In a move to reshape federal election oversight, President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Tuesday designed to bolster confidence in U.S. elections by implementing new nationwide safeguards. The executive action mandates more stringent voter registration requirements and enhances security protocols surrounding voting systems.
At the signing, Trump emphasized the urgency of restoring faith in the electoral process, stating, “Perhaps some people think I shouldn’t be complaining, because we won in a landslide, but we’re going to straighten out our elections.” He went on to call the current state of elections in America “so sick” and reiterated his commitment to addressing what he described as “fake” and “bad” elections.
???? POTUS signs an executive order on election integrity that includes the following provisions:
– Requires documentary, government-issued proof of U.S. citizenship on its voter registration forms.
– Conditions federal election-related funds on states complying with the integrity… pic.twitter.com/6A5zVdOAYn— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) March 25, 2025
Among the most significant changes, the order tasks the Election Assistance Commission with updating its registration protocols to require documentary, government-issued proof of U.S. citizenship. States that wish to receive federal funding for election administration will need to comply with these updated integrity standards.
The new federal guidelines also target the technology used in voting. The order mandates the modernization of the Voluntary Voting System Guidelines (VVSG) 2.0, specifically requiring that machines produce a voter-verifiable paper trail. The order bans the use of ballots that store votes in barcodes or QR codes—systems that have faced criticism for lacking transparency and auditability.
In addition to election technology upgrades, the order gives federal law enforcement broader authority to investigate and prosecute voter fraud. It directs agencies to actively coordinate on tracking fraudulent activity and ensuring compliance across jurisdictions.
Another critical component of the executive order is the reversal of Biden’s Executive Order 14019, which directed federal agencies to support voter registration activities. According to the Trump administration, Biden’s order turned federal departments into “Democratic voter turnout centers.” Trump’s new order requires all federal agencies to report on their efforts to roll back the previous administration’s directive.
While the executive order is likely to be challenged in court and debated by lawmakers, it marks a clear shift in federal election policy—moving away from expansive registration efforts and toward tighter oversight focused on citizenship verification and system security.
Supporters argue this order brings common-sense standards back to the voting process. Requiring proof of citizenship to vote in federal elections is widely supported across demographics and ensures that voting remains a right reserved for U.S. citizens. The emphasis on verifiable paper ballots and modernized systems reflects a broader effort to increase transparency and prevent fraud in future elections. The belief is that if elections are to reflect the will of the people, then every legal vote must count—and only legal votes.
