President Donald Trump is expected to sign a sweeping executive order Tuesday aimed at tightening rules surrounding mail-in voting nationwide, signaling a renewed push by the administration to reshape election procedures ahead of future federal contests.
According to details first reported by the Daily Caller, the order would direct the Department of Homeland Security, working alongside the Social Security Administration, to compile a list of verified U.S. citizens eligible to vote in each state. That list would then be distributed to states at least 60 days prior to any federal election, establishing a standardized baseline for voter eligibility.
The proposal also includes changes to how absentee ballots are distributed and handled. Under the order, the U.S. Postal Service would only be permitted to send mail-in ballots to individuals appearing on each state’s approved voter list. Additionally, ballots would be required to use designated secure envelopes and include unique barcodes, allowing for tracking throughout the mailing process.
Supporters of the move argue that such measures are intended to strengthen confidence in election systems, particularly when it comes to ensuring that ballots are only sent to eligible voters and are handled securely from start to finish.
The executive action would also instruct the U.S. attorney general to prioritize investigations and prosecutions involving allegations of ballots being sent to ineligible voters. States that fail to comply with the new requirements could face the loss of certain federal funds, adding a layer of enforcement to the policy.
In a statement, White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson said election integrity remains a central priority for the president, arguing that voters returned him to office in part because of support for stricter safeguards.
“The President will do everything in his power to defend the safety and security of American elections and to ensure that only American citizens are voting in them,” Jackson said, while also urging Congress to pass related legislation.
That legislation, known as the SAVE America Act, is currently under debate in the Senate. The bill would require proof of U.S. citizenship and identification to vote, mandate that states update their voter rolls, and limit the circumstances under which mail-in ballots can be used.
The proposal was brought to the Senate floor for debate on March 17, and Trump has indicated strong support for its passage. He has said he would consider using the standing filibuster to advance the measure and has signaled a willingness to veto other legislation until it is enacted.
“It must be done immediately. It supersedes everything else,” Trump said in a recent Truth Social post.
Election integrity has remained a central issue for the president and his political allies. The Republican National Committee has expanded its efforts in this area in recent election cycles, filing more than 100 lawsuits across over 20 states during the 2024 cycle alone. Many of those cases have focused on mail-in voting rules and procedures.
The issue has also reached the nation’s highest court. The Supreme Court recently heard oral arguments in Watson v. Republican National Committee, a case examining whether federal law requires mail-in ballots to be received by Election Day.
As debates continue in Washington and beyond, the administration’s executive action underscores a broader push to tighten election systems—one that is likely to fuel both support and opposition as the country moves closer to the next round of federal elections.
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