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BumRushDaShow

(169,712 posts)
Tue Mar 31, 2026, 05:58 PM 10 hrs ago

Trump signs a new executive order on voting. Experts say he lacks the authority

Source: NPR

March 31, 2026 7:43 PM ET


President Trump has escalated his efforts to reshape American elections, signing an executive order that seeks to create lists of U.S. citizens who are eligible to vote in each state, and instructs the U.S. Postal Service to play a larger role in states' mail voting programs.

Trump said in the Oval Office Tuesday that he believes the order is "foolproof" and may or may not be tested in court. But election experts said the order was unconstitutional and prominent voting rights attorneys quickly threatened to sue to block the order from going into effect.

A previous executive order on elections, signed about a year ago, has been blocked by federal judges who said the president lacked the constitutional authority to set voting policy. The Constitution says the "Times, Places and Manner" of federal elections are determined by individual states, with Congress able to enact changes. Trump has long railed — baselessly — about widespread illegal voting by noncitizens and fraud with mail ballots. The new executive order — which was first reported by The Daily Caller — takes aim at both.

The order instructs the Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration to "compile and transmit to the chief election official of each State a list of individuals confirmed to be United States citizens who will be above the age of 18 at the time of an upcoming Federal election and who maintain a residence in the subject State."

Read more: https://www.npr.org/2026/03/31/nx-s1-5508948/trump-voter-list-mail-ballots-executive-order



He's apparently panicking.

Article updated.

Original article -

March 31, 2026 5:54 PM ET


President Trump has escalated his efforts to influence American elections, signing an executive order that the White House says seeks to create a list of confirmed U.S. citizens who are eligible to vote in each state and use the U.S. Postal Service to "verify" mail ballots are for voters.

Speaking just now, Trump said he believes the order is "foolproof." But election experts have already said the order -- which was first reported by The Daily Caller -- would face immediate legal challenges.

A previous executive order on elections, signed about a year ago, has been blocked by federal judges who said the president lacked the constitutional authority to set voting policy. The Constitution is clear that states run their own elections, with Congress able to set policy. Trump has long railed -- baselessly -- about widespread illegal voting by noncitizens and mail voting fraud.

The executive order comes as Trump's Justice Department is seeking sensitive voter data from states, and is engaged in more than two dozen lawsuits for that data. The administration claims it needs the data to enforce states' voter list maintenance.
34 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Trump signs a new executive order on voting. Experts say he lacks the authority (Original Post) BumRushDaShow 10 hrs ago OP
This order is a joke and will be struck down LetMyPeopleVote 10 hrs ago #1
It is time to. #LockUpTrump Trueblue1968 9 hrs ago #8
So what? Trump doesn't care. Irish_Dem 8 hrs ago #27
We need to make it so future admins can't allow shady think tanks like the Heritage Foundation to abuse EO privileges. Initech 10 hrs ago #2
fool proof ? dweller 10 hrs ago #3
If done, the minute there is the slightest discrepancy Captain Zero 10 hrs ago #5
Maybe it is a setup,ike his multiple challenge cases in 2020 wnylib 8 hrs ago #23
Corollary to Murphy's Law. TomSlick 9 hrs ago #11
Elections are run by the states. MLWR 10 hrs ago #4
Democracy Docket-Trump signs sweeping order attacking mail-in voting LetMyPeopleVote 10 hrs ago #6
"Becker said he expects courts to move quickly to block the order" BumRushDaShow 9 hrs ago #9
Im pretty sure thats where it will get filed...have a hard time Volaris 8 hrs ago #17
The courts have a choice orangecrush 7 hrs ago #29
Hey Trump, I gotcha executive order right here oasis 9 hrs ago #7
Putin & Orban? popsdenver 9 hrs ago #10
There's a wee bit o' difference in how elections are run and votes counted in Russia and Hungary compared to the US Fiendish Thingy 8 hrs ago #13
Trump knows the SAVE act will never pass Fiendish Thingy 9 hrs ago #12
Without a doubt. Just a reminder, Bluetus 8 hrs ago #21
He thinks he can rule by decree. DavidDvorkin 8 hrs ago #14
Our wonderful Oregon AG Dan Rayfield has already filed a lawsuit. And our SOS is working on one. Amaryllis 8 hrs ago #15
"compile and transmit to the chief election official of each State a list . . . ' AverageOldGuy 8 hrs ago #16
Exactly! reACTIONary 6 hrs ago #31
Next up: voter registration data breach, BadgerKid 8 hrs ago #18
Laying more groundwork to tie up courts, cause confusion, and perhaps most importanlty Bristlecone 8 hrs ago #19
Very worrying. 🤬 ffr 8 hrs ago #20
"efforts to reshape American elections" hibbing 8 hrs ago #22
This is where the cultists get confused Dyedinthewoolliberal 8 hrs ago #24
It will be blocked within days pfitz59 8 hrs ago #25
That's why he's suing states for their voter rolls.I expect multiple lawsuits. FloridaBlues 8 hrs ago #26
Here we go. orangecrush 7 hrs ago #28
Kings don't need voter rolls, nor do they waste time on elections FakeNoose 7 hrs ago #30
Can't help wondering I'd be on the approved list. Bobstandard 6 hrs ago #32
He's shitting himself something fierce Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin 6 hrs ago #33
So people never move or change names? mackdaddy 6 hrs ago #34

