Preserving and Protecting the Integrity of American Elections Executive Order #14248
POLICY UPDATE Background On March 25, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order that changes the National Voter Registration Form requirements to include documentary proof of citizenship and ID verification by state or local election officials. Under this order, prospective voters would have to bring their birth certificate or passport to their polling station in order to register to vote. This creates significant hurdles for marginalized groups. For example, women who changed their names after getting married will not be able to use their birth certificate to verify their citizenship. In addition, only one-third of Black Americans currently own a passport. Obtaining one costs over $150 and can take at least six weeks to arrive. The order will also make it more difficult for transgender people, students, and disabled people to vote.
Current Landscape Since President Trump issued the order, 19 states and more than five organizations, including the Democratic National Committee, have filed lawsuits against his Administration. The plaintiffs assert that the President does not have the authority to direct the Election Assistance Commission to change the national voter registration form because it is an independent agency. Additionally, the state attorneys general argue that the executive branch does not have the authority to dictate election operations. The Constitution grants states the right to determine how elections are administered and Congress the ability to override those laws, fueling the states’ claim that the executive order is unenforceable. Voter advocacy organizations are also arguing that the order will lead to discrimination at the polls and purges of lawful voters. The Congressional Voting Rights Caucus and several civil rights organizations have condemned the order for creating barriers to voting rights and accessibility.
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