Trump signs order targeting mail-in ballots, proof of citizenship in federal elections

President Trump on Tuesday signed an executive order that would dramatically overhaul how federal elections are run, a move that follows years of exaggerated claims from Trump about mail ballots and noncitizen voting.

Trump signed an order that directs states to require proof of citizenship when individuals register to vote.

The order, which drew immediate skepticism from legal experts, includes a section titled “Enforcing the Citizenship Requirement for Federal Elections.” The section indicates that state or local officials should record on voter registration forms “the type of document that the applicant presented as documentary proof of United States citizenship,” such as a passport, a Real ID or another federal- or state-issued identification that proves citizenship.

In addition, the order directs the attorney general to target states that count absentee or mail-in ballots that are received after Election Day. Many states count mail-in or absentee ballots as long as they are postmarked by Election Day.