President Donald Trump signed an executive order requiring proof of
citizenship for voter registration, sparking controversy over voter access.
Washington, D.C. – President Donald Trump signed an executive order on
Tuesday that aims to enforce stricter proof of citizenship requirements for
voter registration in federal elections, a move that has drawn praise from
conservatives and sharp criticism from voting rights advocates.
The order instructs the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) to
mandate documentary proof of citizenship, such as passports or birth
certificates, for voters using the federal registration form. It also threatens
to withhold federal election funding from states that fail to comply.
“The U.S. Election Assistance Commission is carefully reviewing the
President’s Executive Order and determining the next steps in enhancing the
integrity of voter registration and state and federal elections,” said EAC
Chairman Donald Palmer.
Additionally, the Department of Homeland Security, in collaboration with
Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, has been tasked with reviewing
state voter rolls to identify non-citizens. Critics warn that reliance on
immigration databases for voter purges could mistakenly target naturalized
citizens, raising concerns about voter disenfranchisement.
Legal experts suggest the order could face court challenges, as election
policies are traditionally governed by state and local authorities. Some
Democratic leaders, such as Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold,
denounced the move as a form of voter suppression.
Trump’s directive also instructs the attorney general to take legal
action against states that accept mail-in ballots arriving after Election Day,
a policy currently in place in around 20 states. This aspect of the order
aligns with past Republican efforts to challenge mail-in voting practices.
While conservative groups, including the Heritage Foundation, have
praised the initiative for bolstering election security, opponents argue it
imposes unnecessary barriers to voting, particularly affecting low-income and
elderly citizens who may lack access to required documents.
The long-term impact of the order remains uncertain as states and
advocacy groups prepare for potential legal battles over its implementation.