Under the authority granted to me as President by the Constitution and U.S. laws, including the Help America Vote Act of 2002 and the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, and the Federal Government’s duty to ensure a republican form of government to all States, it is ordered:
Section 1. Purpose and Policy. The Constitution and Federal law restrict the right to vote in Federal elections to U.S. citizens. Federal laws strictly prohibit non-citizens from voting or registering to vote in Federal elections, with criminal penalties for violations. The Social Security Administration (SSA), along with the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program, maintains records that assist in verifying voter eligibility and identity for Federal elections.
The Federal Government has an obligation under Article II of the Constitution to enforce Federal law, which includes preventing violations of criminal law and ensuring public trust in election outcomes. To reinforce election integrity through the mail, additional steps are necessary. Secure ballot envelope identifiers offer a reliable way to enforce Federal law without impinging on eligible voters’ rights. Unique identifiers, like bar codes, help ensure that only citizens receive and cast ballots, thereby reducing fraud and safeguarding the integrity of Federal elections.
Sec. 2. Establishment and Transmission of State Citizenship Lists and Prioritization of Investigations and Prosecutions Related to Election Fraud. (a) To the extent feasible and in line with applicable laws, including the Privacy Act of 1974, the Secretary of Homeland Security, through the Director of United States Citizenship and Immigration Services and in collaboration with the Commissioner of SSA, shall compile and send to each State’s chief election official a list of individuals confirmed as U.S. citizens, who will be over 18 at the time of an upcoming Federal election, and reside in that State (State Citizenship List). This list will be drawn from Federal citizenship and naturalization records, SSA records, SAVE data, and other Federal databases. It must be updated and sent to State election officials at least 60 days before each regular Federal election, or promptly upon a State’s request for a special Federal election. Procedures will be established by the Secretary of Homeland Security for individuals to access and update their records, and for States to suggest modifications to the State Citizenship List. Being on this list does not mean an individual is registered to vote; State and Federal laws and procedures must still be followed. State laws not reflected in the list may prevent voter registration, or individuals may choose not to register.
(b) An individual is considered “eligible to vote in a Federal election” if they are a U.S. citizen, 18 or older by the election date, and otherwise qualified under State laws. The Attorney General is tasked with prioritizing investigations and prosecutions of State and local officials or others who issue Federal ballots to ineligible individuals, as well as those involved in printing, producing, shipping, or distributing ballots to ineligible voters.
Sec. 3. United States Postal Service Rulemaking on Mail-In and Absentee Ballots. (a) The misuse of mail for elections is prohibited by various Federal laws.
(b) To ensure compliance with Federal law and protect the mail’s role in transmitting election ballots, the Postmaster General is directed to initiate rulemaking within 60 days. This will include:
(i) Provisions that all outbound ballot mail must be in an envelope marked as Official Election Mail and meet USPS standards, including a unique Intelligent Mail barcode for tracking.
(ii) Provisions allowing States to notify USPS at least 90 days before a Federal election if they will use mail-in or absentee ballots, and submit a list of eligible voters at least 60 days before the election.
(iii) Provisions ensuring USPS does not transmit ballots from any individual not on a State-specific list.
(iv) Provisions for USPS to provide each State with a list of individuals enrolled for mail-in or absentee ballots, along with unique envelope identifiers, while complying with the Privacy Act.
(v) Procedures for States to update their Mail-In and Absentee Participation Lists before elections, in line with State laws.
(c) The USPS will coordinate with the USPS Office of Inspector General and the Department of Justice to investigate suspected unlawful mail use involving election materials.
(d) A final rule must be issued within 120 days of this order.
Sec. 4. Implementation. (a) The Secretary of Homeland Security, Commissioner of SSA, and Postmaster General will work with the Secretary of Commerce to implement this order.
(b) The Attorney General will enforce Federal statutes and guide election officials, contractors, and entities involved in ballot processes.
(c) Within 90 days, the Secretary of Homeland Security will establish infrastructure for the State Citizenship List and designate a contact within DHS to handle requests related to it. The Commissioner of SSA will provide necessary data to support this requirement.
Sec. 5. Enforcement. The Attorney General and executive departments will take steps to prevent noncompliance with Federal law, including withholding Federal funds from noncompliant States and localities where permitted by law. Evidence of violations by election officials or entities involved in the ballot process may be referred to the Department of Justice for investigation or charges. States and localities should preserve records and materials, excluding cast ballots, evidencing voter participation in Federal elections for five years.
Sec. 6. Severability. If any part of this order is found invalid, the rest of the order remains unaffected.
Sec. 7. General Provisions. (a) This order does not alter the authority given by law to any executive department or agency.
(b) Implementation is subject to applicable law and available funding.
(c) This order does not create any enforceable rights or benefits against the U.S. government or its entities.
DONALD J. TRUMP
THE WHITE HOUSE,
March 31, 2026.
