Barcodes for Ballots: President Orders Voter Citizenship Scans
Published Date: 4/3/2026
Presidential Document
Summary
This new order makes sure only U.S. citizens can vote in federal elections by using smart tools like barcodes on ballots to verify citizenship. It affects voters, election officials, and government agencies, aiming to stop fraud and keep elections fair. These changes start soon and may require some funding to set up the new verification systems.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 4 costs, 0 mixed.
Mail ballots only for enrolled people
The order directs the USPS not to transmit any mail-in or absentee ballot for an individual unless that person is enrolled on a State-specific Mail-In and Absentee Participation List. States may notify USPS no fewer than 90 days before a Federal election and are encouraged to submit the list of voters to USPS no fewer than 60 days before the election; the USPS must finish a final rule on this process no later than 120 days from March 31, 2026.
Federal funds may be withheld from noncompliant States
The order directs executive branch officials to take lawful steps to deter and address noncompliance with the order, including withholding Federal funds from noncompliant States and localities where such withholding is authorized by law.
Federal citizenship lists sent to States
DHS, working with USCIS and the Social Security Administration, must compile and send each State a State Citizenship List of individuals confirmed as U.S. citizens who will be 18 or older and resident in the State; the list must be updated and transmitted no fewer than 60 days before each regularly scheduled Federal election. DHS must establish the infrastructure to compile, maintain, and transmit these lists within 90 days of March 31, 2026, and must allow individuals to access and correct their records in advance of elections.
Barcodes and official-mail rules for ballots
The order directs the Postmaster General to propose rules (within 60 days of March 31, 2026) requiring all outbound ballot mail to be marked as Official Election Mail, be automation-compatible, and bear a unique Intelligent Mail barcode (or successor technology). USPS will also provide States with Mail-In and Absentee Participation Lists that include unique ballot envelope identifiers. These requirements affect entities that design, print, and mail ballots and ballot envelopes.
Priority prosecutions for improper ballots
The Attorney General is directed to prioritize investigation and, as appropriate, prosecution of State and local officials or others who issue Federal ballots to individuals not eligible to vote in Federal elections, and of individuals or entities involved in printing, producing, shipping, or distributing ballots to ineligible individuals, under a list of federal criminal statutes cited in the order.
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