Trump signs order in bid to vastly reshape U.S. elections

 

Tuesday, March 25 The Trump administration continues to push us toward a constitutional crisis, leaving our democracy at a breaking point. Join us at Democracy Docket to protect our constitutional rights by becoming a premium member for $120/year or $10/month. Trump signs order in attempt to vastly reshape U.S. elections President Donald Trump signed an executive order attempting to tighten rules for U.S. elections and threatened funding cuts to states that do not comply. The order will be challenged in court by voting rights groups. Among the changes, the order would punish states that count ballots received after Election Day and would make significant modifications to voting systems and security standards for voting equipment. It would also require proof of citizenship for Americans who attempt to register to vote or to update registration information through a federal form, a move that would make it much harder for eligible voters to use the form. The order mandates the Social Security commissioner must share federal databases with state and local election officials verifying the eligibility of registered voters and those attempting to register. It also charges the Department of Homeland Security and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency to review state voter registration lists. The Trump administration claimed the executive order was necessary to prevent election fraud, specifically noncitizens voting in federal elections. However, election fraud, including noncitizen voting, is exceptionally rare. “I genuinely believe the Trump administration wants to cancel the 2026 elections so that he and his party can stay in power,” Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes (D) told Democracy Docket. “We have to fight like hell against that by every means available." DOJ drops another Biden administration case The Justice Department dropped a case filed by the Biden administration against Houston County, Georgia, challenging the at-large method of electing county commissioners. The Biden DOJ alleged the at-large system diluted Black voting power. Trump bid to take over postal service could threaten mail voting In another step toward upending elections, Trump may soon attempt to absorb the USPS, an independent agency, into his administration. The order could allow the Trump administration to make mail voting — which was used by tens of millions of voters last year — more difficult.