Trump’s Executive Order Seeks Overhaul of U.S. Election Rules/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Trump has signed a far-reaching executive order aiming to overhaul how federal elections are conducted. The order demands voter citizenship proof, bans late-arriving mail ballots, and restricts foreign donations—moves already facing legal threats. Critics say the order exceeds presidential authority and could disenfranchise millions of eligible voters.
Trump Election Order Quick Looks
- Requires documentary proof of U.S. citizenship to register for federal elections
- Bans counting mail ballots received after Election Day
- Mandates federal review of state voter rolls and voting equipment standards
- Prohibits foreign nationals from donating to ballot initiatives
- Targets nonprofits linked to liberal causes, including the Sixteen Thirty Fund
- Directs Election Assistance Commission to update certification rules
- Faces immediate legal challenges over presidential authority on elections
- Critics say it could suppress voter turnout and violate constitutional boundaries
Trump’s Executive Order Seeks Overhaul of U.S. Election Rules
Deep Look
WASHINGTON (Newslooks) — President Donald Trump on Tuesday signed an expansive executive order aimed at reshaping the rules around U.S. elections. The directive would implement sweeping changes, including requiring proof of citizenship to vote, limiting mail ballots to those received by Election Day, banning foreign nationals from donating to ballot campaigns, and imposing new voting machine regulations.
But legal experts and voting rights advocates say the order is on shaky constitutional ground, likely triggering a fierce courtroom battle over whether the White House can impose such mandates on state-run elections.
Voter Registration Overhaul: Citizenship Documents Required
Trump’s order mandates that voters must submit documentary proof of U.S. citizenship—such as a passport or birth certificate—to register for federal elections. The move bypasses Congress, where Republican attempts to pass similar legislation have repeatedly stalled.
The order also compels states to share voter rolls and maintenance records with the Departments of Homeland Security and Government Efficiency. Federal agencies would, in turn, provide data to states to help identify potential non-citizens on their rolls. States that refuse cooperation could see federal election funding revoked.
While voting by noncitizens is already a federal felony, Trump and allies have pushed unsubstantiated claims that it could happen on a large enough scale to affect election outcomes. Voting rights groups argue that millions of Americans lack easy access to documents proving citizenship, particularly among the elderly, low-income, or Native American populations.
“A president does not set election law and never will,” said Virginia Kase Solomón, president of Common Cause.
Mail Ballots Must Be Received by Election Day
Trump’s order would bar states from counting absentee or mail ballots received after Election Day—even if postmarked before. Currently, 18 states and Puerto Rico allow ballots to arrive days later, a practice long used to accommodate postal delays.
The change would directly impact vote counts in states like California, where mailed ballots can arrive up to seven days late. Secretary of State Shirley Weber previously defended the policy, saying accuracy should take precedence over speed.
But critics—including Trump—argue that extended counting timelines erode public confidence in election results. The order would tie federal election funds to state compliance with the new cutoff.
“This would disenfranchise millions of voters,” said California Sen. Alex Padilla, calling the move “unconstitutional and illegal.”
New Rules for Voting Machines and Technology
The executive order also directs the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) to re-evaluate and potentially re-certify voting systems that rely on QR codes or barcodes in the tabulation process—technologies widely used in Georgia and other states.
It remains unclear how this would affect existing election infrastructure. In Georgia, most voters use machines that print a ballot with a QR code used for tabulation. A state law already mandates QR codes be removed by July 2026, but the executive order would accelerate and broaden that change nationwide.
Bans on Foreign Donations Target Progressive Advocacy
Trump’s order cracks down on foreign nationals donating to ballot measure campaigns, an issue spotlighted by Republican criticism of Swiss billionaire Hansjörg Wyss. His contributions to liberal-aligned nonprofits like the Sixteen Thirty Fund have funded campaigns backing abortion rights and other progressive ballot measures in states such as Ohio and Kansas.
Similar restrictions were recently passed in Kansas following pressure from Republican officials. Trump’s directive aims to enforce this ban nationally, extending beyond federal elections to state-level initiatives with constitutional implications.
Can Trump Legally Do All This?
Under Article I, Section 4 of the U.S. Constitution, states are granted the authority to manage the “times, places, and manner” of their elections. While Congress can override state rules for federal races, the executive branch has no direct role in setting election procedures.
Trump’s order echoes a 2021 directive by President Joe Biden that expanded voter access through federal agency programs. At the time, Republicans challenged Biden’s order as unconstitutional—a criticism now turned back on Trump.
“This is a blatant overreach that threatens to disenfranchise tens of millions of eligible voters,” said Sophia Lin Lakin, director of the ACLU Voting Rights Project.
Democratic election attorney Marc Elias vowed immediate legal action, tweeting:
“Moments ago, Donald Trump signed a massive voter suppression executive order. This will not stand. We will sue.”
Ultimately, the fate of Trump’s order will likely rest with the courts. While the order’s symbolic power aligns with conservative electoral priorities, its enforceability under current constitutional limits remains deeply uncertain.
You must Register or Login to post a comment.