US Issues Executive Order to Strengthen Citizenship Verification and Election Integrity
Washington, D.C.: Acting under constitutional authority and existing federal law, the President has issued an extensive executive order aimed at ensuring citizenship verification and safeguarding the integrity of federal elections.
The order states that the right to vote in federal elections is reserved exclusively for U.S. citizens under the Constitution and federal law. It notes that federal statutes already prohibit non-citizens from registering or voting and impose criminal penalties for violations. The directive further emphasizes that the federal government has a constitutional duty to enforce election laws and maintain public confidence in election outcomes.
Citing available federal resources, the order highlights that records maintained by the Social Security Administration (SSA), in conjunction with the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program, can assist in verifying voter identity and eligibility. It also calls for enhanced election integrity measures through the use of the United States Mail, including secure ballot envelope identifiers such as barcodes to ensure only eligible citizens receive and cast ballots.
Under the order, the Secretary of Homeland Security, working with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and the SSA, is directed to compile and transmit to each state’s chief election official a “State Citizenship List.” This list will include individuals confirmed to be U.S. citizens who are at least 18 years old and reside in the relevant state. The data will be drawn from federal citizenship and naturalization records, SSA data, the SAVE program, and other federal databases. These lists are to be updated and shared no later than 60 days before federal elections, or sooner if requested for special elections.
The order requires DHS to establish procedures allowing individuals to access, update, or correct their records, and permits states to suggest modifications. However, inclusion on the list does not automatically register an individual to vote, as state laws and procedures still apply.
The directive defines eligibility for federal voting as being a U.S. citizen aged 18 or older and otherwise qualified under state law. It instructs the Attorney General to prioritize investigations and prosecutions of election-related violations, including cases where ballots are issued to ineligible individuals or where entities are involved in the unauthorized production, distribution, or shipment of ballots.
The executive order also mandates new rulemaking by the United States Postal Service (USPS) within 60 days to establish uniform standards for handling mail-in and absentee ballots. Proposed rules include requirements that ballots be sent in envelopes marked as Official Election Mail, equipped with Intelligent Mail barcodes for tracking, and approved through USPS design review processes.
States intending to use USPS for mail-in or absentee ballots may be required to notify the agency at least 90 days before an election and provide lists of eligible voters 60 days in advance. The USPS would then maintain a “Mail-In and Absentee Participation List” and ensure ballots are transmitted only to individuals on that list. The agency is also directed to coordinate with its Office of Inspector General and the Department of Justice to investigate suspected unlawful use of election mail.
Implementation of the order will involve coordination among DHS, SSA, USPS, and the Department of Commerce. DHS is required to establish the infrastructure for the citizenship database within 90 days, while the Department of Justice will oversee enforcement and provide guidance to election officials and related entities.
The order authorizes federal agencies to take lawful steps to address noncompliance, including potential withholding of federal funds where permitted by law. It also calls for the preservation of election-related records—excluding ballots—for five years.
The directive includes standard provisions stating that it does not override existing legal authorities, must be implemented consistent with applicable law and available funding, and does not create enforceable legal rights for private parties. It also includes a severability clause, ensuring that if any part of the order is invalidated, the remainder remains in effect.
The administration said the measures are intended to deter fraud, enhance transparency, and reinforce trust in the electoral process while protecting the rights of eligible voters.
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