President Donald Trump has signed a sweeping executive order aimed at changing how elections are conducted across the United States.
The order, introduces strict voter identification requirements.
Further, it mandates that all applicants provide proof of U.S. Citizenship before voting in federal elections.
To register, voters must now present a U.S. passport, a compliant driver’s license, or a state-issued identification card that meets federal standards.
The directive also orders state and local election officials to verify and record these documents, threatening to withhold federal election funding from states that do not comply.
Despite Trump’s claims that the move is necessary to prevent voter fraud, critics argue that non-citizens are already prohibited from voting in federal elections.
His order, they warn, could make it harder for eligible voters to cast their ballots.
Critics slam order as an overreach
Voting rights groups and legal experts have raised alarms over the executive order, predicting fierce legal battles ahead.
Many argue that the new restrictions will disproportionately affect seniors, minorities, low-income individuals, and students-groups that may have difficulty obtaining the required documents.
Sophia Lin Lakin, director of the ACLU’s Voting Rights Project, condemned the measure as a “blatant overreach” that could disenfranchise millions of eligible voters.
“This measure will no doubt disproportionately impact historically excluded communities.
Including voters of colour, naturalized citizens, people with disabilities, and the elderly, by pushing unnecessary barriers to the fundamental right to vote,” she said.
Moreover,Trump’s order also targets mail-in voting.
Directing Attorney General Pam Bondi to ensure that absentee ballots arriving after Election Day are not counted.
The move aligns with Trump’s long-standing opposition to mail-in voting, which he has repeatedly claimed without evidence leads to widespread fraud.
Additionally, the order requires all ballots to produce a voter-verifiable paper record, aiming to prevent fraud and errors.
It also revokes an executive order signed by former President Joe Biden in 2021, which sought to expand voter registration access.
Despite the controversy, Trump remained firm in his stance, declaring before signing the order.
“This country is so sick because of the fake elections and the bad elections, and we’re going to straighten it out one way or the other.”
