President Donald Trump announced Saturday that he plans to issue an executive order requiring voter identification to cast ballots in federal elections.
“Voter I.D. Must Be Part of Every Single Vote. No exceptions!” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “I Will Be Doing An Executive Order To That End!!!”
The president did not provide a timeline for the order. The midterm elections are scheduled for Nov. 3, 2026.
States vs. Federal Authority
Under current law, states control the administration of their own elections, provided they comply with federal protections. Trump’s executive order would attempt to impose a uniform voter ID requirement at the federal level, a move certain to face legal challenges.
The president also reiterated his opposition to widespread mail-in ballots and the use of electronic voting machines, though he did not say those would be covered under the new order.
“Also, No Mail-In Voting, Except For Those That Are Very Ill, And The Far Away Military. Use paper ballots only!!!” Trump wrote.
Previous Election Orders
This announcement follows Trump’s March executive order, which sought to require documentary proof of U.S. citizenship to register for federal elections. That order also addressed mail-in voting deadlines, machine security, and foreign interference.
Legal groups challenged the move, and a federal judge blocked much of it, ruling it exceeded presidential authority. The court, however, allowed Trump’s directive tightening mail-in ballot deadlines to remain in effect.
In July, after the Supreme Court limited judges’ ability to issue nationwide injunctions, the ruling was narrowed to apply only to the 19 Democratic-led states that filed the lawsuit. The Trump administration has appealed, arguing the order is consistent with existing federal law.
Push for Legislative Backing
Trump has also urged Congress to pass the SAVE Act, a Republican-backed overhaul of federal election law. The House passed the bill, but it stalled in the Senate, where Democratic support is required for passage.
At the state level, Republicans in Texas recently redrew their congressional map at Trump’s urging, securing five more GOP-leaning districts. Democrats in California responded with a push to strengthen their hold on the state’s U.S. House delegation.
What’s Next
If Trump issues the executive order, it is expected to trigger immediate court challenges from states and civil rights groups.
His administration argues the president has authority to interpret election laws for the executive branch and ensure their enforcement.
