American Law
Election Integrity in America: Donald J. Trump’s Plan for Secure Federal Voting
The policy initiative titled “President Donald J. Trump Ensures Citizenship Verification and Voter Eligibility in Federal Elections” reflects a continuation of long-standing debates in the United States over election integrity, citizenship requirements, and the administration of Federal elections, rooted in constitutional principles dating back to the late eighteenth century. Under the leadership of Donald J. Trump, this effort emerged prominently in Washington, D.C., in 2025, during his second presidential tenure, representing a significant federal intervention into election procedures historically administered by individual states.
VERIFYING ELIGIBILITY IN FEDERAL ELECTIONS: Today, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order to strengthen election integrity by ordering citizenship verification for Federal elections and modernizing and securing mail-in and absentee ballot procedures through the United States Postal Service (USPS). This directive builds upon earlier federal frameworks established under the U.S. Constitution (1787) and subsequent legislation such as the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which collectively defined the scope of federal authority while leaving significant discretion to the states.
The Order directs the Secretary of Homeland Security, in coordination with the Social Security Administration, to compile and transmit to each state a State Citizenship List of confirmed United States citizens who will be 18 years or older at the time of the next Federal election and reside within that state. This measure reflects the increasing use of federal administrative data systems in election oversight, a trend that accelerated in the early twenty-first century with the expansion of digital recordkeeping and interagency coordination. Historically, voter eligibility verification had largely relied on self-certification, a practice formalized in the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, often referred to as the “Motor Voter Act.”
The lists mandated by the Executive Order are to be updated and transmitted no fewer than 60 days before each regularly scheduled Federal election, aligning with established electoral timelines such as those governing the U.S. Congressional elections, typically held on the first Tuesday following the first Monday in November. Individuals and states are granted the ability to access, update, or correct records, reflecting an administrative approach designed to balance accuracy with due process, a principle embedded in American legal tradition since the Fifth Amendment (1791).
In addition, the Order directs the Postmaster General to initiate rulemaking requiring that all mail-in and absentee ballots transmitted by USPS be placed in secure ballot envelopes marked as Official Election Mail, featuring unique Intelligent Mail barcodes. These barcodes are intended to facilitate tracking and verification, echoing logistical innovations first introduced in the early 2000s within the USPS system to improve mail security following national concerns after the September 11 attacks in 2001. The integration of such technology into election processes reflects the growing intersection of cybersecurity, logistics, and democratic governance.
The Order further requires that USPS transmit ballots only to individuals enrolled on a State-specific Mail-in and Absentee Participation List, ensuring that only eligible voters receive such ballots. This provision addresses criticisms raised particularly during the 2020 United States presidential election, when expanded mail-in voting, implemented widely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, prompted debates over ballot distribution practices and voter verification mechanisms.
The directive also assigns responsibilities to the Attorney General of the United States, instructing prioritization of investigations and prosecutions under applicable federal statutes for election officials, individuals, or entities that distribute ballots to ineligible voters. Furthermore, in coordination with relevant agencies, the Attorney General is empowered to withhold Federal funds from noncompliant states and localities. This reflects the federal government’s longstanding use of conditional funding as a policy enforcement mechanism, a strategy historically employed in areas such as education policy and transportation funding, notably during the late twentieth century.
PROTECTING THE INTEGRITY OF OUR ELECTIONS: President Trump’s actions are framed within a broader constitutional and legal context in which the right to vote in Federal elections is reserved exclusively for United States citizens. This principle is derived from multiple constitutional provisions and federal statutes, including 18 U.S. Code § 611, which explicitly prohibits non-citizens from voting in Federal elections. Despite these legal prohibitions, concerns regarding verification gaps and self-certification loopholes have persisted, particularly in states with less stringent voter identification requirements.
The Federal government’s duty to prevent violations of Federal criminal law in elections has historically been exercised through agencies such as the Department of Justice, which has overseen enforcement actions since its establishment in 1870. In the modern era, technological tools such as the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program, administered by the Department of Homeland Security, have provided new means for verifying citizenship status. Originally developed in the 1980s to ensure eligibility for federal benefits, SAVE has increasingly been considered for applications in election administration.
Similarly, the records maintained by the Social Security Administration, established in 1935 under the Social Security Act, represent one of the most comprehensive databases of individual identity in the United States. The integration of such records into election verification processes illustrates the broader trend toward data-driven governance, particularly in the twenty-first century.
