Washington: US President Donald Trump announced plans Saturday for an executive order requiring voter identification for all elections, with no exceptions. "Voter I.D. Must Be Part of Every Single Vote. NO EXCEPTIONS!" Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social. "I Will Be Doing An Executive Order To That End!!!" He also stated, "No Mail-In Voting, Except For Those That Are Very Ill, And The Far Away Military," and emphasized, "USE PAPER BALLOTS ONLY!!!"
According to Anadolu Agency, voter identification requirements currently vary significantly across states, with no uniform federal mandate. Currently, 36 states require voters to present identification at polls, including 25 states requiring photo ID with certain exceptions. In contrast, 11 states do not explicitly require photographs. Meanwhile, the remaining 14 states do not require identification for in-person voting as of August 2025.
Trump has previously criticized mail-in voting and electronic voting machines, and his announcement comes as redistricting plans are underway in several US states ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. This executive order aims to standardize voting procedures across the country by enforcing stricter identification measures.