President Mandates Stricter Ballot Rules to Shield Elections
Published Date: 3/28/2025
Presidential Document
Summary
This order makes sure American elections are fair, honest, and follow clear rules. It affects states by requiring them to count only ballots received by Election Day and to verify voters properly, stopping illegal votes and confusion. These changes start right away and aim to protect your vote without extra costs to taxpayers.
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 4 costs, 0 mixed.
Mail Ballots Must Be Received by Election Day
The order directs enforcement of Federal law that ballots must be both cast and received by Election Day for Federal elections, and the Attorney General must take action against States that include absentee or mail-in ballots received after Election Day in final tabulations. The Election Assistance Commission will also condition funding on States adopting a uniform ballot receipt deadline of Election Day, excluding ballots cast under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act.
Proof of Citizenship for Federal Registration
If you use the national mail voter registration form, the form will require documentary proof of U.S. citizenship and a state or local official must record the type of document and its issuance/expiration dates and any unique ID. The Election Assistance Commission must take this action within 30 days of the order (dated March 25, 2025). Acceptable documents listed include a U.S. passport, REAL ID-compliant ID showing citizenship, an official military ID showing citizenship, or a federal/state photo ID accompanied by proof of citizenship.
Federal Data Access for Voter Verification
Federal agencies (including DHS and the Social Security Administration) must provide State and local election officials access, without fee, to immigration and Social Security databases and the Death Master File to verify citizenship and maintain accurate voter lists. The Secretary of Homeland Security must also provide the Attorney General, within 90 days of the order date, information on foreign nationals who indicated on immigration forms that they registered or voted.
Paper Records and Ban on Barcode-Only Ballots
The Election Assistance Commission must amend voting system standards so voting systems provide a voter-verifiable paper record and should not use ballots where the vote is contained only in a barcode or QR code, except when necessary to accommodate individuals with disabilities. The EAC must review and, if appropriate, re-certify voting systems under the new standards within 180 days of the order.
Military and Overseas Voters Must Show Proof
The Secretary of Defense is directed to update the Federal Post Card Application (used by uniformed and overseas voters) to require documentary proof of U.S. citizenship as defined in the order and proof of eligibility to vote in the State where the voter is attempting to vote. This update is required pursuant to the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act.
Stronger Federal Enforcement and Possible Funding Withholding
The Attorney General is directed to prioritize enforcement of laws prohibiting non-citizens from registering or voting, to enter information-sharing agreements with State election officials, and to prioritize enforcement (including potential review of withholding grants and other funds) against States unwilling to cooperate. The EAC is also directed to cease providing Federal funds to States that do not comply with specified Federal election laws.
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