Former President Donald Trump recently signed a comprehensive executive order aimed at overhauling the U.S. election system. The order includes measures such as requiring documentary proof of citizenship to register to vote in federal elections and mandating that all ballots be received by Election Day.

The executive action asserts that the U.S. has failed to implement essential election protections and calls on states to collaborate with federal agencies to share voter lists and prosecute election-related crimes. It also threatens to withhold federal funding from states where election officials do not comply with these requirements. One of the key goals of the order is to ensure that votes are “cast and received” by Election Day, with the condition that state compliance is tied to federal funding.

Trump’s executive order is likely to face legal challenges, as the U.S. Constitution grants states authority over their own elections.

Additionally, the order directs the Election Assistance Commission to update its guidelines for voting systems to “protect election integrity” and prohibits foreign nationals from contributing or donating to U.S. elections. The order highlights concerns over foreign interference, stating that foreign nationals and non-governmental organizations have exploited legal loopholes to spend millions through conduit contributions and ballot-related initiatives. This type of interference, Trump’s order argues, undermines the democratic process and the rights of U.S. citizens to govern their country.

Trump also referenced other countries in his speech, noting that India and Brazil tie voter identification to a biometric database, while the U.S. relies on self-attestation for citizenship. He also pointed out that Germany and Canada use paper ballots for vote tabulation, contrasting this with the U.S.’s varied methods that often lack fundamental chain-of-custody safeguards.