Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Ensures Citizenship Verification and Voter Eligibility in Federal Elections

3/31/2026

Fact Sheets

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Action Summary

Purpose: Enhance election integrity by verifying citizenship and voter eligibility in Federal elections.
Citizenship Verification: Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security, in coordination with the Social Security Administration, to compile and update a State Citizenship List of confirmed U.S. citizens, available 60 days before each Federal election.
Mail-in Ballot Security: Instructs the Postmaster General to begin rulemaking for secure ballot envelopes marked as Official Election Mail with unique Intelligent Mail barcodes, ensuring tracking and eligibility verification.
Ballot Distribution Controls: Ensures that only individuals on a State-specific Mail-in and Absentee Participation List receive ballots, limiting access to eligible voters.
Enforcement Actions: Directs the Attorney General to prioritize the investigation and prosecution of violations, including potential withholding of Federal funds from noncompliant States and localities.
Election Integrity Emphasis: Aims to prevent non-citizen voting and restore public confidence by using existing tools like SSA records and the SAVE program, while contrasting the approach with previous administrations.
Political Commitment: Reinforces President Trump’s campaign promises to secure elections and underscores ongoing efforts to implement measures from prior Executive Orders.

Risks & Considerations

The Executive Order mandating citizenship verification for federal elections introduces a risk of increased administrative burden on state election offices. This could lead to delays in election processes and potential confusion among voters regarding eligibility.
There is a significant risk that this policy may disproportionately affect marginalized communities, where barriers to citizenship verification could lead to disenfranchisement. Such disparities could result in lower voter turnout among affected groups, impacting the integrity and representativeness of elections.
The requirement for mail-in and absentee ballots to be sent only to individuals on a State-specific Mail-in and Absentee Participation List may limit access to voting for eligible citizens, particularly those who move frequently or are unaware of the changes in registration requirements.
Vanderbilt University may need to consider the implications of this order on its student body, especially regarding voter registration outreach and education efforts aimed at ensuring that students are aware of their voting rights and responsibilities.

Impacted Programs

Vanderbilt’s Office of Government and Community Relations may need to enhance its advocacy efforts to address potential inequities arising from this Executive Order and align its initiatives to support fair access to voting.
Peabody College of Education and Human Development could see increased demand for research on civic engagement and voter education programs, focusing on marginalized communities that may be disproportionately impacted.
The Office of Student Affairs might need to implement programs to educate students on voter registration and participation, ensuring that they understand the new verification requirements and their rights as voters.
Vanderbilt Law School could become involved in legal challenges or advocacy regarding the implications of the Executive Order, focusing on the protection of voting rights and access to the electoral process.

Financial Impact

The potential for reduced voter turnout due to stricter verification processes may lead to decreased federal funding for initiatives that rely on civic engagement and participation metrics, impacting various university programs.
Vanderbilt University may experience shifts in the student demographic applying for federal financial aid as potential students may be discouraged from enrolling due to concerns about voting access and civic engagement.
Increased scrutiny of election processes may lead to additional operational costs for the university as it seeks to ensure compliance with new regulations and supports student participation in elections.
Overall, the financial implications of navigating a more complex election landscape may require reallocating resources towards outreach and advocacy efforts to protect the university’s interests and those of its constituents.

Relevance Score: 4 (The order presents a need for potential major changes or transformations of programs.)

Key Actions

The Office of Federal Relations should monitor the implications of the Executive Order on citizenship verification and voter eligibility, as it may affect the university’s engagement with the electoral process and potential student demographics. Understanding these changes will be essential for adapting outreach strategies.
Vanderbilt’s Legal Department needs to assess the legal ramifications of the Executive Order, particularly regarding how it may influence federal funding and compliance for programs involving non-citizens. This assessment is crucial to ensure that Vanderbilt remains compliant with federal regulations while advocating for its diverse community.
The Department of Public Policy should conduct research on the potential impacts of this order on voter participation among university students and faculty. This research can inform advocacy efforts and community engagement strategies to ensure that eligible voters are not disenfranchised.
The Office of Institutional Research should evaluate how this Executive Order may affect enrollment and retention rates, especially among international students. Understanding these dynamics will be crucial for adjusting recruitment and support programs.
The Vanderbilt Alumni Association should consider creating initiatives aimed at educating alumni on the implications of this Executive Order and encouraging civic engagement to support voter education and access to the electoral process.

Opportunities

This Executive Order presents an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s Peabody College to engage in research related to civic education and voter engagement, potentially influencing local and national policies.
The focus on election integrity opens avenues for Vanderbilt’s School of Law to develop programs or clinics that address legal issues surrounding voter rights and election law, enhancing the university’s role as a leader in legal education and advocacy.
Vanderbilt can leverage its expertise to provide resources or workshops for students and the local community about the impact of this Executive Order, further promoting civic engagement and education.
The Executive Order might encourage Vanderbilt to strengthen its partnerships with local organizations to promote voter registration and participation, especially among underrepresented groups.
Engaging in dialogues about the implications of this Executive Order can establish Vanderbilt as a thought leader in discussions around election integrity and civic responsibility, enhancing its reputation in public policy.

Relevance Score: 3 (The order necessitates some adjustments to processes related to compliance, outreach, and student engagement.)

Average Relevance Score: 3.4

Timeline for Implementation

State Citizenship List: Transmitted no fewer than 60 days before each regularly scheduled Federal election.

Relevance Score: 3

Impacted Government Organizations

Department of Homeland Security (DHS): The DHS is directed to work with the Social Security Administration to compile and transmit State Citizenship Lists to ensure voter eligibility.
Social Security Administration (SSA): The SSA is tasked with verifying citizenship records and coordinating with DHS in the preparation of updated voter eligibility lists.
United States Postal Service (USPS): The USPS, under the direction of the Postmaster General, is required to initiate rulemaking for secure handling and tracking of mail-in and absentee ballots.
Department of Justice (DOJ) – Attorney General: The Attorney General is mandated to prioritize the investigation and prosecution of election law violations and to coordinate withholding of federal funds from noncompliant states and localities.

Relevance Score: 2 (Between 3 and 5 agencies are impacted by the order.)

Responsible Officials

Secretary of Homeland Security – Directed to coordinate with the Social Security Administration to compile and transmit State Citizenship Lists of confirmed U.S. citizens.
Postmaster General – Tasked with initiating rulemaking to secure mail-in and absentee ballots via unique Intelligent Mail barcodes and secure ballot envelopes.
Attorney General – Responsible for prioritizing the investigation and prosecution of violations concerning ballot issuance and coordinating with relevant agencies to withhold Federal funds from noncompliant States and localities.

Relevance Score: 5 (Directives impact Cabinet-level officials and agency heads with broad executive oversight).