President Donald Trump has signed a sweeping executive order aimed at changing U.S. elections, including requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote in federal elections and mandating that all ballots be received by Election Day.
The document notes that the United States has failed to “ensure basic and necessary election protections” and calls on states to cooperate with federal agencies to share voter lists and prosecute election-related criminal cases.
He threatens to cut off federal funding to states where elected officials fail to follow the rules.
The move is likely to prompt a swift backlash from voting rights groups and is consistent with Mr. Trump's longstanding practice of opposing the election process.
He frequently mentions election fraud, even before the results are in, and has railed against certain voting methods since his 2020 election defeat to Democrat Joe Biden, wrongly blaming widespread fraud.
Mr Trump has focused on mail-in voting, arguing without evidence that it is unsafe and invites fraud, though he has shifted his position on the issue given its popularity among voters, including Republicans.
Although cases of fraud do occur, they are extremely rare, limited in scale, and subject to criminal prosecution.
After signing the document, Mr. Trump said that additional measures regarding the elections would be taken in the coming weeks.
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
