President Donald Trump's recent executive order introduces sweeping changes to federal election practices, focusing on security and voter identification. Here are the five major changes that could transform U.S. elections:

1. Mandatory Citizenship Verification Voters must now provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship when registering for federal elections. Acceptable documents include passports, REAL IDs, and military IDs. The Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration will support the verification process.

2. Strict Election Day Deadline All ballots must be received by Election Day to be counted in federal races, regardless of postmark date. States not complying with this requirement risk losing federal election funding.

3. Federal Funding Compliance The Election Assistance Commission will withhold funds from states that don't meet federal election laws and new ID requirements. States must use certified voting systems with paper records and voter-verifiable ballots.

4. Enhanced Fraud Prevention The Department of Justice will intensify investigations into non-citizen voting and registration. This includes cross-agency coordination using DHS immigration databases, state IDs, and SSA records. States refusing to share voter information may lose federal law enforcement grants.

5. Foreign Influence Prevention The order strengthens enforcement against foreign campaign donations and requires DHS to review cybersecurity of election systems. States must implement measures to prevent foreign interference in elections.

These changes are set to impact the upcoming 2026 midterm elections, with states either adapting to new requirements or preparing legal challenges. While supporters view these measures as necessary for election integrity, critics argue they could lead to voter suppression.

States and election officials are now working to implement these changes or contest them in court, marking a significant shift in American voting procedures.

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