Trump Issues Executive Order Demanding Citizenship Proof for Voting
President Donald Trump signed a sweeping executive order on Tuesday that significantly alters federal election registration requirements, mandating documentary proof of citizenship and stricter ballot submission deadlines.
Key Provisions of the Order
The executive order introduces several controversial changes to the U.S. election process:
Requires documentary proof of citizenship to register for federal elections
Demands all ballots be received by Election Day
Threatens to withhold federal funding from states that do not comply with new guidelines
Calls for states to share voter lists and prosecute election crimes
Potential Impact and Controversy
Voting rights groups have raised significant concerns about the order’s potential consequences. An estimated 21.3 million U.S. citizens could face registration challenges due to lack of readily available citizenship documentation.
Specific challenges may include:
Difficulties for married women who have changed their names
Potential disenfranchisement of eligible voters
Restrictions on mail-in voting practices
Legal Challenges Expected
Constitutional experts anticipate swift legal challenges, noting that the U.S. Constitution primarily grants states authority over election procedures. Colorado’s Secretary of State Jena Griswold has already characterized the order as an “unlawful” federal overreach.
Political Reaction
Republican lawmakers, including Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, have praised the order as a step toward “election integrity.” However, Democrats view it as a potential mechanism to suppress voter participation.
Trump defended the executive order, stating it would “end” election fraud, with hints of additional election-related actions forthcoming in the coming weeks.
Reference
Trump Issues Executive Order Demanding Citizenship Proof for Voting