No Voting in U.S. Federal Elections Without Citizenship, Says President Donald Trump in Executive Order

No Voting in U.S. Federal Elections Without Citizenship, Says President Donald Trump in Executive Order

New York: U.S. President Donald Trump signed a major executive order on Tuesday, introducing significant reforms to the country's electoral system. One of the key provisions of this order is the mandatory submission of proof of citizenship to vote in federal elections. Additionally, the order stipulates that votes must be received by Election Day to be counted.

The order states that the "fundamental and necessary election security laws" have not been implemented in the U.S., urging states to cooperate with federal agencies for the investigation of election-related crimes. Furthermore, states that fail to comply with this order are threatened with cuts to their federal funding.

Trump's order also addresses his concerns about mail-in voting, which he claims is insecure and opens the door for election fraud. However, there is no evidence to support these claims, as mail-in voting fraud is rare.

The mandate for proof of citizenship, which was previously part of the 'Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act' (SAVE Act), is now being implemented through Trump's executive order. However, voter rights organizations have expressed concern, as 21.3 million U.S. citizens do not have proof of citizenship, which accounts for nearly 9% of eligible voters.

The order further states that all votes must reach election offices on Election Day. Currently, 18 states and Puerto Rico accept mail-in votes even after Election Day, provided they are postmarked before the election day. This order may impose new conditions on those states.

This measure could face legal challenges, as the U.S. Constitution grants states the primary authority to manage elections. Nonetheless, Trump has portrayed this step as a necessary move to eliminate flaws in the electoral process.

Democrats have strongly opposed this measure. Colorado's Democratic Secretary of State, Jenna Griswold, called it "illegal" and argued that it is an attempt to suppress voters' rights. On the other hand, Republicans have welcomed the step, viewing it as an important move to enhance election security.

It is clear that Trump's executive order could bring significant changes to the U.S. electoral system, but whether it will be implemented amid political and legal debates remains to be seen over time.