U.S. President Donald Trump announced on August 30, 2025, that he plans to issue an executive order requiring voter identification for every ballot cast in federal elections. Speaking on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump emphasized that the new rule would allow “NO EXCEPTIONS.”
The proposal also includes restrictions on mail-in voting, limiting it to individuals who are seriously ill or members of the military stationed overseas. Trump has repeatedly questioned the integrity of the U.S. electoral system and continues to claim—without evidence—that his 2020 election defeat was due to widespread voter fraud.
Trump and other Republican leaders have also made unsubstantiated claims regarding voting by non-citizens, which is illegal and rare. For years, the former president has advocated for replacing electronic voting machines with paper ballots and hand counts, a system election officials warn could be slower, more expensive, and less reliable than current methods.
While Trump has announced his intentions, federal elections in the United States are primarily managed by state governments. Legal experts note it remains uncertain whether the president has the authority to enforce a nationwide voter ID requirement through an executive order.
The announcement comes as the 2026 midterm elections approach, with Democrats aiming to retain control of Congress and protect access to voting amid growing debates over election integrity.
