Trump's Executive Order Aims to Revamp US Elections with Global Inspiration

US President Donald Trump signs an executive order to reform federal elections, demanding voters show citizenship proof and restricting mail-in vote timings. Citing international examples, the order aims to enhance election integrity through robust identification and verified voting processes similar to those in India, Brazil, Germany, and Canada.

In a bid to reform the electoral process, President Donald Trump has signed an executive order prioritizing stronger federal election protections akin to practices in developed and developing nations such as India and Brazil. The mandate now requires voters to provide proof of citizenship during federal elections, and it limits the time states can accept mail-in ballots.

The order takes cues from global examples, highlighting how countries like India and Brazil connect voter IDs to biometric systems for accuracy. In contrast, the US chiefly depends on self-attested citizenship, which raises verification concerns. It also mentions Germany and Canada's use of publicly counted paper ballots to minimize disputes, unlike the varied US systems that pose chain-of-custody issues.

Notably, the order stresses inconsistencies with mail-in voting, pointing out nations like Denmark and Sweden that restrict it to those unable to vote in person and disregard late ballots regardless of postmark. Meanwhile, US states often allow widespread mail-in voting and accept ballots lacking postmarks or those arriving post-Election Day.

The order tasks the Election Assistance Commission with updating the voter registration form to mandate citizenship documentation such as passports or REAL ID-compliant IDs. It also calls on the Secretary of Homeland Security to offer free access to citizenship verification systems and the Secretary of State to supply pertinent database information.

Furthermore, federal agencies under the National Voter Registration Act must confirm citizenship before distributing voter registration forms to those signing up for public assistance according to the directives outlined in the order.

(With inputs from agencies.)