President Donald Trump has issued a new executive order that could reshape the way Americans vote, sparking fierce national debate. The order, titled Preserving and Protecting the Integrity of American Elections, requires voters to provide proof of U.S. citizenship when registering for federal elections — a move critics say could disenfranchise millions.
Under the policy, only government-issued IDs such as passports, REAL ID licenses, or military IDs will be accepted. It also mandates state election officials share registration data with federal agencies to remove noncitizens from voter rolls. The order further restricts mail-in voting by requiring all ballots to be received by Election Day, overturning current rules in 18 states that allow later arrivals if postmarked in time.
Supporters argue the changes are necessary to safeguard elections from fraud and align U.S. practices with stricter systems abroad. Trump, during the signing, said the order would “go a long way toward ending election fraud.” Critics, however, call it an overreach of executive power. Legal experts warn it could shift control of elections away from states, with lawsuits already expected.
Opponents, including state officials and advocacy groups, describe the measure as unlawful and voter-suppressive. They argue that withholding federal funds from states that refuse to comply could have sweeping consequences. Whether the order survives judicial scrutiny remains uncertain, but its announcement has ignited one of the sharpest battles over voting rights in recent years.