Initech

(108,772 posts)
2. We need to make it so future admins can't allow shady think tanks like the Heritage Foundation to abuse EO privileges.
Tue Mar 31, 2026, 06:02 PM
10 hrs ago

Captain Zero

(8,905 posts)
5. If done, the minute there is the slightest discrepancy
Tue Mar 31, 2026, 06:13 PM
10 hrs ago

He will declare all elections null and void.
If he needs a list have his party get it in each individual state.

This is bullshit to be involving the post office in it.

wnylib

(26,008 posts)
23. Maybe it is a setup,ike his multiple challenge cases in 2020
Tue Mar 31, 2026, 08:22 PM
8 hrs ago

as a means of casting doubt on election results.

If Dems win the House (and the Senate?), he will claim voter fraud and expect people to believe him because he'll have the idea planned already with this executive order, even if it loses in court.

TomSlick

(13,013 posts)
11. Corollary to Murphy's Law.
Tue Mar 31, 2026, 07:32 PM
9 hrs ago

It is impossible to make anything foolproof because fools are so ingenious.

LetMyPeopleVote

(179,822 posts)
6. Democracy Docket-Trump signs sweeping order attacking mail-in voting
Tue Mar 31, 2026, 06:31 PM
10 hrs ago

This executive order will be struck down



https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/trump-signs-sweeping-order-attacking-mail-in-voting/

Under the Constitution, states run elections and only Congress can set national standards.

This is a massive and unconstitutional voter suppression effort aimed at giving Trump the power to create a list of who is allowed to vote by mail,” Marc Elias, founder of Democracy Docket, said Tuesday. “We know where this will go — the targeting of Democrats for mass disenfranchisement. We will sue and we will win.”

Legal challenges to the new order are expected swiftly.

“It’s obvious the president didn’t learn anything from his first failed executive order,” David Becker, a leading election law expert, told Democracy Docket. “This is unconstitutional on its face. The Constitution clearly gives the president no power over elections.”

Becker said he expects courts to move quickly to block the order, as they did with earlier attempts.

“I expect that this will be blocked by multiple federal courts in a very short period of time and have no legal effect whatsoever,” he said.

He also pointed to contradictions between the administration’s recent legal arguments and the apparent scope of the new order, particularly around the creation of a national voter list.

“After the Department of Justice has been telling courts they’re not creating a national voter list, this appears to confirm exactly what courts were concerned about,” Becker said.

BumRushDaShow

(169,712 posts)
9. "Becker said he expects courts to move quickly to block the order"
Tue Mar 31, 2026, 06:43 PM
9 hrs ago

And make sure one gets filed in the D.C. district with the hope that Boasberg gets it because he's already royally pissed with this administration!

Volaris

(11,697 posts)
17. Im pretty sure thats where it will get filed...have a hard time
Tue Mar 31, 2026, 08:02 PM
8 hrs ago

trying to convince even Cannon that her court in Florida has jurisdiction over an executive order signed in DC lol

As an aside, that dude should be pretty high on anyone's list for promotion when this is over...he's been a rock star.

popsdenver

(2,301 posts)
10. Putin & Orban?
Tue Mar 31, 2026, 06:54 PM
9 hrs ago

win their elections in a landslide with 85+% of the votes in their countries.

