President Donald Trump has advocated for a proof-of-citizenship law, signed an executive order for a national voter ID requirement, and attempted to limit mail voting through changes to the U.S. Postal Service. However, these initiatives did not succeed at the federal level before the midterm elections. In contrast, over three dozen voting laws have been enacted in Republican-controlled states, many incorporating elements of Trump's proposals. These changes include new ID requirements for voter registration and proof of citizenship, which Trump has sought but failed to pass through Congress.
Sophia Lin Lakin, director of the American Civil Liberties Union's Voting Rights Project, stated, "Trump's attacks on our elections are deeply damaging, but they are not happening in isolation. Across the country, states are also advancing restrictions that make it harder for eligible voters to cast a ballot." Supporters of the new voting laws argue that they are common sense measures that enhance trust in the electoral process.
Trump and other Republicans have been advocating for stricter voting regulations since his unsubstantiated claims of widespread fraud in the 2020 election. Despite losing numerous court challenges and having his claims debunked by his own attorney general, many Republican voters continue to believe that Joe Biden's election was illegitimate.
As early voting begins, several new requirements have been introduced. For instance, students in New Hampshire can no longer use student IDs for voting, while Utah voters must provide additional information when returning mail ballots. In Mississippi, some voters may need to present birth certificates or passports to verify their identities.
New Hampshire state Rep. Donald McFarlane, who sponsored the bill to eliminate student IDs, noted that the change applies the same standard to all voters and received bipartisan support. He mentioned that students can obtain state IDs at no cost.
The new laws have faced legal challenges. In South Dakota, the ACLU has filed a lawsuit against a law requiring first-time voters to present specific forms of ID in person. Kathryn Johnson, president of the League of Women Voters of South Dakota, expressed concern about the in-person requirement, citing the state's remote nature and the challenges it poses for voters.
Some Democrats have also shown support for voter ID laws, with Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro indicating openness to the idea, provided it is not based on unfounded claims. Typically, when states change voting laws, they allow time for election offices and voters to adapt. In contrast, Trump sought immediate implementation of federal voter ID and proof-of-citizenship legislation during the midterms.
Ohio has introduced a proof of citizenship requirement for voter registration at Bureau of Motor Vehicles locations and eliminated a grace period for mail ballots, which must now be received by Election Day. Voting rights advocates have raised concerns about ongoing voter roll purges in the state, which could disenfranchise eligible voters.
Republican state Sen. Theresa Gavarone defended the law, stating that it addresses a real issue of noncitizen voting. Outside an early voting center in Ohio, some voters expressed opposition to the new requirements, viewing them as obstacles to participation.
The Trump administration has attempted various strategies to influence the midterm elections, many of which have been blocked by Congress or the courts. Chris Diaz, director of legislative tracking at the Voting Rights Lab, noted that several versions of Trump's proposals have been enacted in states by his allies.
The Brennan Center for Justice has identified nearly 40 laws in 21 states that will complicate the voting process for eligible voters. Sean Morales-Doyle, senior director of the center's Voting Rights and Elections Program, emphasized the importance of voter participation despite these challenges.