President Trump’s executive order introduces major changes to the voting process in the U.S., requiring proof of citizenship for voter registration and limiting counting of absentee and mail-in ballots. The order may face legal challenges, and states not complying could lose federal funds. Despite Trump’s fraud allegations, investigations show minimal evidence of voter fraud.
On Tuesday, President Donald Trump signed an executive order initiating significant alterations to the U.S. voting process. This action followed his continued assertion of unsubstantiated voter fraud claims, criticizing the lack of enforcement for election protections under former President Joe Biden’s Justice Department. The order aims to reform voter registration, voter records, and voting systems, with anticipated legal challenges expected, as reported by The Wall Street Journal.
Under the new order, voters will be required to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship for registration in federal elections. Acceptable forms of proof include a U.S. passport, a Real ID-compliant driver’s license, military identification, or IDs issued by federal or state governments.
The executive order also stipulates that absentee and mail-in ballots, which Trump has incorrectly linked to significant fraud, must be counted only if they are received by Election Day. Although some states, including Puerto Rico and 18 others, allow late ballots that are postmarked by Election Day, Trump’s order seeks to limit this practice.
States that fail to adhere to the requirements outlined in the executive order may face potential loss of federal funding and grants. Additionally, the involvement of the Department of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk, will see collaborative efforts with the Department of Homeland Security to oversee public voter registration lists for maintenance procedures.
While Trump continues to allege a widespread issue of voter fraud, investigations, including one from his own 2020 campaign, have largely disproved these claims. A comprehensive analysis by the Associated Press revealed that instances of fraud were minimal and insufficient to influence election outcomes in battleground states. Trump’s persistent allegations post-2020, including during the 2024 election cycle, remain unsupported by evidence or consensus.
In summary, President Trump’s recent executive order proposes essential reforms to the U.S. voting system, mandating proof of citizenship for voter registration while impacting absentee and mail-in ballot counting. The potential legal challenges and repercussions for states failing to comply underscore the contentious nature of these changes. The ongoing debate over voter fraud continues, though extensive investigations have consistently refuted claims of significant fraudulent activities affecting elections.
Original Source: www.forbes.com
