President Donald Trump has signed an executive order introducing stricter voting rules in the United States. The new order requires people to show official proof of citizenship when registering to vote. It also mandates that all ballots must be received by Election Day.

Why Did Trump Sign This Order?

The order states that the US has not been enforcing necessary election protections. It directs states to:

• Work with federal agencies to share voter lists.

• Prosecute election-related crimes.

• Ensure that only US citizens can vote.

States that do not follow these rules may lose federal funding.

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What Will Change?

Trump’s order enforces rules similar to the proposed Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, which also calls for proof of citizenship.

• Supporters argue that this will prevent fraud and restore confidence in elections.

• Opponents worry that many eligible voters, including married women who changed their last names, may face difficulties registering to vote.

A 2023 report by the Brennan Center for Justice found that about 21.3 million US citizens (9% of the voting-age population) do not have easy access to proof of citizenship.

Federal Agencies to Share Voter Data

Trump’s order also requires government agencies like the Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration to share data with election officials. This is meant to help identify noncitizens on voter rolls.

The order further directs the Attorney General to enforce election laws and ensures states report suspected election crimes to the federal government.

Legal Challenges Expected

Trump’s order is likely to face legal challenges, as the US Constitution gives states the authority to manage their own elections. Some states currently accept mail-in ballots after Election Day if they were postmarked on time, but Trump’s order would require all ballots to arrive by Election Day.

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Critics argue that this could make voting harder for many Americans, while supporters say it strengthens election security. The battle over these changes is expected to continue in courts.