President Trump has taken decisive action to protect American elections from foreign interference. A new sweeping Executive Order makes proof of citizenship mandatory for voter registration and threatens to withhold federal funding from states that fail to comply.
At a glance:
• President Trump signed an Executive Order requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote in federal elections
• The order mandates all ballots be received by Election Day, conflicting with current practices in 18 states
• States that don’t comply with new election integrity measures risk losing federal funding
• The Attorney General will work with state officials to detect election fraud and violations
• Critics question Trump’s authority to implement these changes, while Republican officials praise the measure
Trump Cracks Down on Non-Citizen Voting
President Donald Trump has signed a groundbreaking executive order requiring proof of citizenship for anyone registering to vote in federal elections. The directive aims to ensure that only legal American citizens can participate in elections, addressing longstanding concerns about potential voter fraud.
The order directs the Election Assistance Commission to revise voter registration forms to require U.S. passports or government-issued IDs that prove citizenship. This move fulfills one of Trump’s key campaign promises to strengthen election integrity nationwide.
The Executive Order also requires all ballots to be received by Election Day, a significant change that conflicts with current practices in 18 states and Puerto Rico. States that fail to comply with the new measures risk losing federal funding.
New Requirements and State Consequences
The Executive Order furthermore directs the Attorney General to collaborate with state election officials to detect fraud and violations. This partnership will strengthen election security while giving federal authorities greater oversight in the electoral process.
🚨🇺🇸 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
Finally, the order prohibits election equipment using QR codes. This requirement addresses concerns about transparency and the ability to verify votes without specialized equipment.
President Trump indicated this is just the beginning of his administration’s efforts to secure elections.
Democrat Opposition and Legal Questions
Democrats and voting rights organizations are expected to challenge the order in court, citing potential disenfranchisement of eligible voters. Critics claim many Americans lack passports and that the new requirements could create barriers for citizens attempting to register.
Legal experts from left-leaning organizations have questioned Trump’s authority to implement these changes. Sean Morales-Doyle from the Brennan Center for Justice claimed, “A whole lot of this is illegal,” while Justin Levitt, a former Biden administration official, asserted, “The President’s got almost no power over federal elections.”
The Constitution grants states primary authority over election processes, but the executive branch has some oversight through agencies like the U.S. Election Assistance Commission. Current federal law requires voters to swear citizenship under penalty of perjury, with some courts previously blocking states from adding documentary proof requirements.
