Trump Signs Executive Order To Build National Voter List, Cut Mail Ballots
Key Takeaways
- Directs creation of a federal list of eligible voters per state.
- Directs USPS to send mail ballots only to verified voters.
- Experts say authority is unclear and lawsuits are likely.
Trump Pushes National Voter List
Trump signed an executive order to create a federal national voter list and restrict mail-in ballots.
“WASHINGTON -- President Donald Trump on Tuesday signed an executive order creating a nationwide list of verified eligible voters, a move that is sure to draw legal challenges as the president continues to demand further restrictions on voting ahead of this year's midterm elections”
The order directs DHS to work with SSA to create a list of eligible voters in each state.
It seeks to bar USPS from sending absentee ballots to those not on the approved list.
Voting fraud is incredibly rare: Washington had just 15 cases of noncitizen voting since 1982.
The move instantly drew legal threats from state Democratic officials.
Experts Warn Order Is Unconstitutional
Legal experts warned the order is almost certain to be challenged in court.
The Atlantic Council described the campaign as a high-risk gamble.
More than two dozen states have already rejected previous Trump administration efforts.
Washington Secretary of State Hobbs emphasized the Constitution grants authority exclusively to states and Congress.
The order attempts to condition federal funding on compliance.
Postal Service Given Ballot Policing Role
The order gives USPS an unprecedented role to deliver ballots only to those on the approved list.
“Washington — President Trump signed an executive order Tuesday requiring states to impose stricter mail-in voting rules and directing his administration to create a list of confirmed U”
It requires secure ballot envelopes with official markings and barcodes for tracking.
Experts questioned how the underfunded Postal Service would absorb such a mandate.
The order instructs DOJ to prioritize investigation of officials who distribute ballots to ineligible voters.
USPS has been thrust into a contentious political battle.
Divergent Coverage of Voter Fraud
KOMO provided exact numbers on noncitizen voting in Washington.
The Guardian highlighted warnings from voting rights advocates of unlawful suppression.
AP and ABC7 noted legal threats but centered Trump's rhetoric.
The Atlantic Council framed the operation as an escalation toward regime change.
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