Trump Pushes Federal Control Over State-Run Elections
Key Takeaways
- Trump signs executive order to create national lists of eligible voters.
- Order directs USPS to send ballots only to voters on the lists.
- Experts say the authority is unclear; legal challenges anticipated and state pushback.
Federal Email
Trump signed an executive order aiming to impose federal control over mail-in ballots.
“The measure orders the Department of Homeland Security, in coordination with the Social Security Administration, to develop the roster of eligible voters in each state”
DHS and SSA would create lists of citizens eligible to vote, transmitted to state election officials.
USPS would only send ballots to voters on these lists, with unique bar codes for tracking.
Election law experts condemned the order as unconstitutional.
States Fight Back
New Jersey officials responded with unified condemnation.
California leaders also vowed to fight the order in court.
Voter rights organizations pledged to sue.
The order raised privacy and security concerns.
Legal Authority Questioned
Legal experts questioned whether Trump has the authority to impose national voting rules by executive order.
“Trump pushes for creation of a national voter registry in the United States”
Judges have previously blocked a Trump executive order on elections.
The order required states to provide a list of eligible voters 60 days before an election.
Trumps Contradictions
Trump branded the order as foolproof while continuing to use mail ballots himself.
He threatened to strip states of federal funds.
Critics pointed out the irony that Trump has voted by mail multiple times.
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