Trump overhauls voting via executive order. Here's what the order does
President Donald Trump released an executive order on Tuesday attempting to overhaul the American voting system. His order includes requirements on voter ID and when ballots must arrive to polling stations.
In the order, Trump outlined his plan to ensure that votes arrive on Election Day.
'Free, fair and honest elections unmarred by fraud, errors or suspicion are fundamental to maintaining our constitutional Republic,' reads the text of the executive order. 'The right of American citizens to have their votes properly counted and tabulated, without illegal dilution, is vital to determining the rightful winner of an election.'
It is likely that the executive order will be challenged in court, as have many of Trump's other orders. Election law is typically dictated by states, even for federal offices.
Trump's proposed changes, including requiring votes to be submitted by Election Day, would affect states that allow votes to arrive to polling places in the days after an election.
The Utah Legislature passed a bill this year that would reform the state's vote-by-mail system, including a requirement for ballots to be returned by 8 p.m. on election night.
Trump's executive order mandates sweeping change for electoral systems across the nation.
It requires that:
Voters present proof of citizenship when they vote, including a passport or a compliant driver's license.
Voters present proof of eligibility to vote in elections in the state in which the voter is attempting to vote.
States do not count absentee or mail-in ballots that arrive at their offices after Election Day.
The commissioner of Social Security supply citizen information to electoral databases to ensure that votes are only cast by living, eligible citizens.
The attorney general take 'appropriate action' to censure states that do not comply with election integrity laws.
The order also tightens protocols around the interference of foreign nations in elections, including by preventing foreign entities from making donations to candidates.
'Many of the issues raised in the (executive order) are already addressed in Utah statute and current practice,' said Utah Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson, who oversees Utah's elections. 'Other aspects of the executive order ... are things that we have proactively asked the administration for.'
The bill recently passed by the Legislature, HB300, requires that Utah voters:
Opt-in to vote by mail, rather than automatically be able to do so.
Verify their ballot with the last four digits of their driver's license, state ID or Social Security number, rather than their signature.
Henderson also told the Deseret News that she 'is hopeful that President Trump will respect the constitutional prerogative of the states to manage our own elections, free from unnecessary federal intrusion.'
'We all desire fair and accurate elections, with only eligible citizens casting votes,' she said.
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