ExecutiveOrders on Election Integrity
Since returning to office, President Trump has used executive authority to reshape federal election standards. On January 20, 2025, he signed Executive Order 14148, which revoked President Biden’s EO14019 on “Promoting Access to Voting” and replaced it with a directive focused on national eligibility rules, ballot deadlines, and federal oversight of state election equipment. The order also reinforced that states must maintain accurate voter rolls and adhere to uniform federal standards for ballot counting and tabulation.
This move signaled Trump’s determination to centralize federal authority over election administration, framing the states as “agents” of the federal government when conducting federal elections—a theme he echoed strongly in his latest Truth Social post.
The SAVE Act and Congressional Action
In parallel with the executive order, Congress passed the SAVE Act (Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act), requiring states to verify citizenship before adding an individual to the voter rolls. This legislation represents a significant policy win for Trump and congressional Republicans, who argued that closing gaps in registration procedures is essential for ensuring election integrity.
The SAVE Act which is currently stalled in the Senate was hailed by Trump as a first step, but his latest statements suggest that he sees it as part of a broader restructuring of how Americans vote.
Trump’s Latest Announcement: Ending Mail-In Ballots and Voting Machines
In his Truth Social post, Trump pledged to lead a “movement toget rid of mail-in ballots” and to phase out electronic voting machines, calling them “Highly Inaccurate, Very Expensive, and Seriously Controversial.” He endorsed watermarked paper ballots, arguing they are faster, more reliable, and leave no doubt about election outcomes.
Trump promised to back these changes with a new executive order aimed at shaping the 2026 midterm elections, underscoring that, in his view, states must comply with federal directives for the sake of national election integrity.
State Push back and Legal Battles Ahead
Trump’s assertion—that states are federal “agents” in elections—has already sparked pushback from left leaning governors, secretaries of state, and state legislatures. Election officials in states such as California, New York, and Colorado argue that the Constitution gives states primary authority over election administration, except where explicitly preempted by federal law.
Several blue states are preparing legal challenges, claiming Trump’s planned federal mandates infringe on state sovereignty. Expect lawsuits to move quickly through federal courts, with potential showdowns at the Supreme Court over the scope of presidential authority in election regulation.
Meanwhile, Republican-led states have signaled they are more likely to comply—or even move proactively toward the paper-ballot model Trump endorses. This divergence points to a patchwork of compliance and resistance, which could create uncertainty heading into the 2026 elections.
What Comes Next
Looking forward, Trump and his allies are expected to push for:
- Federal standards requiring paper ballots with security features
- Severe restrictions—or outright bans—on mail-in voting
- National uniformity in ballot counting deadlines
- Enhanced federal monitoring of voter roll maintenance
Democrats and voting rights groups are preparing countermeasures, including state legislation, lawsuits, and public campaigns warning of voter suppression.
The stage is set for a historic confrontation between federal authority and state control of elections. With the SAVE Act already passed by the House and pending in the Senate, Trump’s next executive orders could fundamentally reshape the landscape of American voting before the 2026 midterms.
