Trump Issues Executive Order to Target Mail-In Voting

On Tuesday, President Donald Trump unveiled an executive order targeting mail-in voting, according to the White House. The directive aims to strengthen voter integrity by ensuring accurate ballot counts. “We want honest voting in our country because without it, we can’t have a true nation,” Trump stated after signing the order in the Oval Office.

“We want honest voting in our country because without it, we can’t have a true nation.” — President Donald Trump

Despite the administration’s claims, the specific legal basis for the order remains uncertain. States typically manage election processes, so the president’s move could face scrutiny. Trump has long asserted that U.S. elections are plagued by fraud and has pushed for citizenship verification requirements.

The order mandates the Homeland Security Secretary, alongside the Social Security Administration Commissioner, to gather “State Citizenship Lists” from federal databases. These lists, derived from records like naturalization files and SAVE data, will be sent to state election officials at least 60 days before federal elections or upon request for special elections.

Verification and USPS Measures

White House aide Will Sharf explained that the order will use federal data to confirm voter eligibility and task the U.S. Postal Service with implementing new safeguards. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick added that states must apply a bar code to mail-in ballots, ensuring each envelope corresponds to a single vote.

Experts emphasize that noncitizen voting in federal elections is already illegal and occurs very infrequently. Foreigners who cast ballots risk legal consequences, including deportation, if discovered. While the order seeks to streamline verification, its impact on election procedures remains debated.

Republican Strategy and Legislative Efforts

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries denounced the executive order as an “unlawful power grab,” asserting that the Constitution grants states autonomy in managing elections. “We will fight back against this desperate Republican scheme to take over our free and fair elections,” he said, aiming to end voter suppression.

Trump has also proposed the “Save America Act,” which includes citizenship proof requirements and other election law changes. However, the bill has stalled in the Senate. Notably, Trump defended his own mail-in ballot in a recent Florida special election, stating, “Because of the fact that I’m President of the United States.”

“Because of the fact that I’m President of the United States.” — President Donald Trump

This story has been updated with additional details. CNN’s Manu Raju contributed to this report.