President Donald Trump signed a sweeping executive order on Tuesday that mandates proof of citizenship for voter registration in federal elections. The move, part of a broader effort to change election procedures, also introduces adjustments to mail-in ballot deadlines and election equipment regulations. Critics argue the order could make it harder for millions of Americans to vote and is expected to face immediate legal challenges.
Under current federal law, voters must affirm their U.S. citizenship under penalty of perjury when registering to vote. Courts have previously blocked states from requiring documentary proof of citizenship for federal elections, ruling that such measures could disenfranchise eligible voters. Despite this, Trump’s order directs the Election Assistance Commission to modify voter registration forms to require specific documentation, such as a U.S. passport or other government-issued identification that explicitly confirms citizenship. Notably, birth certificates are not listed as acceptable proof, and some of the recommended IDs—such as REAL IDs and military identification cards—do not always indicate citizenship status.
Trump has long claimed, without substantial evidence, that noncitizen voting is a widespread problem. However, multiple studies and election officials across party lines have found little to no proof of significant voter fraud by noncitizens. Noncitizen voting is already a felony that leaves a paper trail, making it easy to track and prosecute.
Election law experts question whether Trump has the authority to enforce these changes, with many predicting a legal battle over the order.
“A whole lot of this is illegal,” said Sean Morales-Doyle, director of the Voting Rights Program at the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law. “Federal courts have repeatedly ruled against these kinds of restrictions, and this order is likely to be struck down.”
If implemented, the order could significantly impact voter access, particularly for individuals who lack passports or other approved forms of documentation. Critics warn that it could create additional barriers for eligible voters and disproportionately affect marginalized communities, including low-income Americans and elderly citizens who may not have immediate access to the required paperwork.
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