Trump mandates proof of citizenship for U.S. elections

U.S. President Donald Trump has signed a significant executive order aimed at changing the way elections are conducted in the United States. This new action requires voters to provide proof of citizenship to register for federal elections. It also mandates that all ballots must be received by Election Day. In his order, Trump states that the U.S. has not properly enforced important election protections. He is asking states to cooperate with federal agencies on voter list sharing and prosecution of election crimes. The order warns that states could lose federal funding if they do not comply. This move may face quick legal challenges from voting rights groups. Trump has long criticized election processes, often claiming they are rigged. Since losing the 2020 election to Joe Biden, he has specifically targeted mail-in voting, claiming without evidence that it allows fraud. The requirement for proof of citizenship could potentially affect many eligible voters. A report indicates that about 21.3 million U.S. citizens may not have easy access to such documents. Concerns have been raised that women who have changed their names might also face issues when attempting to register. The order changes current rules regarding mailed ballots. Currently, some states allow ballots sent after Election Day to be counted if they are postmarked on or before that day. Trump's executive action is likely to encounter opposition, as the U.S. Constitution gives states the primary authority over elections. Some election officials and lawmakers have praised Trump's actions. They argue that it is vital to ensure election integrity. Trump mentioned that more changes regarding elections are planned in the coming weeks, emphasizing his focus on addressing election fraud.