News Brief
Trump Praises India’s Biometric Voter ID System, Orders Election Overhaul To Mandate Stricter Proof Of Citizenship For US Voters
US President Donald Trump (DON EMMERT/AFP/Getty Images)
US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order aimed at fixing up the country’s election system, citing concerns over lax enforcement of voting protections, reported The Times of India.
The move, announced on Tuesday (25 March), mandates stricter voter identification measures and calls for states to prosecute election crimes or risk losing federal funding.
In a surprising international reference, the order specifically points to India and Brazil as models for voter identification, noting their use of biometric-linked voter databases.
"Despite pioneering self-government, the United States now fails to enforce basic and necessary election protections employed by modern, developed nations, as well as those still developing. India and Brazil, for example, are tying voter identification to a biometric database, while the United States largely relies on self-attestation for citizenship," the order states.
The executive order comes as the Republican National Committee (RNC) launches a nationwide investigation into voter roll maintenance.
Public records requests have been sent to 48 states and Washington, DC, seeking information on how election officials remove ineligible voters, including non-citizens and deceased individuals.
Trump has also vowed to take “more election actions” in the coming weeks, signaling a broader effort to reshape voting laws ahead of the 2026 midterms.
Election Crime Crackdown: States must prosecute cases of election fraud or risk losing federal funding.
Federal Oversight of Voter Rolls: States must share voter registration lists with federal agencies to ensure eligibility compliance.
Restrictions on QR Code Ballots: The Election Assistance Commission is directed to amend voting system guidelines, banning the use of QR codes or barcodes in the vote-counting process.
The executive order is expected to face legal challenges, as the US Constitution grants states primary authority over election administration.
Though Congress has the power to regulate voting, the Constitution explicitly states that states control the “times, places, and manner” of elections.
Critics argue that Trump’s directive could overstep federal authority, setting up a legal battle that may ultimately be decided by the Supreme Court.
