President Donald Trump on Tuesday signed an executive order aimed at tightening oversight of mail-in voting ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, renewing a contentious debate over federal involvement in election administration and the security of absentee ballots.
Trump framed the order as a necessary step to address what he described as long-standing vulnerabilities in mail-in voting. “The cheating on mail-in voting is legendary,” Trump said, even as studies have consistently failed to substantiate claims of widespread fraud. He added that the order will “ensure that each state’s election officials are provided with a comprehensive view of who the eligible voters in their jurisdiction actually are.”
At the center of the order is the creation of a nationwide database of registered voters—an unprecedented initiative in U.S. electoral history. The database is to be developed by the Department of Homeland Security using its Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program. The program, however, has faced prior criticism for inaccuracies in determining immigration status. The effort will also involve the Social Security Administration in verifying voter eligibility.
In addition, the order directs the United States Postal Service and the Postmaster General to ensure that mail-in ballots are sent only to eligible voters and returned by authorized individuals. It further mandates the use of a barcode tied to each verified voter, to be displayed on mail-in ballot envelopes. States that fail to comply with these new requirements could risk losing federal funding, according to the order.
The administration plans to publish the changes in the Federal Register, opening them to public comment before implementation. Trump acknowledged the likelihood of legal challenges but expressed confidence in the order’s durability. “They’ll probably challenge it,” he said shortly after signing the measure. “I don’t see how anybody could challenge it.”
Legal experts and election advocates, however, were quick to raise constitutional concerns. The U.S. Constitution grants primary authority over elections to the states, with limited federal oversight mainly applying to federal contests. Critics argue that the executive branch does not have the authority to unilaterally impose sweeping changes on how elections are administered.
“The Constitution is very clear — the president has no power over elections in the states,” said David Becker, founder of the Center for Election Innovation and Research, in comments to The Associated Press. “This will be blocked as soon as lawyers can get to the courthouse.”
The executive order also aligns with Trump’s broader push for legislative changes, including support for the SAVE Act. That proposal would require photo identification for voting in federal elections and mandate documentary proof of U.S. citizenship for voter registration. It would also compel states to cross-check voter rolls against federal immigration databases.
Trump has urged congressional Republicans to advance the measure, criticizing Democratic opposition. “The Democrats are unified against it,” he said Tuesday, suggesting that Republicans should consider eliminating the filibuster to secure its passage.
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