Former President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Tuesday directing his administration to compile a national voter file and to restrict the use of mail-in ballots. The order, titled "Protecting the Integrity of Our Elections," instructs the Department of Homeland Security to coordinate with states to create a centralized database of registered voters.
Legal experts immediately questioned the order's constitutionality, noting that election administration is primarily a state and local responsibility. The order's provisions on mail-in ballots, which would require in-person identity verification for all absentee voters, could face significant legal challenges. Voting rights groups have condemned the move as an attempt to suppress voter turnout.
The White House stated the order is necessary to prevent voter fraud, a claim repeatedly debunked by numerous studies and bipartisan election officials. There is no evidence of widespread fraud in U.S. elections. The implementation of the order will depend on cooperation from state election officials, many of whom have already expressed opposition.
