Trump Plans Executive Order Mandating Voter ID, Restricting Mail-In Voting

President Donald Trump announced plans to issue an executive order mandating voter identification for every vote and severely restricting mail-in ballots, allowing exceptions only for the very ill and military personnel stationed far away. He emphasized the use of paper ballots exclusively and called for eliminating electronic voting machines, citing concerns about election security and fraud despite a lack of evidence supporting widespread issues. Trump and his allies have long questioned the integrity of the U.S. electoral system and pushed for reforms such as ending mail-in voting, which they claim disproportionately benefits Democrats, though experts caution that removing mail-in options could disenfranchise vulnerable voters. However, the president's authority to unilaterally change voting procedures is limited, as election rules are governed by state legislatures and Congress, making the feasibility of such an executive order uncertain and likely subject to legal challenges. The proposed changes come ahead of the nationwide midterm elections in November 2026, raising significant political and logistical debates about election administration in the United States. Critics argue the push is politically motivated while election officials warn of the increased costs and reduced accuracy of manual vote counting compared to electronic systems.