Former President Donald Trump announced that he will sign an executive order requiring Americans to present identification at polling stations. He also reiterated his opposition to widespread mail-in voting, with exceptions only for the seriously ill and military personnel overseas.
On his platform, Truth Social, Trump wrote: “Voter ID must be part of every single ballot. No exceptions! I will issue an executive order to make this happen. Also, no mail-in voting except for the very sick and our soldiers abroad. Paper ballots only!!!”
Trump Pushes Voter ID and Paper Ballots Amid Ongoing Election Doubts
The debate over voter identification laws is not new. Currently, 36 U.S. states already require or request some form of ID at the polls, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Trump and his allies, however, continue to argue that stricter nationwide rules are needed to ensure election integrity.
Trump has long cast doubt on the U.S. electoral system, falsely claiming that his 2020 defeat to Joe Biden was due to widespread fraud. He and other Republicans have also made repeated unsubstantiated allegations that non-citizens vote illegally—a practice that is both rare and against the law.
Trump Renews Push for Paper Ballots Ahead of 2026 Midterms
Trump has for years pushed to eliminate the use of electronic voting machines, calling instead for paper ballots and manual counting. Election officials, however, stress that hand counts are slower, more expensive, and less reliable than automated tabulation.
Earlier this month, Trump vowed to issue an executive order ending the use of mail-in ballots and voting machines before the 2026 midterm elections. But because elections are managed at the state level, it remains unclear whether the president has the constitutional authority to enforce such measures.
The November 3, 2026, midterms will be the first nationwide vote since Trump returned to office in January. Democrats see the elections as a chance to weaken Republican control of Congress and challenge Trump’s domestic agenda.