Trump signed an order to reshape how elections in the US are run. Is it constitutional?

Yahoo! News - Mar 26th, 2025
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President Donald Trump's recent executive order proposing sweeping changes to voter registration and ballot submission processes is already facing significant legal challenges. The order, which mandates proof of citizenship for voter registration and sets an Election Day return deadline for mailed ballots, has been criticized for overstepping presidential authority and infringing on states' rights as outlined in the U.S. Constitution. Election officials, state attorneys general, and legal experts argue that the order's legality is dubious, suggesting that it could be contested in court for encroaching on states' powers to regulate elections.

The potential implications of Trump's order are substantial, as it attempts to centralize electoral authority under the presidency, contradicting the decentralized nature of the U.S. electoral system. Critics, including election law experts and civil rights organizations, warn that the order could disenfranchise millions of voters, particularly those without immediate access to citizenship documentation. As the order's legality comes under scrutiny, numerous states and organizations are preparing to challenge it in court, highlighting ongoing tensions around voter rights and election integrity in the U.S.

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RATING

7.6
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The article provides a comprehensive overview of President Trump's executive order on elections, highlighting its key provisions and potential legal challenges. It effectively presents multiple perspectives, including those of election officials, legal experts, and state attorneys general, offering a balanced view of the order's implications.

The story is timely and relevant, addressing a topic of significant public interest with potential consequences for voter rights and election integrity. The article is well-written and accessible, though it could benefit from deeper exploration of the legal and constitutional issues involved.

Overall, the article succeeds in informing readers about a controversial and impactful issue, encouraging engagement and discussion while maintaining a high level of accuracy and transparency.

RATING DETAILS

8
Accuracy

The story presents several factual claims about President Trump's executive order on elections, which are largely accurate. The article accurately describes the provisions of the order, such as the requirement for proof of citizenship for voter registration and the mandate that ballots be received by Election Day. These points align with the executive order's details reported in other sources.

However, the article could improve its accuracy by providing more detailed legal context regarding the constitutional challenges mentioned. While it correctly notes that the order may face legal challenges for overstepping presidential authority, it should further clarify the specific legal statutes or precedents that the order might violate.

The story correctly includes reactions from various stakeholders, such as election officials and legal experts, which are accurately attributed and provide a balanced view of the potential legal hurdles. Overall, the article maintains a high level of factual accuracy, though it could benefit from deeper exploration of the legal complexities involved.

7
Balance

The article does a commendable job of presenting multiple perspectives on President Trump's executive order. It includes viewpoints from both Democratic and Republican officials, as well as legal experts who question the order's legality. This range of perspectives helps provide a balanced view of the potential implications of the order.

However, the article could enhance its balance by including more viewpoints from states that support the order, as it primarily focuses on criticisms from Democratic officials and legal experts. Including more voices in favor of the order would provide a fuller picture of the political landscape and the order's reception.

Overall, the article is relatively balanced, but it leans slightly towards highlighting the criticisms and potential legal challenges, which may give the impression of bias against the order.

8
Clarity

The article is well-structured and clearly written, making it easy for readers to follow the narrative and understand the key points. The use of subheadings helps organize the information and guide readers through the different aspects of the story.

The language is straightforward and accessible, avoiding jargon and technical terms that might confuse readers. The article effectively explains complex legal and political issues in a way that is understandable to a general audience.

While the article is clear overall, it could benefit from more detailed explanations of some of the legal terms and concepts mentioned, such as the Elections Clause and the National Voter Registration Act, to enhance reader comprehension.

8
Source quality

The article relies on credible sources, including statements from election officials, legal experts, and state attorneys general. These sources are authoritative and relevant, providing credibility to the claims made in the story.

The inclusion of quotes from individuals like Jena Griswold, David Becker, and Matt Platkin adds depth to the reporting, as these individuals have expertise and authority in election law and administration. The story also references legal experts and organizations such as the ACLU and the Brennan Center for Justice, which are reputable sources on voting rights issues.

While the article does not cite specific legal documents or court cases, the quality of the sources used is high, and their expertise lends credibility to the analysis of the executive order's potential legal challenges.

7
Transparency

The article is transparent in its presentation of information, clearly attributing statements and opinions to specific individuals and organizations. This transparency helps readers understand the basis for the claims and perspectives presented.

However, the article could improve its transparency by providing more detailed explanations of the legal and constitutional issues involved. While it mentions the Elections Clause and the National Voter Registration Act, it does not delve deeply into these legal frameworks or how they might specifically apply to the executive order.

Overall, the article is fairly transparent, but it could enhance its clarity by offering more context on the legal principles and precedents relevant to the story.

Sources

  1. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-elections-executive-order-citizenship/
  2. https://www.politico.com/news/2025/03/25/trump-signs-sweeping-executive-order-targeting-election-rules-00249891
  3. https://www.aclu.org/press-releases/aclu-responds-to-trumps-anti-voter-executive-order
  4. https://www.americanprogress.org/article/trumps-executive-order-on-elections-aims-to-dictate-how-states-run-elections-and-handpicks-which-citizens-can-vote/