President Donald Trump signed a new executive order Tuesday that reshapes how federal elections are conducted, requiring voters to show proof of citizenship to register and directing that all ballots be received and counted by Election Day.
The executive action marks one of the most aggressive federal moves to strengthen election rules in recent history. It directs federal election agencies to revise their forms and policies to ensure only U.S. citizens can cast ballots in federal races.
🚨 POTUS signs an executive order on election integrity that includes the following provisions:
– Requires documentary, government-issued proof of U.S. citizenship on its voter registration forms.
– Conditions federal election-related funds on states complying with the integrity… pic.twitter.com/6A5zVdOAYn— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) March 25, 2025
Trump has long warned of vulnerabilities in the voting system, pointing to past failures to enforce restrictions on noncitizen voting and late ballot counting. Speaking from the White House, Trump called the executive order a necessary step to restore faith in election results.
BREAKING: Voting rights advocates say Trump's executive order requiring proof of citizenship 'could block millions from voting'
Isn't that the point? pic.twitter.com/vY2RlJHT7k
— TaraBull (@TaraBull808) March 26, 2025
Under the new rules, any individual registering to vote in a federal election will need to include a valid government-issued document proving citizenship. Acceptable forms of identification include a U.S. passport, military ID or official documentation from a federal agency.
FREE, FAIR, and HONEST Elections.
“This will go a long way towards ending it [election fraud]. There are other steps we will be taking…We’ve got to straighten out our elections.” – @POTUS
🇺🇸 Proof of citizenship
🇺🇸 Prevent foreign interference
🇺🇸 Prosecute election crimes pic.twitter.com/nlftxgHCi5— The White House (@WhiteHouse) March 25, 2025
The order also requires the Department of Justice to work with state election authorities to remove ineligible names from voter rolls and investigate suspected election crimes. States refusing to cooperate with these provisions may lose federal support for election infrastructure and administration.
The White House stated the order responds to what it describes as years of negligence in securing federal elections. It claims the previous administration undermined enforcement of laws meant to stop noncitizens from being added to voter rolls.
Though several voting rights groups criticized the move, Trump’s allies say the executive order mirrors growing public concern over election fraud and the reliability of mail-in voting practices. They argue the policy will strengthen confidence in future election outcomes.
The SAVE Act, a bill under consideration in Congress, would codify many of the same requirements now being implemented through this executive order. The White House says the executive order aligns with that legislative effort.
