President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Tuesday implementing significant changes to federal election processes, including a proof of citizenship requirement and restrictions on counting mail-in ballots arriving after Election Day. The order is expected to face immediate legal challenges.
Trump, announcing the move on Truth Social, claimed his administration had taken “the farthest-reaching executive action in history” to ensure election integrity. However, critics, including Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold (D), labeled the order “unlawful” and vowed to oppose it in court.
Key Provisions of the Order
The executive order directs the Election Assistance Commission to update the national mail-in voter registration form to mandate proof of U.S. citizenship, such as a passport or a Real ID. States that fail to comply with the new requirements could face reductions in federal funding.
Additionally, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Elon Musk’s DOGE, a newly created election oversight body would be granted subpoena power to investigate alleged voter registration fraud.
Legal and Political Reactions
Legal experts warn that the order could disenfranchise millions of voters. UCLA law professor Rick Hasen described it as an “executive power grab” in a blog post, arguing that the changes are aimed at voter suppression rather than election security.
“The aim here is voter suppression, pure and simple,” Hasen wrote. “It targets mail-in voting, a method Trump has long opposed, and it imposes unnecessary barriers that will make it harder for eligible citizens to vote.”
Background and Context
Trump has repeatedly raised concerns about election integrity since the 2016 presidential election, particularly after his 2020 loss to Joe Biden. In Arizona, a state that became a focal point for election disputes, officials and poll workers faced threats following claims of widespread fraud. A state-commissioned audit of the 2020 election in Maricopa County, later widely discredited, fueled conspiracy theories about a stolen election.
Furthermore, several Republican electors who falsely claimed that Trump won Arizona in 2020 have been indicted, including former Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani, who has pleaded not guilty.
Impact on Arizona and Federal-Only Voters
Aaron Thacker, a spokesperson for Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, stated that the order’s implications for Arizona’s “federal-only” voters remain unclear. These voters used a federal form to register but lacked the proof of citizenship required by state law, limiting them to voting in federal races.
The Trump administration has yet to clarify how the executive order will affect these voters or respond to legal concerns surrounding its implementation.
