million US citizens—9% of the voting-age population—lack readily available proof of citizenship. Issues like name changes after marriage could further complicate registration, as seen in recent New Hampshire town elections. Colorado’s Secretary of State Jena Griswold called the order “unlawful,” accusing Trump of weaponizing the federal government against voters.
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Trump has long claimed elections are rigged, a narrative he pushed after losing the 2020 election to Joe Biden, falsely attributing the defeat to widespread fraud. The order reflects his ongoing criticism of mail voting, despite fraud being rare and prosecuted. Trump stated, “This will end it, hopefully,” while signing the order, hinting at more election-related actions in the coming weeks.
Democratic Rep. Joe Morelle labeled the order “immoral and illegal,” while attorney Marc Elias vowed to sue, citing constitutional concerns over states’ authority to manage elections. Conversely, Rep. Bryan Steil of Wisconsin supported the move, calling it a “welcome action to secure our elections.” Georgia’s Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger also praised it as a “great first step” for election integrity reform.
The order is expected to face immediate legal challenges, given the constitutional authority of states over elections. The impact on voting systems, particularly in states like Georgia that use QR codes on ballots, remains unclear. As the Republican National Committee ramps up voter roll audits, the debate over election integrity and voter access is set to intensify in the coming months.
