The recent order issued by the White House aims to reinforce election integrity amid ongoing debates over voting rights and access. Critics, including various voting rights organizations, are concerned that this measure may disproportionately impact marginalized communities, particularly people of color, who may lack the necessary identification documents like passports.
During the signing ceremony, President Donald Trump emphasized the need to rectify what he described as “fake elections” and pledged to restore confidence in the electoral process.
However, this initiative is anticipated to face legal challenges, with critics labeling it an infringement on democratic principles and an overreach of authority.
As Republican efforts continue to impose stricter voting regulations, Democrats champion measures that expand access to the ballot, including mail-in voting and early voting access. Public Citizen highlighted that a significant portion of the U.S. populace—approximately 146 million individuals—do not possess a passport, and many eligible voters lack immediate access to proof of citizenship, raising concerns about the implications of such requirements.
The White House maintained that the new order would safeguard elections from foreign interference by introducing a citizenship verification question for the first time on the federal voter registration form.
Additionally, federal funds for elections will be tied to compliance with these new integrity standards, mandating proof of citizenship for registration.
The directive also criticizes existing policies that allow mail-in ballots to be counted if they arrive after Election Day, advocating instead for votes to be received by the established election date.
Currently, several states—including 18 states along with territories like Puerto Rico and D.C.—permit the counting of ballots postmarked by Election Day, regardless of arrival times.
Furthermore, the order mandates that the Department of Homeland Security facilitate access to systems capable of verifying voter registration information against citizenship and immigration status.
It also directs a comprehensive review of state voter registration lists to ensure adherence to federal regulations, potentially employing subpoenas for compliance.
In response to these developments, the Republican National Committee has actively sought public records from nearly all states to scrutinize the maintenance of voter registration lists, underscoring their position that transparency and accuracy in voter rolls are paramount to electoral integrity.
