Agencies NEW YORK

Donald Trump on Tuesday signed an executive order enacting broad changes to US elections, including mandating voters to show proof that they are American citizens, counting only mail or absentee ballots received by Election Day and prohibiting non-US citizens from being able to donate in certain elections.

Citing India and other countries as examples, Trump said the US fails to enforce "basic and necessary election protections" used worldwide. "India and Brazil tie voter identification to a biometric database, while the US largely relies on self-attestation for citizenship," he said. "Germany and Canada require paper ballots, while the US has a patchwork of methods often lacking basic chain-of-custody protections."

Trump's order also noted that while Denmark and Sweden limit mail-in voting to those unable to vote in person and do not count late-arriving ballots, the US allows widespread mail voting with officials accepting ballots even without postmarks.

The move is expected to face swift legal challenges, as states hold broad authority over election rules. It aligns with Trump's long-standing criticism of election processes. Since his 2020 loss to Democrat Joe Biden, Trump has frequently claimed elections are rigged and has fought against certain voting methods.

Mail voting and proof of citizenship

Trump has focused heavily on mail voting, arguing without evidence that it leads to fraud. While instances of fraud exist, they are rare and prosecuted when found.

His order’s documentary proof of citizenship requirement signals  he is not waiting for congressional Republicans to pass the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act (SAVE Act), which seeks to enforce similar measures. While Republicans argue this will restore public confidence, voting rights groups warn it could disenfranchise millions. A 2023 Brennan Center report estimated that 9% of US voting-age citizens—21.3 million people—lack proof of citizenship.

Additionally, concerns exist that married women who have changed their names may face registration hurdles, as seen in recent New Hampshire elections where a new state law requires proof of citizenship.

All votes  to be in on poll day

The order aims to require votes to be "cast and received" by Election Day and says federal funding should be conditional on state compliance. Trump's order directs federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration, to share data with election officials to help identify non-citizens on voter rolls.

It also makes federal funding conditional on states requiring ballots to be "cast and received" by Election Day. Currently, 18 states and Puerto Rico accept ballots received after Election Day if postmarked on time.

Foreign Contributions Barred

The order also bars foreign nationals from contributing to US elections. "Foreign nationals and organizations have exploited loopholes to spend millions through conduit contributions and ballot initiatives. This undermines Americans’ right to govern their Republic," Trump said.