Trump Orders Citizenship Proof, Ballot Deadline Changes \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ President Donald Trump signed an executive order requiring proof of citizenship to vote and mandating ballots be received by Election Day. The order pressures states to share voter data and threatens funding cuts for noncompliance. Legal challenges from Democrats and voting rights groups are expected.
Trump’s Election Overhaul Executive Order Quick Looks
- Trump signs sweeping order requiring proof of citizenship to vote.
- Ballots must be received by Election Day under new mandate.
- Order pressures states to share voter lists and report election crimes.
- Threatens to pull federal funding from noncompliant states.
- Order bypasses pending Republican-led SAVE Act in Congress.
- Voting rights groups warn millions could be disenfranchised.
- Concerns raised for married women with name discrepancies.
- States currently accepting late ballots face compliance conflicts.
- Legal experts predict constitutional challenges over state authority.
- Colorado’s Secretary of State calls the order “unlawful weaponization.”
- Democratic leaders promise swift legal action; lawsuits imminent.
- Trump rescinds Biden’s 2021 voter registration order.
- Election Assistance Commission instructed to revamp voting guidelines.
- Georgia Secretary of State praises order as integrity reform.
- RNC launches nationwide voter roll investigation following order.
- Trump promises more election reforms in the coming weeks.
Deep Look
President Donald Trump on Tuesday signed a sweeping executive order aimed at reshaping how federal elections are conducted, igniting intense legal and political controversy across the nation. The order imposes new restrictions requiring documentary proof of citizenship for voter registration in federal elections and mandates that all ballots must be received by Election Day, ending the current allowance for ballots postmarked by that date in several states.
Key Provisions of the Executive Order
Trump’s executive action states that the U.S. has failed to enforce “basic and necessary election protections.” It directs:
- Federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security, Social Security Administration, and State Department, to share data with election officials to identify non-citizens on voter rolls.
- The Attorney General to prioritize prosecuting election crimes and monitor states’ compliance.
- The Election Assistance Commission (EAC) to redraw voting system guidelines, prioritizing paper ballots and conditioning federal funding on compliance with these changes.
The order also threatens to withhold federal funding from states that do not comply with these mandates, including those that allow mailed ballots received after Election Day.
Legal Challenges on the Horizon
The order is widely expected to face swift and aggressive legal challenges. Under the U.S. Constitution, states have the authority to determine the “times, places, and manner” of elections, although Congress can regulate certain aspects. Legal experts say the sweeping nature of Trump’s order likely exceeds presidential authority.
Democratic Rep. Joe Morelle of New York condemned the order, calling it “not just misguided — it is immoral and illegal.”
Marc Elias, a prominent Democratic attorney frequently targeted by Trump, declared, “This will not stand. We will sue.”
Colorado’s Democratic Secretary of State, Jena Griswold, called the order an “unlawful weaponization of the federal government” and accused Trump of attempting to suppress voters at the ballot box.
Concerns About Voter Disenfranchisement
Voting rights advocates are alarmed by the order’s requirement for documentary proof of citizenship. According to a 2023 report from the Brennan Center for Justice, an estimated 21.3 million eligible voters (9%) do not have ready access to proof of citizenship.
The order could particularly impact married women who have changed their names, as seen in New Hampshire, where a similar state law caused complications during town elections.
Republican Praise and Political Momentum
Despite backlash, Trump’s executive order was celebrated by many Republican leaders.
Georgia’s Secretary of State, Brad Raffensperger, praised the measure, calling it a “great first step for election integrity reform nationwide.”
Rep. Bryan Steil of Wisconsin, chair of the House committee overseeing elections, welcomed the action, saying it would help secure elections and prevent foreign influence.
Mike Lindell, a known Trump ally and promoter of election conspiracies, quickly fundraised off the news, claiming the order would “fix our sick elections.”
Trump Bypasses Congress and Escalates Action
The order appears to preempt the long-anticipated Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act (SAVE Act), which Republicans in Congress have yet to pass. Trump’s move signals his administration’s impatience and determination to act unilaterally on voter restrictions.
Additionally, Trump rescinded former President Biden’s 2021 executive order that directed federal agencies to promote voter registration, which Republicans previously criticized as federal overreach.
Impact on State Election Systems
Currently, 18 states and Puerto Rico accept mail-in ballots postmarked by Election Day but received afterward. Trump’s order could force these states into legal conflict over longstanding election procedures.
The directive for the Election Assistance Commission to prioritize paper-based voting systems could also affect states like Georgia, which use barcode-based tally systems — a frequent target of conspiracy theorists.
RNC Launches Nationwide Voter Roll Scrutiny
Coinciding with the executive order, the Republican National Committee launched a massive initiative to scrutinize voter registration list maintenance nationwide. Public records requests were sent to 48 states and Washington, D.C., demanding transparency on how states are removing deceased individuals and non-citizens from their voter rolls.
What Comes Next?
Trump hinted that this order is just the beginning, stating during the signing ceremony: “This will end it, hopefully. But there’s more to come.”
Legal experts warn that courts will likely strike down key portions of the order, but political analysts say it will further galvanize Trump’s base ahead of upcoming elections.
As lawsuits mount and states grapple with compliance demands, the executive order sets the stage for a heated, high-stakes battle over the future of election laws in the United States.
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