President Trump’s sweeping new executive order finally requires voters to prove they’re citizens, obliterating decades of Democrat opposition to basic election security measures.
At a Glance
- Trump signed an executive order requiring documentary proof of citizenship to register for federal elections
- The order mandates ballots be received by Election Day, contradicting practices in 18 states
- States risk losing federal funding if they fail to comply with the new election integrity measures
- The Attorney General is directed to work with state officials to identify and combat election fraud
- Legal challenges are expected as critics question presidential authority over election procedures
Trump Takes Bold Action on Election Integrity
President Trump has decisively addressed one of America’s most persistent election security vulnerabilities by signing an executive order requiring proof of citizenship for voter registration in federal elections. The sweeping directive aims to restore confidence in our electoral system by ensuring only American citizens decide American elections. This action follows years of Democrat opposition to even the most basic election security measures, with the new requirements targeting the possibility of non-citizen voting that has long concerned election integrity advocates.
The executive order instructs the Election Assistance Commission to revise federal voter registration forms to require specific documentation proving citizenship status. Voters will need to provide either a U.S. passport or government-issued identification that confirms citizenship – simply swearing citizenship under penalty of perjury will o longer be sufficient. Additionally, all mail-in ballots must be received by Election Day, a change that directly conflicts with current practices in 18 states and Puerto Rico that allow ballots to arrive days or even weeks after Election Day.
States Face Funding Consequences for Non-Compliance
In a move that underscores the administration’s commitment to election integrity, the order threatens to withdraw federal funding from states that fail to comply with the new requirements. This financial leverage aims to compel states to implement the citizenship verification system despite anticipated resistance from Democrat-led jurisdictions. The order also instructs the Attorney General to collaborate with state election officials to identify and combat instances of election fraud, creating a direct federal role in monitoring state compliance.
“Thank you, President Trump, for this executive order ensuring that only American citizens decide American elections. This is a great first step for election integrity reform nationwide,” said Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, showing that election officials in key battleground states are already embracing the changes.
The order also prohibits election equipment that uses QR codes, which could require costly new equipment for many states. Furthermore, it directs federal agencies to review state voter rolls for ineligible voters, a task that has historically proven challenging due to the decentralized nature of election administration. The administration is clearly signaling that election security will remain a top priority, with Trump indicating that more election-related actions would follow in the coming weeks.
Legal Challenges Expected
The executive order has already drawn criticism from Democrat-aligned voting rights organizations and legal experts who question the president’s authority to implement these changes. Critics argue that the Constitution grants states primary authority over election processes, potentially setting up a legal showdown over federal election oversight. Colorado’s Secretary of State has already denounced the order as federal overreach, illustrating the partisan divide that continues to define election administration issues.
“A whole lot of this is illegal,” claimed Sean Morales-Doyle, director of the voting rights program at the Brennan Center for Justice, a left-leaning organization that has consistently opposed voter ID requirements.
The order rescinds a 2021 executive order by former President Biden that had aimed at boosting voter registration without proper safeguards, effectively reversing Democrat efforts to weaken election security. By requiring documentary proof of citizenship, the Trump administration is addressing concerns about potential non-citizen voting that have persisted despite mainstream media claims that it rarely occurs. With this executive order, President Trump has fulfilled a key campaign promise to prioritize election integrity and ensure that American elections are decided solely by American citizens.
