President Trump signed an executive order proposing major changes to U.S. voting procedures, emphasizing voter registration and absentee ballot regulations amid unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud. The order requires proof of U.S. citizenship for voter registration and may lead to penalties for non-compliance. Historical analysis underscores the minimal basis for recent voter fraud allegations.
On Tuesday, President Donald Trump signed an executive order that could significantly alter U.S. voting procedures, following a series of unfounded claims regarding voter fraud. The order criticizes the lack of enforcement of basic election protections and accuses the Biden administration’s Justice Department of neglecting citizenship checks for voters in recent elections. Among the changes proposed, the order seeks to modify the registration process, enhance the integrity of voter records, and revise voting systems. It is expected that this executive order will face legal challenges, as reported by The Wall Street Journal.
The executive order mandates that individuals provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship to register for federal elections. Acceptable documents include a U.S. passport, a Real ID-compliant driver’s license, a military identification card, or state or federally issued identification.
Regarding absentee and mail-in ballots, the order stipulates that such ballots cannot be counted after Election Day. Notably, Puerto Rico and 18 states currently allow the counting of mail ballots received post Election Day, provided they are postmarked on or before that date, according to information from the Associated Press.
States failing to adhere to the guidelines outlined in the executive order may face the possibility of losing federal funding and grants. Additionally, the Department of Government Efficiency, led by tech entrepreneur Elon Musk, will collaborate with the Department of Homeland Security to oversee voter registration maintenance activities across states.
It is important to note that claims of large-scale voter fraud have not been substantiated. An analysis by the Associated Press revealed minimal instances of potential fraud in contested battleground states, which did not impact election outcomes. Furthermore, even a report commissioned by Trump’s own campaign acknowledged the absence of widespread election fraud claims, suggesting a disconnect between the allegations and existing evidence.
Historically, Trump and his campaign alleged substantial voter fraud following the 2020 presidential election, during which Joe Biden secured 306 electoral votes and 51.3% of the popular vote. Investigations into the January 6 Capitol riot revealed that advisors informed Trump about the lack of evidence supporting his voter fraud claims, yet he persisted in propagating these claims long after the 2020 election and into the 2024 election cycle, although he moderated his rhetoric as results began to emerge on election night.
In summary, President Trump’s recent executive order introduces significant changes to the voting registration process and addresses absentee voting regulations, claiming a need for better election integrity. Despite these changes, the legitimacy of claims about widespread voter fraud remains highly questionable. Historical context illustrates that allegations of fraud during and after the 2020 election have consistently been disproven. Legal challenges to the executive order are anticipated as states adapt to these new requirements.
Original Source: www.forbes.com
