Ensuring Citizenship Verification And Integrity In Federal Elections

The order aims to prevent non-citizens from voting in federal elections and implements stricter measures for verifying voter eligibility and securing mail-in ballots. This seeks to bolster election integrity and public confidence in election outcomes.

What the order does ​

• Directs DHS and SSA to create and share with states a list of eligible U.S. citizen voters over 18 for use before each federal election.
• Requires that only individuals on state-provided eligibility lists receive mail-in or absentee ballots.
• Orders the Postmaster General to propose new rules mandating unique bar-coded identifiers and tracking for all ballot envelopes sent via U.S. Mail.
• Prioritizes DOJ investigation and prosecution of anyone distributing ballots to ineligible voters.
• Authorizes federal agencies to withhold funds from states and localities that do not comply with relevant federal laws.
• Requires states and localities to retain election participation records (but not actual ballots) for five years.

Who it affects ​

• U.S. citizens eligible to vote in federal elections.
• State election officials.
• Department of Homeland Security, SSA, DOJ, and USPS personnel.
• Non-citizens and individuals ineligible to vote in federal elections.
• Public and private entities involved in ballot production, mailing, and distribution.

Context ​

The order explicitly reaffirms that only citizens are permitted to vote in federal elections and imposes new federal oversight and procedures for verifying eligibility and securing mail-in ballots.