United States of America - March 2025

On 25 March, President Trump issued an executive order (EO) on electoral integrity. Among its provisions is a requirement to produce proof of citizenship to register to vote in federal elections. Further, it includes restrictions on mail-in ballots so that only those arriving by election day are counted, the exclusion of QR code or barcode technology for vote counting, and enabling DOGE and Department of Homeland Security access to voter registration information. The EO further directs the Election Assistance Commission, an independent and congressionally established entity, to take action to implement the EO’s provisions. The potential disenfranchisement of millions of people resulting from ID requirements, privacy concerns, and the threat to withhold federal funding from non-compliant states has further fuelled concerns. Legislation on some of these issues has passed in the House but is still to be considered by the Senate. The EO and the instructions for its implementation both appear to exceed the powers of the executive branch. 

 Sources: The White House, Brookings, NY Times, Washington Post, International IDEA