President Trump has secured America’s elections by signing an Executive Order that requires voters to show proof of citizenship to cast their ballot. How is this controversial, again?
At a glance:
- President Trump signed an Executive Order requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote in federal elections
- The order mandates that all ballots must be received by Election Day, affecting current practices in 18 states
- States risk losing federal funding if they fail to comply with the new requirements
- The Department of Homeland Security will access state voter rolls to ensure accuracy
- Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and other Republican officials praised the order as a step toward election integrity
Trump Takes Bold Action to Secure Elections
President Donald Trump has signed a sweeping Executive Order requiring proof of citizenship for voter registration in federal elections, delivering on his promise to protect election integrity. The decisive action aims to prevent non-citizens from illegally casting ballots and potentially influencing American elections. And for some reasons Democrats are mad about it.
The order directs the federal Election Assistance Commission to require citizenship documentation within 30 days, fundamentally changing how Americans register to vote. The move has been celebrated by Republicans who have long advocated for stronger safeguards against potential voter fraud.
HUGE WIN for election integrity. President Trump is keeping his promise to secure our elections.
Requiring proof of citizenship, paper ballot trails, and investigating fraud are all commonsense steps to protect the vote. https://t.co/ruG23nA3SX
— Michael Whatley (@ChairmanWhatley) March 25, 2025
Trump’s Executive Order specifically targets the practice of counting absentee or mail-in ballots received after Election Day, aligning with his previous criticisms of extended ballot counting. This change would affect current practices in 18 states and Puerto Rico that currently allow for post-Election Day ballot receipt under certain conditions.
States Face Consequences for Non-Compliance
The Executive Order includes strong enforcement mechanisms, threatening to withdraw federal funding from states that fail to comply with the new requirements. This provision signals the administration’s serious commitment to implementing these election integrity measures nationwide.
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has been tasked with gathering “information on all foreign nationals who have indicated on any immigration form that they have registered or voted in a Federal, State, or local election, and shall also take all appropriate action to submit to relevant State or local election officials such information.” This comprehensive approach aims to identify potential voting violations and ensure only eligible citizens participate in elections.
🚨🇺🇸 TRUMP SIGNS EXECUTIVE ORDER ON ELECTION INTEGRITY
The order mandates proof of U.S. citizenship for voter registration and ties federal election funds to compliance with federal integrity standards.
It bans barcode-only ballots, requires paper ballot records, and pushes new… https://t.co/xKDB3LqEFU pic.twitter.com/5RTydgPxs1
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) March 25, 2025
Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger praised the order, stating: “Thank you, President Trump, for this Executive Order ensuring that only American citizens decide American elections.” His endorsement underscores the support among Republican election officials for strengthening citizenship verification in the voting process.
Democrat Opposition and Legal Challenges
The Executive Order has already drawn criticism from Democrats and voting rights advocates who claim it could disenfranchise eligible voters. Opponents point to studies suggesting approximately 9% of voting-age citizens lack readily available citizenship documentation, potentially creating barriers to voter registration.
Legal challenges are expected from Democratic state Attorneys General and voting rights groups, arguing that the Constitution grants states primary authority over election processes. Colorado’s Secretary of State has already criticized the order as an unlawful federal overreach.