From the Oval Office, a new presidential directive reshapes the U.S. electoral system and marks a pivotal shift ahead of the November elections.
In a decision already sparking widespread debate, Donald Trump signed an executive order requiring proof of citizenship to vote in federal elections, a measure that redefines the rules of electoral participation in one of the world’s most influential democratic processes.
The order was signed this Tuesday, March 26, at the White House, in front of key officials and international media, launching a protocol that will directly affect voter registration nationwide. From now on, U.S. citizens will have to present documentation proving their citizenship if they wish to cast a ballot in presidential, legislative, or federal elections.
According to the order, the Census Bureau must also include a citizenship question in its forms, aiming to identify how many people in the country are citizens and, therefore, eligible to vote. This represents a structural change that could alter official statistics and electoral district maps in future elections.
The president justified the move by stating that it seeks to «protect the integrity of elections and ensure that only U.S. citizens participate in them.» He claimed the measure responds to ongoing concerns about alleged voting irregularities and ballots cast by unauthorized individuals.
Several civil rights organizations have voiced concern, arguing that the order could make voting access more difficult for millions, especially among Latino, Black, and low-income communities. Groups such as the ACLU and Human Rights Watch warned that it may have a restrictive effect rather than strengthening the democratic system.
The executive order was signed without congressional approval, triggering immediate reactions in both chambers. Some Democratic lawmakers described the action as a political maneuver aimed at influencing election outcomes, while Republican leaders view it as a tool to restore public trust in electoral processes.
As of today, state secretaries must review their voter registration policies to comply with this new federal requirement, posing a logistical challenge for states that previously did not require such verification.
This order will also affect voter registration efforts on college campuses, in rural communities, and in grassroots campaigns, which will now have to include documentary proof of citizenship in their procedures.
So far, the Federal Election Commission has not issued an official statement, while the order is expected to face legal challenges in federal courts in the coming days.