In a move set to redefine election procedures across the United States, President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Tuesday that mandates sweeping changes, including the introduction of stricter voter identification requirements to prove U.S. citizenship for federal elections.
The executive order, already drawing fierce criticism and legal challenges from voting rights groups, comes as Trump continues to claim that the 2020 election was marred by fraud. Despite securing victory in the 2024 election, Trump has remained vocal about his belief that previous elections suffered from widespread voter irregularities.
Currently, non-U.S. citizens are already prohibited from voting in federal elections. However, under this new order, applicants using the national mail voter registration form will be required to provide specific proof of citizenship. Acceptable documentation includes a U.S. passport, a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or state-issued card, or another valid federal or state government-issued photo ID.
Under the directive, states and local election officials must verify and record documents proving U.S. citizenship. Additionally, the order warns that federal election-related funding may be withheld from states that do not comply with the new regulations, reported on USA Today.
Trump’s order also targets mail-in voting, a method he has long criticized. The directive instructs Attorney General Pam Bondi to “take all necessary steps” to ensure that states do not count absentee ballots received after Election Day. This move aligns with previous Republican-led efforts to tighten voting regulations surrounding absentee and mail-in ballots.
Trump’s order instructs Bondi to establish information-sharing agreements with state election officials to identify and take action against individuals engaged in election fraud. This includes those who registered to vote despite being ineligible, provided false voter registration details, or engaged in voter intimidation.
The executive order is expected to face multiple legal challenges, with critics arguing that the new requirements could disenfranchise eligible voters and overstep federal authority. As the battle over election laws continues, this move is likely to spark intense debate over the balance between election security and voter accessibility in the U.S.
