President Donald Trump signed an executive order on March 25, 2025, that seeks to significantly change how federal elections are administered in the United States. The order, titled “Preserving and Protecting the Integrity of American Elections,” has sparked a heated political and legal debate over voting requirements and access to the ballot.
Since returning to office in January 2025, Trump has issued numerous executive orders covering a wide range of policies, including changing the official federal name used for the Gulf of Mexico and pursuing major changes to the Department of Education.
The March 25 executive order focuses specifically on election administration. Among other provisions, it directs the Election Assistance Commission to take steps to require documentary proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote using the national mail voter-registration form. The order argues that these measures are necessary to protect elections from fraud, errors, and unlawful voting.
The order states that the United States does not enforce certain election protections as strictly as some other countries. It specifically references countries including India and Brazil, noting their use of biometric identification systems.
New Proof-of-Citizenship Requirements
Under the executive order, acceptable documentary proof of U.S. citizenship is specified to include:
- A U.S. passport
- A REAL ID-compliant identification document that indicates the applicant is a U.S. citizen
- An official military identification card that indicates the applicant is a U.S. citizen
- A valid federal or state government-issued photo ID that indicates U.S. citizenship, or is accompanied by other proof of citizenship
The order also directs federal agencies to strengthen citizenship verification and calls for greater coordination between federal, state, and local authorities concerning voter-registration records.
Critics have argued that documentary proof-of-citizenship requirements could create additional barriers for eligible voters who do not possess the required documents, while supporters maintain that the measures are intended to strengthen election security and prevent unlawful voting.
The executive order also addresses voting systems, mail-in ballots, election-funding requirements, foreign interference, and enforcement of federal election laws.