Washington, D.C. — President Donald J. Trump signed an executive order on March 31, 2026, directing federal agencies to strengthen safeguards against non-citizen voting and to impose uniform security standards on mail-in and absentee ballots used in federal elections. Titled “ENSURING CITIZENSHIP VERIFICATION AND INTEGRITY IN FEDERAL ELECTIONS,” the order invokes the Help America Vote Act of 2002, the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, and the constitutional duty to guarantee a republican form of government, emphasizing that the right to vote in federal elections is reserved exclusively for United States citizens.
The order establishes two primary mechanisms to enhance election integrity. First, it requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in coordination with the Social Security Administration (SSA) and using the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program, to compile and transmit to each state’s chief election official a “State Citizenship List.” This list identifies confirmed United States citizens who will be at least 18 years old on election day and maintain a residence in the state. The lists must be provided no fewer than 60 days before regularly scheduled federal elections (or promptly upon request for special elections) and will be derived from federal citizenship, naturalization, SSA, and other relevant databases. States may supplement or request modifications to the lists, and individuals will have procedures to access and correct their records. The order explicitly states that inclusion on the list does not constitute voter registration, which remains governed by state law.
Second, the order directs the Attorney General to prioritize the investigation and prosecution of any state or local officials, or other individuals or entities, who issue federal ballots to persons not eligible to vote in federal elections. This includes violations involving the printing, production, shipment, or distribution of ballots to ineligible individuals, with potential charges under multiple federal statutes prohibiting election fraud and conspiracy.
A significant focus of the order is the security of mail-in and absentee voting conducted through the United States Postal Service (USPS). Within 60 days, the Postmaster General must initiate rulemaking to require that all outbound ballot mail be placed in envelopes meeting strict standards: they must be marked as “Official Election Mail,” bear a unique Intelligent Mail barcode (or successor technology) for tracking, and undergo USPS design review for automation compatibility. States intending to use USPS for mail-in or absentee ballots must notify the agency at least 90 days before a federal election and, if applicable, submit a list of eligible voters at least 60 days prior. The USPS will maintain a “Mail-In and Absentee Participation List” for each state and will transmit ballots only to individuals enrolled on that verified list. States will receive the participation lists and may suggest updates consistent with applicable law. The USPS is also directed to coordinate with its Office of Inspector General and the Department of Justice on investigations of unlawful use of the mail in connection with federal election materials.
These measures are intended to provide a reliable, auditable chain of custody for ballots transmitted by mail, thereby reducing the risk of fraud while preserving access for eligible voters. The order authorizes the withholding of federal funds from noncompliant states or localities where permitted by law and requires the preservation of election-related records (excluding cast ballots) for five years. Implementation will involve coordination among DHS, SSA, the Department of Commerce, and the USPS, with the Attorney General providing enforcement guidance.
Administration officials described the order as a targeted enforcement of existing federal prohibitions on non-citizen voting, citing statutes such as 18 U.S.C. §§ 241, 611, and 1015, and 52 U.S.C. §§ 20511 and 10307. Critics may argue that the new requirements could impose administrative burdens on states with expansive mail-in voting programs, though the order includes provisions allowing states to request modifications and emphasizes consistency with the Privacy Act of 1974 and all applicable use agreements.
The executive order takes effect immediately and is to be implemented consistent with available appropriations and existing legal authorities. No new rights or benefits enforceable against the United States are created by its provisions. Full text of the order has been published by the White House.
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More than one way to skin a cat.
For the demon Dems:
Relax! It’s an old quip I didn’t mean a REAL cat