President Donald Trump signed a sweeping executive order Tuesday that will require all voters in federal elections to provide proof of U.S. citizenship. The order also demands that all ballots be reviewed by the end of Election Day, adding strict new standards for states to receive federal election funds.
The new directive applies to voter registration forms used in federal elections and mandates that they include documentation proving American citizenship. Qualifying documents include a U.S. passport, REAL ID or official identification issued by the military or federal government.
🚨 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
Trump said the move is meant to restore fairness and credibility to the voting system. He emphasized that the United States has failed to enforce even basic election security in past years. “It’s an honor to sign this one,” Trump said during the signing ceremony at the White House.
BREAKING: Voting rights advocates say Trump's executive order requiring proof of citizenship 'could block millions from voting'
Isn't that the point? pic.twitter.com/vY2RlJHT7k
— TaraBull (@TaraBull808) March 26, 2025
The executive order directs the attorney general to create partnerships with state election officials to share data and uncover instances of election-related crimes. It also includes a clause that would withhold federal funding from states that do not comply with these new standards.
Critics quickly claimed the order would limit access to the ballot box, but Trump and his supporters argue that the policy protects the value of each legitimate vote by ensuring that only U.S. citizens are allowed to participate.
FREE, FAIR, and HONEST Elections.
“This will go a long way towards ending it [election fraud]. There are other steps we will be taking…We’ve got to straighten out our elections.” – @POTUS
🇺🇸 Proof of citizenship
🇺🇸 Prevent foreign interference
🇺🇸 Prosecute election crimes pic.twitter.com/nlftxgHCi5— The White House (@WhiteHouse) March 25, 2025
The order further states that ballots arriving after Election Day should not be counted in federal elections. This clause is in line with Trump’s longstanding concerns about late-arriving mail-in ballots and potential election mismanagement.
The SAVE Act, a bill introduced by Republicans in Congress, echoes many of the order’s provisions by aiming to embed proof of citizenship requirements directly into federal election law. Trump’s action now puts the administration’s full weight behind that goal.
