President Donald Trump has announced plans to implement sweeping changes to the U.S. electoral system. The new measures, outlined in an executive order, aim to restrict mail-in voting and introduce more stringent voter registration requirements for federal elections.
Trump has instructed several federal agencies to take action, including mandating that anyone registering to vote in federal elections must provide proof of U.S. citizenship. Additionally, mail-in ballots must be received by authorities on Election Day, or they will not be counted. Trump’s executive order claims that the U.S. has failed to implement basic and necessary election measures.
The new rules also require state governments to cooperate with federal authorities by sharing voter lists and prosecuting election-related crimes. However, the president cannot directly enforce changes to state election laws. To achieve his goals, Trump plans to apply financial pressure, stating that federal funds will only be allocated to states that comply with the new executive order.
Civil rights activists have already vowed to challenge Trump’s executive order in court. They argue that about 9% of eligible American voters—approximately 21.3 million people—lack proof of citizenship, which could disenfranchise them under the new rules.
Trump has long criticized mail-in voting, claiming without evidence that it is insecure and prone to fraud. He has also raised concerns about women who have changed their last names after marriage, as they may face registration issues due to discrepancies with their birth certificates. This issue became apparent during the recent elections in New Hampshire.
Trump has repeatedly alleged that the 2020 elections were manipulated, particularly following his defeat to Joe Biden. His claims against mail-in voting continue to be a focal point in his ongoing push for electoral reform.
