Trump to overhaul US election rules,mandates citizenship proof

President Donald Trump has signed an executive order introducing stricter election rules in the United States, including requiring documentary proof of citizenship for voter registration and ensuring all ballots are received by Election Day.The Tuesday order says the US has failed “to enforce basic and necessary election protections” and calls on states to work with federal agencies to share voter lists and prosecute election crimes. It threatens to pull federal funding from states where election officials don't comply.It also warns that states failing to comply could face cuts to federal funding.
The move, which is likely to face swift challenges because states have broad authority to set their own election rules, is consistent with Trump’s long history of railing against election processes.The order is expected to face legal challenges, as states have broad authority over election rules. It aligns with Trump’s longstanding criticism of election processes, as he has frequently claimed rigging even before results are announced, news agency Associated Press reported. Since the 2020 election, Trump has repeatedly challenged certain voting methods and claimed widespread fraud was to blame for his loss to Democrat Joe Biden.Trump has repeatedly targeted mail voting, alleging it is insecure and prone to fraud, even as he has adjusted his stance due to its popularity among voters, including Republicans.
The order’s documentary proof of citizenship requirement signals that the president is not waiting for congressional Republicans to pass their long-anticipated Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, or SAVE Act, which has aimed to do the same thing. Republicans have defended that measure as necessary to restore public confidence in elections. Voting in federalelections by noncitizens is already illegal and can result in felony charges and deportation.
Voting rights groups have expressed concerns that the requirement could disenfranchise people. An estimated 9% of US citizens of voting age, or 21.3 million people, do not have proof of citizenship readily available, according to a 2023 report by the Brennan Center for Justice and other groups.