Pres. Trump Signs Executive Order Requiring Proof of U.S. Citizenship in Elections

This country is so sick because of the fake elections and the bad elections, and we’re going to straighten it out one way or the other. It’s an honor to sign this one.

President Donald Trump before signing an executive order on Tuesday that seeks to change voter identification requirements. The order intends for voters to prove U.S. citizenship in order to partake in federal elections.

Why It Matters: The executive order directs the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) to demand proof of citizenship for voter registration and would withhold funding from states that choose to not enforce the requirement for federal voting. It also requires state and local election officials to record and verify voter documents proving U.S. citizenship.

• EAC Chairman Donald Palmer said, “The U.S. Election Assistance Commission is carefully reviewing the President’s Executive Order and determining the next steps in enhancing the integrity of voter registration and state and federal elections. We also anticipate consulting with state and local election officials.” (CNN)
• The order will likely face legal pushback, with groups and lawmakers saying that demanding proof of citizenship could cause more voting hurdles, essentially suppressing votes for those who would have increased difficulty obtaining documents. UCLA law professor Rick Hansen said, “This would prevent only a tiny amount of noncitizen voter registration but stop millions of eligible voters, who do not have easy access to documents such as passports from registering to vote.” (USA Today)
• Other critics say this executive order oversteps the president’s authority. “This executive order is unlawful. The president does not have the authority to require this. The president cannot override a statute passed by Congress that says what is required to register to vote on the federal voter registration form,” said Wendy Weiser, vice president for democracy at the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University’s School of Law.

Read More: Trump executive order boosts proof of citizenship requirements for voting in federal elections (CNN)

Trump’s executive order on elections is far-reaching. But will it actually stick? (The Associated Press)

Donald Trump signs executive order requiring proof of citizenship in federal elections (USA Today)