President Donald Trump has signed a new executive order aimed at changing how federal elections are conducted in the United States. The directive, titled “Preserving and Protecting the Integrity of American Elections,” introduces several changes to voter registration, mail-in voting, and the eligibility criteria states must meet to continue receiving federal election funding.
One of the key elements of the order is a requirement for voters to provide proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections. Documents such as U.S. passports, birth certificates, or other federally approved forms of identification would now be necessary. The White House says this is intended to prevent non-citizens from voting—a crime that is already illegal and rarely reported.
Critics of the order argue that the requirement could lead to millions of eligible voters being left out of the electoral process, especially those without immediate access to official documents. According to data from Public Citizen and the Brennan Center for Justice, large segments of the population—particularly the elderly, low-income individuals, and people of color—may be disproportionately affected. Women who have changed their last names after marriage may also face hurdles if their identification documents do not align.
The order also mandates that mail-in ballots must be received by Election Day to be counted, even if they are postmarked on or before that date. Currently, 18 states allow ballots to be counted after Election Day, provided they were mailed in time. Critics say this could affect voters who rely on the postal system and may lead to valid ballots being discarded.
Another element of the executive order ties federal election funding to state compliance. States that fail to meet the new requirements, including the mail-in ballot deadline, could risk losing federal funds. The order directs the Attorney General to take action against states that count late-arriving ballots, and instructs federal agencies to support the implementation of these measures.
Additionally, the order assigns the Department of Homeland Security, led by Secretary Kristi Noem, to ensure states have access to tools for verifying citizenship status. It also gives the Department of Government Efficiency—run by Elon Musk—an oversight role in reviewing voter registration databases. If discrepancies are found, subpoenas may be used to compel state compliance.
The order has drawn strong reactions from both sides. Supporters, including the Heritage Foundation, have praised it as a move to improve election security. Opponents argue it overreaches federal authority, violates states’ rights under the Constitution, and is likely to face court challenges. Legal experts have noted that the federal government does not have direct control over elections and that enforcement of the order may be limited.
State officials in Arizona and other areas are already exploring legal responses, warning that the new requirements could disrupt election systems and place burdens on both voters and local governments.
Whether the order withstands judicial review or not, it has added another layer of complexity to the evolving conversation around voting laws in the U.S.
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