1. United States
2. Mich.
3. Letter

Trump's executive order on elections represents a dangerous overreach of federal power that undermines the constitutional authority of states and Congress to administer elections. The proposed measures, such as requiring strict proof of citizenship for voter registration and banning the counting of legally cast mail ballots that arrive after Election Day, would disenfranchise millions of eligible voters across the country. These policies are solutions in search of problems, as there is no evidence of widespread voter fraud that would justify such draconian restrictions. Rather than upholding election integrity, this order seeks to federalize elections in an unprecedented way that violates principles of federalism and states' rights. The creation of new bureaucratic hurdles and unfunded mandates for states would create chaos and suppress legal votes. Unilaterally changing voting machine standards could force rapid replacement of equipment that strains state budgets. Allowing Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency to scrutinize voter rolls raises serious privacy concerns. This partisan power grab must be vigorously opposed to protect the freedom to vote and prevent the disenfranchisement of eligible citizens, including military personnel serving overseas. Congress and the courts should swiftly reject any attempt to usurp their constitutional role in regulating federal elections. Voting is a fundamental right in our democracy, not a privilege to be constrained by the president's whims. Urgent action is needed to defend this pillar of self-governance.