MAKING ELECTIONS SECURE AGAIN: The Executive Order is also situated within the political context of President Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign, during which he emphasized the importance of securing elections. Campaign statements, including the pledge that “we will secure our elections,” formed a central component of his electoral platform. Upon returning to office in January 2025, Trump moved to implement these commitments through executive action.
In March 2025, President Trump signed an additional Executive Order aimed at strengthening voting integrity, including measures to verify state voter registration lists, enforce federal laws prohibiting the counting of ballots received after Election Day, and ban foreign nationals from interfering in U.S. elections. These actions reflect ongoing concerns about foreign interference, which became a prominent issue following intelligence assessments related to the 2016 United States presidential election.
President Trump has also advocated for legislative action, repeatedly urging Congress to pass the SAVE America Act, a proposed bill designed to ensure that only American citizens cast ballots in Federal elections. While legislative efforts require congressional approval, executive orders such as those issued in 2025 represent a means by which the executive branch can influence election policy within the scope of existing law.
Historically, the balance between federal authority and state control in election administration has been a defining feature of the American political system. Article I, Section 4 of the Constitution grants states the authority to determine the “Times, Places and Manner” of elections, while also allowing Congress to “make or alter such Regulations.” This dual framework has led to periodic tensions, particularly during periods of reform, such as the Progressive Era (1890s–1920s) and the Civil Rights Movement (1950s–1960s).
The measures introduced by President Trump in 2025 can thus be seen as part of a broader historical trajectory in which the federal government has intermittently expanded its role in election oversight in response to perceived challenges. From the enforcement provisions of the Reconstruction Amendments (1865–1870) to the modernization efforts of the Help America Vote Act of 2002, federal intervention has often been justified on the grounds of ensuring fairness, security, and public confidence in electoral outcomes.
Text of the Ensuring Citizenship Verification and Integrity in Federal Elections
Executive Orders
March 31, 2026
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 20901 et seq.), the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20501 et seq.), and the Federal Government’s constitutional obligation to guarantee a republican form of Government to every State in the Union, U.S. Const. Art. IV, Sec. 4, it is hereby ordered:
Section 1. Purpose and Policy. The right to vote in Federal elections is reserved exclusively for citizens of the United States under the Constitution and Federal law. Federal statutes explicitly prohibit non-citizens from registering to vote or voting in Federal elections and impose criminal penalties for violations. (18 U.S.C. 241; 18 U.S.C. 611; 18 U.S.C. 1015; and 52 U.S.C. 20511). The Social Security Administration (SSA) maintains records that, in conjunction with the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program under 42 U.S.C. 1320b-7, can assist in verifying identity and Federal election voter eligibility.
The Federal Government has an unavoidable duty under Article II of the Constitution of the United States to enforce Federal law, which includes preventing violations of Federal criminal law and maintaining public confidence in election outcomes. To enhance election integrity via the United States Mail, additional measures are necessary. Secure ballot envelope identifiers provide a reliable, auditable mechanism to enforce Federal law without unduly burdening or infringing on the rights of eligible voters. Unique ballot envelope identifiers, such as bar codes, enable confirmation that only citizens receive and cast ballots, reducing the risk of fraud and protecting the integrity of Federal elections.
Sec. 2. Establishment and Transmission of State Citizenship Lists and Prioritization of Investigations and Prosecutions Related to Election Fraud. (a) To the extent feasible and consistent with applicable law, including but not limited to the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a), the Secretary of Homeland Security, through the Director of United States Citizenship and Immigration Services and in coordination with the Commissioner of SSA, shall take appropriate action to compile and transmit to the chief election official of each State a list of individuals confirmed to be United States citizens who will be above the age of 18 at the time of an upcoming Federal election and who maintain a residence in the subject State (State Citizenship List). The State Citizenship List shall be derived from Federal citizenship and naturalization records, SSA records, SAVE data, and other relevant Federal databases. The State Citizenship List shall be updated and transmitted to State election officials no fewer than 60 days before each regularly scheduled Federal election, or promptly upon request by a State in connection with any special Federal election. The Secretary of Homeland Security shall establish procedures to (i) allow individuals to access their individual records as well as to update or correct them in advance of elections; and (ii) enable States to routinely supplement and provide suggested modifications or amendments to the State Citizenship List transmitted thereto. An individual’s identification on the State Citizenship List does not indicate that the individual has been properly registered to vote in the State. State and Federal laws and State procedures must still be followed for an individual to be registered to vote. There may be State laws, not reflected in the State Citizenship List, that preclude voter registration, or the individual may choose not to be registered.
