A key component of the overhaul requires voters to demonstrate citizenship, and all mail-in ballots must be submitted before Election Day.
President Trump has initiated a broad overhaul of the US election system by signing an executive order that includes a requirement for voter registration applicants to provide proof of citizenship.
The executive order, officially titled ‘Preserving and protecting the integrity of American elections,’ encourages states to collaborate with federal agencies, share voter registration information, and prosecute election-related offenses. It also stipulates that states could lose federal funding if they fail to adhere to the order.
The order states: “Despite pioneering self-government, the United States now fails to enforce basic and necessary election protections employed by modern, developed nations, as well as those still developing,” and references security measures implemented by other countries, such as biometric identification and restrictions on mail-in voting.
The document emphasizes: “Free, fair, and honest elections unmarred by fraud, errors, or suspicion are fundamental to maintaining our constitutional republic. The right of American citizens to have their votes properly counted and tabulated, without illegal dilution, is vital to determining the rightful winner of an election.”
The order mandates that individuals registering to vote in federal elections must provide proof of citizenship, mirroring the objectives of the proposed Republican-backed Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act. Republicans have long maintained that while it is already a felony for non-citizens to vote in federal elections, further measures are needed to bolster public trust in the electoral process.
However, voting rights advocates have criticized the proposed change, citing that many eligible American voters may not readily possess proof of citizenship. A 2023 report from the Brennan Center for Justice and other organizations indicates that approximately 21.3 million US citizens of voting age, or about 9%, lack such documentation.
Trump has frequently voiced concerns about the integrity of the US voting system, alleging it is prone to irregularities and fraud, with a particular focus on his opposition to mail-in voting. The executive order now stipulates that all votes must be “cast and received” prior to Election Day, with states’ compliance being a condition for receiving federal funding.
The initiative has already drawn criticism, with opponents pledging legal challenges. Oregon’s Secretary of State, Tobias Read, described the order as an “action against democracy,” highlighting his state’s reliance on mail-in voting.
Read stated: “It is every American citizen’s right to hold politicians accountable at the ballot box. This executive order is a threat to that right and a threat to our responsibility as states to run fair, secure elections. This illegal action against American democracy will be challenged, and it will not stand.”