President Donald Trump has introduced a new executive order that may significantly alter the way future U.S. elections are conducted.
Since taking office in January, the 78-year-old Republican leader has issued nearly 100 executive orders, covering a range of issues from renaming the Gulf of Mexico to dismantling the Department of Education. However, his latest move is stirring intense debate, with critics warning it could prevent millions of Americans from voting.
On Tuesday, Trump signed the Preserving and Protecting the Integrity of American Elections order, which enforces stricter voter registration requirements. The new rule mandates that anyone registering to vote in federal elections must provide official proof of U.S. citizenship. The administration claims this is necessary to maintain “fair and transparent” elections and prevent potential fraud.
“The United States lacks the basic election security measures used by both advanced and developing nations,” the order states, referencing voter identification systems in countries such as India and Brazil.
Under the new regulations, voters will need to present specific documents to prove their citizenship before casting a ballot. Acceptable forms of identification include:
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A U.S. passport
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A REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or state ID
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A military identification card
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Any other government-issued photo ID that meets federal standards
Without one of these documents, voters will be barred from participating in future federal elections.
In addition, the executive order directs state election officials to collaborate with federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security and the State Department, to verify voter registration records. Officials say this measure will help identify and remove noncitizens from voter rolls.
Another major change introduced by the order is a new deadline for mail-in ballots. Going forward, all mail-in ballots must be received by election day to be counted. This would overturn existing policies in 18 states and Puerto Rico, where ballots postmarked by election day can still be counted if they arrive later.
Legal experts expect fierce court battles over the order, with some arguing that it oversteps presidential authority. UCLA law professor Rick Hasen called it a “power grab” that could shift election oversight from states to the federal government. Wendy Weiser from the Brennan Center for Justice pointed out that the president does not have the authority to override existing federal election laws.
The order also threatens to cut off federal funding to states that do not comply, a move that could drastically reshape election procedures across the country.
At the signing, Trump told reporters: “Election fraud has been a problem for a long time. We’re taking steps to fix it, and this will help ensure secure elections.”
However, opponents argue that these new rules will make it harder for many Americans—especially those without easy access to official documents—to vote. Jena Griswold, Colorado’s Democratic secretary of state, condemned the order as “illegal” and an attempt to suppress voter turnout.
Given that past efforts to pass voter ID laws have failed in Congress, this latest executive order is expected to face immediate legal challenges. Whether it will survive judicial review remains uncertain, but one thing is clear—it has reignited a heated national debate over voting rights in America.
