Trump to Sign Executive Order Mandating Voter ID for All U.S. Elections

U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to issue an executive order mandating voter identification for all elections nationwide, a move that legal experts warn could trigger constitutional challenges.

“Voter ID Must Be Part of Every Single Vote. NO EXCEPTIONS! I Will Be Doing An Executive Order To That End!!!” Trump declared on his platform Truth Social.

Alongside the voter ID mandate, Trump signaled his intent to prohibit mail-in voting, allowing exceptions only for individuals who are “very ill” or serving in the military overseas.

Legal Authority Under Scrutiny

The announcement comes amid Trump’s long-standing, unsubstantiated claims that the 2020 presidential election was stolen. He has repeatedly portrayed mail-in voting as problematic, despite its widespread use globally and the fact that Trump himself has previously voted by mail.

According to the U.S. Elections Project, 14 states and Washington, D.C. recorded mail-in voting rates exceeding 30% in the 2024 elections. Notably, Trump won half of those states, including Utah, where mail-in ballots accounted for 91.5% of votes under Republican oversight.

Currently, 36 states require or request voter ID at polling stations, while the rest use alternative verification methods. Studies show voter fraud is extremely rare, but strict ID laws have been criticized for disproportionately impacting minorities, seniors, low-income voters, students, and people with disabilities.

The Brennan Center for Justice estimates that 11% of eligible voters lack the type of ID required by strict state laws, a figure that climbs among vulnerable groups.

Impact on Voters and Legal Battles Ahead

Experts warn the measure could affect tens of millions of Americans, particularly first-time voters and those needing to update registrations. Roughly 146 million U.S. citizens do not hold a passport, one of the commonly proposed forms of identification.

Trump previously issued an executive order in March 2025, directing the Election Assistance Commission to require passports or government-issued proof of citizenship for voter registration. That order was blocked by federal courts, with U.S. District Judge Denise J. Casper ruling in June that it “violates the Constitution” and interferes with states’ authority to regulate elections.