(b) For purposes of this order, an individual is “eligible to vote in a Federal election” if the individual is a citizen of the United States, 18 years of age or older by the date of the upcoming election, and otherwise qualified under the laws of his or her State. The Attorney General shall prioritize the investigation and, as appropriate, the prosecution of State and local officials or any others involved in the administration of Federal elections who issue Federal ballots to individuals not eligible to vote in a Federal election, including under 18 U.S.C. 2(a), 18 U.S.C. 241, 18 U.S.C. 371, 18 U.S.C. 611(a), 18 U.S.C. 1001, 18 U.S.C. 1015, 52 U.S.C. 10307, and 52 U.S.C. 20511. Similarly, the Attorney General shall prioritize the investigation and, as appropriate, the prosecution of individuals and public or private entities engaged in, or aiding and abetting, the printing, production, shipment, or distribution of ballots to individuals who are not eligible to vote in a Federal election.
Sec. 3. United States Postal Service Rulemaking on Mail-In and Absentee Ballots. (a) The unlawful use of the mail in connection with elections is prohibited by various Federal statutes, including 18 U.S.C. 1341, 18 U.S.C. 1708, 52 U.S.C. 10307, and 52 U.S.C. 20511.
(b) To ensure the faithful execution of Federal law, protect the integrity of the mail as a medium for transmitting Federal election ballots and establish uniform standards for mail-in or absentee ballot services implemented through the United States Postal Service (USPS), the Postmaster General is hereby directed to initiate a proposed rulemaking pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 401 and other applicable authority within 60 days of the date of this order. The notice of proposed rulemaking shall include, at minimum, the following:
(i) Proposed provisions specifying that all outbound ballot mail must be mailed in an envelope that:
(A) is marked as Official Election Mail, including through designated markings provided by USPS for this purpose, such as the Official Election Mail logo, as necessary and appropriate;
(B) is automation-compatible and bears a unique Intelligent Mail barcode, or successor USPS technology, that facilitates tracking and is consistent with the other requirements of this section; and
(C) has undergone a mail envelope design review by the USPS to ensure compliance with USPS mailing standards, including barcode placement.
(ii) Proposed provisions specifying that, no fewer than 90 days prior to a Federal election, any State may choose to notify the USPS if it intends to allow for mail-in or absentee ballots to be transmitted by the USPS. As part of that notification, any notifying State should further indicate whether it intends to submit to the USPS, no fewer than 60 days before the election, a list of voters eligible to vote in a Federal election in such State to whom the State intends to provide a mail-in or absentee ballot to be transmitted via the USPS.
(iii) Proposed provisions specifying that the USPS shall not transmit mail-in or absentee ballots from any individual unless those individuals have been enrolled on a State-specific list described in subsection (b)(iv) of this section with the USPS pursuant to this subsection.
(iv) Proposed provisions specifying that the USPS shall provide each State with a list of individuals (Mail-In and Absentee Participation List) who are enrolled with the USPS, pursuant to a process specified in the rulemaking directed by this subsection, for mail-in or absentee ballots provided by such State, along with unique ballot envelope identifiers, such as bar codes, for mail-in or absentee ballots provided to such individuals. The preparation and transmission of each State-specific Mail-In and Absentee Participation List shall comply with the Privacy Act and all applicable use agreements.
(v) Proposed procedures enabling each State to routinely supplement and provide suggested modifications or amendments to the State’s Mail-In and Absentee Participation List in advance of any Federal election, consistent with applicable State law.
(c) The USPS shall coordinate with the USPS Office of Inspector General and the Department of Justice for investigation of suspected unlawful use of the mail involving Federal election materials.
(d) Any final rule pursuant to this section shall be issued no later than 120 days from the date of this order.
Sec. 4. Implementation. (a) The Secretary of Homeland Security, the Commissioner of SSA, and the Postmaster General shall coordinate with the Secretary of Commerce in effectuating all relevant aspects of the implementation of this order.
