Trump proposes executive order requiring voter identification at polling stations

US President Donald Trump has announced plans to issue an executive order requiring voter identification before distributing ballots, as part of a broader effort to increase federal control over the election process.

In a social media post on Friday, Trump stated that he would soon take action, citing “Legal reasons” why voter ID laws are necessary. The move comes two days after the US House of Representatives passed a bill requiring documents that prove citizenship before voter registration.

The bill is unlikely to pass in the Senate, but Trump’s announcement has raised concerns about the potential impact on election integrity and voting rights. In the US, it is illegal for non-citizens to participate in elections, and voter fraud is rare.

Trump has repeatedly claimed that election rigging is widespread, despite bipartisan pushback from election officials. He has also falsely claimed that he won the 2020 presidential election. With the upcoming midterm elections, Trump has expressed fears that Democrats could claim the majority in the Republican-held House of Representatives, potentially leading to a third impeachment.

A study by the Pew Research Center found that US citizens from both parties support requiring photo identification before registering to vote, with 95% of Republicans and 71% of Democrats in favor. However, voting rights advocates and Democratic leadership have opposed such measures, citing concerns about disenfranchising low-income and marginalized communities.

Currently, 36 states have voter ID laws on the books, although they vary in strictness. The US Constitution requires that states administer elections, but Trump has threatened to take away this power and instead push for federal control over the election process.

Source: Al Jazeera