On March 25, President Trump signed a new executive order that could reshape how Americans register to vote—especially if they’re voting by mail or don’t have easy access to government documents.
The order would require voters to show proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections. It also aims to stop states from counting mail-in ballots that arrive after Election Day and withhold federal election funding from states that don’t comply.
The Trump administration says the order is intended to protect election integrity by keeping non-citizens off voter rolls. But critics say the order could make it harder for eligible U.S. citizens, particularly low-income voters, seniors, and married women, to register and vote.
Why the Order Matters for Voters Without Passports or Real IDs
According to Public Citizen, a nonpartisan advocacy group, and reported by Reuters, roughly 146 million Americans do not have a passport. And the Brennan Center for Justice estimates that over 21 million eligible U.S. citizens don’t have documents proving their citizenship readily available.
Getting access to the right documents may not be easy for these individuals, especially those living paycheck to paycheck or in rural areas. Even if they have the right paperwork, they may struggle to submit it in time under stricter voting deadlines or registration rules.
Married Women and Others With Name Changes May Face Hurdles
One concern gaining traction involves voters whose legal names don’t match their birth certificates, such as married women who changed their last names.
While the executive order is similar to the proposed SAVE Act, which includes a process for voters to submit additional documentation if their name has changed, critics say the guidelines are unclear about which documents will be accepted. Voters could be required to show marriage licenses, court orders, or multiple forms of ID—documents that many people don’t have on hand.
Groups like VoteRiders warn that this could place an extra burden on women, transgender voters, and others whose names don’t match between forms of ID and original birth records.
What Happens to Mail-In Ballots?
The executive order also targets mail-in ballots that arrive after Election Day. Currently, 18 states (plus D.C., Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands) count ballots postmarked by Election Day—even if they arrive a few days later. That could change if this order is enforced, and critics say it may disenfranchise voters in rural areas or those relying on slower mail delivery.
Legal Challenges Are Expected
Voting rights groups have signaled they’ll challenge the order in court. Critics argue that it’s a form of voter suppression, while the White House defends it as a necessary safeguard.
As reported by Reuters, President Trump has stated, “This country is so sick because of the elections… we’re going to straighten that out one way or the other.”
For now, no changes have been implemented at the state level, but if you’re unsure whether you’ll need to provide new documentation, now is the time to check your registration and make sure your paperwork is in order.