(b) The Attorney General shall enforce compliance with the applicable Federal statutes referenced herein and provide guidance to election officials, including any instrumentalities thereof; contractors; individuals involved in the administration of Federal elections; or public or private entities engaged in the printing, production, shipment, or distribution of ballots.
(c) The Secretary of Homeland Security shall, within 90 days of the date of this order, establish the infrastructure necessary to compile, maintain, and transmit the State Citizenship List described in section 2(a) of this order, and shall designate a point of contact within DHS to receive and process requests from individuals and State election officials regarding the relevant State Citizenship List. The Commissioner of SSA shall provide all necessary citizenship and identity data to the Secretary of Homeland Security in support of this requirement, consistent with applicable law, the Privacy Act, and all applicable use agreements.
Sec. 5. Enforcement. The Attorney General and the heads of executive departments and agencies (agencies) with relevant authority shall take all lawful steps to deter and address noncompliance with Federal law, including withholding Federal funds from noncompliant States and localities where such withholding is authorized by law. Evidence of violations of existing Federal laws by State or local election officials; States or localities, including any instrumentalities thereof; contractors; individuals involved in the administration of Federal elections; or public or private entities engaged in the printing, production, shipment, or distribution of ballots may be referred to the Department of Justice for consideration of investigation or charges under 18 U.S.C. 2(a), 18 U.S.C. 241, 18 U.S.C. 371, 18 U.S.C. 611(a), 18 U.S.C. 1001, 18 U.S.C. 1015, 52 U.S.C. 10307, and 52 U.S.C. 20511. States and localities should preserve, for a 5-year period, all records and materials — excluding ballots cast — evidencing voter participation in any Federal election (e.g., ballot envelopes, regardless of carrier).
Sec. 6. Severability. If any provision of this order, or the application of any provision to any agency, person, or circumstance, is held to be invalid, the remainder of this order and the application of its provisions to any other agencies, persons, or circumstances shall not be affected thereby.
Sec. 7. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:
(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or
(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
(b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
(c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.
THE WHITE HOUSE,
Donald Trump
March 31, 2026.
Core Concept Cluster: Election Integrity and Federal Authority
Election Integrity
Linked to: Voter Eligibility, Citizenship Verification, Federal Oversight, Public Confidence
Election integrity represents the foundational principle ensuring that electoral processes are secure, transparent, and lawful. It connects directly to mechanisms that prevent fraud, ensure accurate voter rolls, and maintain trust in democratic outcomes.Core Concept Cluster: Election Integrity and Federal Authority
Election Integrity
Linked to: Voter Eligibility, Citizenship Verification, Federal Oversight, Public Confidence
Election integrity represents the foundational principle ensuring that electoral processes are secure, transparent, and lawful. It connects directly to mechanisms that prevent fraud, ensure accurate voter rolls, and maintain trust in democratic outcomes.
Federal Authority in Elections
Linked to: U.S. Constitution, State Powers, Department of Justice, Executive Orders
Federal authority derives from constitutional provisions allowing Congress and the executive branch to regulate aspects of federal elections. It interacts with state-administered systems, creating a dual-governance framework.
Legal and Constitutional Framework
U.S. Constitution (Article I, Section 4)
Linked to: State Election Administration, Congressional Oversight, Election Laws
Defines the balance of power between federal and state governments in election administration.
Federal Election Law
Linked to: Voting Rights Act of 1965, National Voter Registration Act of 1993, Help America Vote Act of 2002
A body of statutes regulating voter registration, anti-discrimination, and election procedures.
Citizenship Requirement
Linked to: Voter Eligibility, Federal Criminal Law, Non-Citizen Voting Prohibition
Establishes that only U.S. citizens are legally permitted to vote in federal elections.
Administrative and Institutional Cluster
Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
Linked to: SAVE Program, Citizenship Verification, Federal Databases
Responsible for immigration and identity verification systems used in eligibility checks.
Social Security Administration (SSA)
Linked to: Identity Records, Federal Databases, Voter Verification
Maintains identity data used to confirm citizenship and eligibility.
Department of Justice (DOJ)
Linked to: Election Law Enforcement, Prosecution, Federal Oversight
Enforces federal election laws and investigates violations.
United States Postal Service (USPS)
Linked to: Mail-in Voting, Ballot Transmission, Election Logistics
Handles delivery and tracking of absentee and mail-in ballots.
