SouthernWorldwide.com – President Trump announced on Friday his intention to mandate voter identification for the November midterm elections, aiming to bypass Congress if necessary.
In a post on Truth Social, Mr. Trump stated, “There will be Voter I.D. for the Midterm Elections, whether approved by Congress or not!” He further elaborated that proof of citizenship and a ban on mail-in ballots, with certain exceptions, should also be implemented.
Mr. Trump has repeatedly, though without providing evidence, alleged that widespread voter fraud has influenced election outcomes in favor of Democrats. It is important to note that instances of noncitizens voting are extremely rare and are already against the law.
In a subsequent Truth Social post, the president indicated his plan to issue an executive order to address this matter. He emphasized the urgency of the issue, stating, “This is an issue that must be fought, and must be fought, NOW!”
He added, “If we can’t get it through Congress, there are Legal reasons why this SCAM is not permitted. I will be presenting them shortly, in the form of an Executive Order.”
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However, election experts have indicated that the president does not possess the legal authority to unilaterally alter election rules without congressional approval. This assertion is supported by a previous instance where a federal judge rejected Mr. Trump’s attempt to mandate proof of citizenship for voter registration in federal elections via executive order.
The judge’s ruling stated, “Our Constitution entrusts Congress and the states — not the president — with the authority to regulate federal elections.” The ruling further noted that Congress was actively debating legislation that would enact many of the changes the president sought, and that no statutory delegation of authority permitted the executive branch to circumvent this process.
Earlier in the week, the House of Representatives passed a stringent voter identification bill known as the SAVE America Act. Democrats have expressed concerns that this legislation could disenfranchise millions of eligible voters.
The proposed bill would require voters to present in-person proof of U.S. citizenship, such as a passport or birth certificate, to register for federal elections. Additionally, it mandates that voters show a photo ID when casting their ballot, and this photo ID must also include proof of citizenship.
The legislation is unlikely to garner the 60 votes required for passage in the Senate, making its path to becoming law uncertain.
