Trump signs order targeting mail-in ballots, proof of citizenship in federal elections

President Trump on Tuesday signed an executive order that would dramatically overhaul how federal elections are run, a move that follows years of exaggerated claims from Trump about mail ballots and noncitizen voting.

Trump signed an order that directs states to require proof of citizenship when individuals register to vote.

The order, which drew immediate skepticism from legal experts, includes a section titled “Enforcing the Citizenship Requirement for Federal Elections.” The section indicates that state or local officials should record on voter registration forms “the type of document that the applicant presented as documentary proof of United States citizenship,” such as a passport, a Real ID or another federal- or state-issued identification that proves citizenship.

In addition, the order directs the attorney general to target states that count absentee or mail-in ballots that are received after Election Day. Many states count mail-in or absentee ballots as long as they are postmarked by Election Day.

The order warns that the federal government could withhold funding from states if they do not comply.

The order is almost certain to face legal challenges.

“This executive order, if it could survive the inevitable judicial challenge, would severely shift power over federal elections into the hands of the Presidency,” Richard Hasen, a law professor at the University of California, Los Angeles, wrote on his blog in response to the order.

“The aim here is voter suppression pure and simple,” Hasen wrote.

Trump has for years spread unproven claims about widespread voter fraud involving noncitizens and mail-in ballots. He has repeatedly described his 2020 election defeat as “rigged,” pointing to expanded mail-in balloting that was allowed during the coronavirus pandemic.

Trump and his GOP allies have also focused on noncitizen voting, even though it is already illegal for noncitizens to vote, it’s exceedingly rare for noncitizens to vote, and those who do face penalties.

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