Voter Eligibility and Verification Cluster
Voter Eligibility
Linked to: Citizenship Verification, Age Requirement, State Voter Rolls
Defines the criteria individuals must meet to participate in elections.
Citizenship Verification
Linked to: Federal Databases, SAVE Program, SSA Records
The process of confirming that a voter is a U.S. citizen.
State Citizenship List
Linked to: DHS, SSA, Voter Rolls
A compiled dataset of eligible voters shared with states.
Self-Certification
Linked to: National Voter Registration Act, Verification Gaps
A system where voters declare eligibility, historically used but debated for reliability.
Election Process and Ballot Security Cluster
Mail-in Voting
Linked to: Absentee Ballots, USPS, Election Security
Allows voters to cast ballots remotely, requiring secure handling procedures.
Absentee Ballots
Linked to: Mail-in Voting, Voter Accessibility, Ballot Distribution
Ballots issued to voters unable to vote in person.
Ballot Security Measures
Linked to: Intelligent Mail Barcodes, Official Election Mail, Tracking Systems
Technological and procedural safeguards to ensure ballot integrity.
Election Day Regulations
Linked to: Ballot Deadlines, Federal Enforcement, State Laws
Rules governing when votes must be cast and counted.
Technology and Data Systems
SAVE Program (Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements)
Linked to: DHS, Citizenship Verification, Federal Databases
A system used to verify immigration and citizenship status.
Intelligent Mail Barcode
Linked to: USPS, Ballot Tracking, Election Technology
Enables tracking of ballots through the postal system.
Federal Data Integration
Linked to: SSA Records, DHS Systems, Voter Lists
Combines multiple databases to improve accuracy in voter verification.
Policy and Reform Cluster (Executive Actions)
Executive Order on Election Integrity
Linked to: Citizenship Verification, USPS Reforms, DOJ Enforcement
A directive to enhance election security through federal coordination.
Mail-in Ballot Reform
Linked to: USPS Rulemaking, Secure Envelopes, Participation Lists
Focuses on restricting and securing ballot distribution.Core Concept Cluster: Election Integrity and Federal Authority
Election Integrity
Linked to: Voter Eligibility, Citizenship Verification, Federal Oversight, Public Confidence
Election integrity represents the foundational principle ensuring that electoral processes are secure, transparent, and lawful. It connects directly to mechanisms that prevent fraud, ensure accurate voter rolls, and maintain trust in democratic outcomes.
Federal Authority in Elections
Linked to: U.S. Constitution, State Powers, Department of Justice, Executive Orders
Federal authority derives from constitutional provisions allowing Congress and the executive branch to regulate aspects of federal elections. It interacts with state-administered systems, creating a dual-governance framework.
Political and Historical Context Cluster
2024 Presidential Campaign Commitments
Linked to: Election Security Promises, Policy Implementation, Public Trust
Campaign pledges that shaped subsequent executive actions.
2020 U.S. Presidential Election
Linked to: Mail-in Voting Expansion, Public Debate, Election Reform
A pivotal event influencing modern election security discourse.
Foreign Election Interference Concerns
Linked to: National Security, Federal Oversight, Election Integrity
Issues related to external attempts to influence electoral outcomes.
Interconnections Across Clusters
Election Integrity and Citizenship Verification
Citizenship verification serves as a core mechanism to uphold election integrity by ensuring only eligible individuals vote.
Federal Authority and State Administration
Federal directives interact with state-run systems, creating a layered governance model.
Technology and Ballot Security
Advances in tracking and data systems enhance the reliability of mail-in and absentee voting.
Legal Framework and Policy Reform
Executive actions are grounded in constitutional authority and existing federal statutes.
Public Confidence and Enforcement
Strong enforcement mechanisms and transparent systems contribute to increased trust in electoral outcomes.
Enforcement and Funding Measures
Linked to: DOJ, Federal Funding Withholding, State Compliance
Mechanisms to ensure adherence to federal election standards.
Policy Implementation, Public Trust
Campaign pledges that shaped subsequent executive actions.
2020 U.S. Presidential Election
Linked to: Mail-in Voting Expansion, Public Debate, Election Reform
A pivotal event influencing modern election security discourse.
Foreign Election Interference Concerns
Linked to: National Security, Federal Oversight, Election Integrity
Issues related to external attempts to influence electoral outcomes.
