Trump’s Executive Order Targets Election Security With Paper Ballots

Hand filling out voter registration form next to flag.

President Trump has signed a sweeping executive order requiring proof of citizenship for voter registration and mandating paper ballots nationwide, all while critics argue it’s a federal power grab overstepping states’ authority to run elections.

Quick Takes

  • The executive order requires documentary proof of U.S. citizenship for voter registration and mandates voter-verifiable paper ballot records
  • It directs the Attorney General to sue states that count ballots arriving after Election Day
  • The order gives certain federal departments subpoena power over voter registration records
  • Federal election funds will now be conditioned on states complying with federal election integrity laws
  • The order cites election security practices from countries like Germany, Canada, India, and Brazil as models

Strengthening Election Security Through Paper Ballots

President Trump’s new executive order on election integrity aims to align American election practices with those of other developed nations by prioritizing paper ballots and citizenship verification. The comprehensive directive instructs the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) to establish stronger standards for voting systems, with particular emphasis on voter-verifiable paper records. This move comes amid ongoing concerns about election security and the accuracy of electronic voting systems that use barcodes or QR codes, which some experts argue may not always accurately reflect voter intent.

“Free, fair, and honest elections unmarred by fraud, errors, or suspicion are fundamental to maintaining our constitutional Republic. The right of American citizens to have their votes properly counted and tabulated, without illegal dilution, is vital to determining the rightful winner of an election,” the order states.

Citizenship Verification Requirements

A cornerstone of the executive order is the requirement for documentary proof of citizenship for voter registration, addressing longstanding concerns about non-citizen voting. The order leverages existing government resources to verify voter eligibility, directing the Department of Homeland Security to provide states with access to citizenship verification systems. Additionally, the order facilitates information sharing between federal and state agencies through resources like the Social Security Number Verification Service and the Death Master File to help maintain accurate voter rolls.

“Despite pioneering self-government, the United States now fails to enforce basic and necessary election protections employed by modern, developed nations, as well as those still developing,” the order states.

The order highlights voter identification systems in countries like India and Brazil, which tie voter records to biometric databases, as examples of more secure election practices. In contrasting American election procedures with international standards, the administration argues that the U.S. has fallen behind in implementing basic safeguards that are commonplace elsewhere. The directive makes federal election funding contingent on states’ compliance with these new integrity measures.

Enforcing Election Day Deadlines

Another significant component of the executive order addresses ballot receipt deadlines, directing the Attorney General to take legal action against states that count ballots arriving after Election Day. This provision aims to reinforce the concept of a uniform nationwide election day, as defined by federal law. The administration points to practices in Denmark and Sweden as models, where mail-in voting is limited and late-arriving ballots are not counted.

The order revokes previous executive actions related to voting access and requires a comprehensive report on compliance with the new directive. It also prioritizes the prosecution of election crimes and includes measures to prevent foreign interference in American elections. While supporters view these measures as necessary safeguards for election integrity, critics argue that the order shifts election administration power away from states and the independent EAC toward the presidency, potentially undermining the federalist principles that have traditionally governed U.S. elections.

Sources:

  1. Trump’s executive order on elections is a blatant power grab
  2. Preserving and Protecting the Integrity of American Elections – The White House
  3. Trump Signs EO Requiring Proof Of Citizenship, Paper Ballots

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