Trump Signs Executive Order Targeting Federal Election Eligibility and Mail-In Ballot Security
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President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing federal agencies to strengthen verification of voter eligibility for federal elections and update procedures for mail-in and absentee ballots through the U.S. Postal Service.
The order instructs the Department of Homeland Security, in coordination with the Social Security Administration, to compile and transmit to each state a list of confirmed U.S. citizens who will be 18 or older at the time of the next federal election and reside in that state. The lists, referred to as “State Citizenship Lists,” are to be updated and transmitted no fewer than 60 days before scheduled federal elections. Individuals and states will have the ability to access, update, or correct records. Officials noted that inclusion on the list does not automatically register an individual to vote, and state procedures and laws regarding voter registration must still be followed.
The executive order also directs the U.S. Postal Service to implement rulemaking requiring all mail-in and absentee ballots to be transmitted in secure envelopes marked as Official Election Mail with unique barcodes for tracking. Ballots would be sent only to individuals enrolled on state-specific Mail-In and Absentee Participation Lists, ensuring that only eligible voters receive ballots. The USPS is tasked with coordinating with the Postal Service Office of Inspector General and the Justice Department to investigate suspected unlawful use of the mail in federal elections.
The Justice Department is instructed to prioritize investigations and prosecutions of officials or other parties who issue federal ballots to ineligible voters. The order also allows the attorney general to withhold federal funds from states or localities that fail to comply with applicable laws, including those involving voter eligibility and the transmission of ballots.
The administration said the measures rely on existing federal tools, including the Social Security Administration’s records and the Department of Homeland Security’s Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements program, to verify voter eligibility. Officials described the executive order as part of ongoing efforts to maintain public confidence in election outcomes and prevent violations of federal criminal law in federal elections.
The White House noted that the order follows prior measures signed by Trump in March 2025 that strengthened election integrity through verification of voter registration lists, enforcement of ballot receipt deadlines, and restrictions on foreign interference in U.S. elections. The order directs federal agencies to implement all provisions consistent with applicable law and appropriations.
The executive order takes effect immediately and assigns responsibilities across DHS, the SSA, the Postal Service, and the Justice Department to ensure compliance.