You can bet your sweet asses that Putin has been advising the Republicans/Trump how it is done, starting in 2015......

Fiendish Thingy

(23,219 posts)
13. There's a wee bit o' difference in how elections are run and votes counted in Russia and Hungary compared to the US
Tue Mar 31, 2026, 07:35 PM
8 hrs ago

So I’m not sure any advice from Putin would be applicable, unless Trump start throwing opponents out of 10th story windows…

Fiendish Thingy

(23,219 posts)
12. Trump knows the SAVE act will never pass
Tue Mar 31, 2026, 07:33 PM
9 hrs ago

Marc Elias from Democracy Docket says this EO is unconstitutional and unenforceable, and he expects it to be blocked by multiple courts in the next few days.

Bluetus

(2,793 posts)
21. Without a doubt. Just a reminder,
Tue Mar 31, 2026, 08:18 PM
8 hrs ago

EO's only have effect as instructions to executive branch employees. EOs cannot direct states, Congress, the courts, corporations, or individuals to do anything.

This one is written in the form of a directive to executive branch employees. But it is a direction for them to perform an illegal act. And even if it is not struck down, it must be ignored by states because it has no legally binding authority on them and undoubtedly would violate many state election laws.

Amaryllis

(11,285 posts)
15. Our wonderful Oregon AG Dan Rayfield has already filed a lawsuit. And our SOS is working on one.
Tue Mar 31, 2026, 07:41 PM
8 hrs ago

AverageOldGuy

(3,828 posts)
16. "compile and transmit to the chief election official of each State a list . . . '
Tue Mar 31, 2026, 07:57 PM
8 hrs ago

A list that each state chief election official will toss in the shitcan.

BadgerKid

(5,003 posts)
18. Next up: voter registration data breach,
Tue Mar 31, 2026, 08:03 PM
8 hrs ago

Followed by feeding the data into AI tools for orchestration of whatever outcome is needed.

Bristlecone

(11,111 posts)
19. Laying more groundwork to tie up courts, cause confusion, and perhaps most importanlty
Tue Mar 31, 2026, 08:14 PM
8 hrs ago

Get our shitty media to talk about it nonstop, and not only act as if it is up for discussion, but suggest it is open for valid debate.

And The Ministry of Truth(Fox, OAN, etc tc) will spread the validity opinion until the cows come home.

hibbing

(10,597 posts)
22. "efforts to reshape American elections"
Tue Mar 31, 2026, 08:21 PM
8 hrs ago

Efforts to prevent people from voting, there, I fixed it.

Dyedinthewoolliberal

(16,210 posts)
24. This is where the cultists get confused
Tue Mar 31, 2026, 08:29 PM
8 hrs ago

when we say, 'he thinks he's a king, doing stuff like that. The Constitution says elections belong to the states, precisely for this reason." and they say 'Huh?'

FloridaBlues

(4,668 posts)
26. That's why he's suing states for their voter rolls.I expect multiple lawsuits.
Tue Mar 31, 2026, 08:32 PM
8 hrs ago

Things going bad for him so he creates a new problem daily.

FakeNoose

(41,622 posts)
30. Kings don't need voter rolls, nor do they waste time on elections
Tue Mar 31, 2026, 09:02 PM
7 hrs ago

Why is Chump doing this?

Because HE KNOWS HE'S NOT A KING! He knows the voters don't want him and won't listen to him. He just gave away the whole game when he signed this law. It's going to be shot down in court, and then he has NOTHING!

Bobstandard

(2,297 posts)
32. Can't help wondering I'd be on the approved list.
Tue Mar 31, 2026, 10:04 PM
6 hrs ago

Just because I’ve voted legally for 7 decades, have a passport, was born in a stateside US military hospital, and now look a lot like Benjamin Franklin, doesn’t mean I’d be eligible to vote this time.

mackdaddy

(1,976 posts)
34. So people never move or change names?
Tue Mar 31, 2026, 10:17 PM
6 hrs ago

So who keeps up these records for updates, changes or corrections?

What happens if there are errors?

Basically this all just duplicates the current voter registration system already in place.

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