Trump's Executive Order on Voting May Impact Americans Residing in Europe
In the realm of political reform, two significant pieces of legislation have recently come to the forefront: the SAVE Act (Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act) and President Trump's executive order. While both aim to address election integrity, they differ significantly in their impact on Americans living abroad, particularly in terms of voting rights and immigration-related policies.
The SAVE Act, primarily focused on tightening voter registration requirements, would require documentary proof of U.S. citizenship, such as a U.S. passport or birth certificate, to register or re-register to vote. This move effectively disallows Real IDs alone for registration and could potentially disenfranchise many eligible voters. Registration would also have to be done in person, ending online, mail-in, and voter registration drives, which can disproportionately affect Americans living abroad who may find it difficult to register in person.
On the other hand, President Trump’s executive orders, while referenced broadly in the context of immigration and regulatory changes, generally relate to immigration policy rather than voter registration. The executive orders focus more on immigration enforcement and the status of non-citizens or parolees rather than altering voting procedures for Americans abroad.
A key difference between the two lies in their impact on Americans living abroad. The SAVE Act imposes direct voting restrictions and documentation burdens likely to affect Americans living abroad by making it harder to register and vote. In contrast, Trump’s executive orders mostly address immigration policy and do not directly modify voting rights or registration for overseas Americans.
The SAVE Act requires Americans living abroad who wish to register to vote or update their voter registration to show proof of their U.S. citizenship, in person, to a U.S. election official. This requirement, combined with the need for specific citizenship documents and travel to local election offices or consulates, could make participation more burdensome and potentially reduce turnout.
The executive order, signed by President Trump, aims to "preserve and protect the integrity of American elections." However, it could potentially make it harder and more tedious for Americans abroad to vote, as the order requires the Department of Defense to update the postcard used for voter registration and absentee ballot requests, adding a requirement for copies of documentary proof of citizenship and "proof of eligibility to vote."
Critics, including the Center for American Progress, warn that the order could block millions of eligible Americans from voting, while organizations like the ACLU have already promised to challenge the directive. The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) will also be given the power to inspect states' voter registration lists, a move that has raised concerns about potential voter suppression.
In conclusion, while both the SAVE Act and Trump’s executive order share a goal of enhancing election integrity, their approaches and impacts on Americans living abroad vary significantly. The SAVE Act imposes direct voting restrictions and documentation burdens likely to affect Americans living abroad, making it harder to register and vote, whereas Trump’s executive orders primarily focus on immigration policy and do not directly modify voting rights or registration for overseas Americans.
The SAVE Act, by imposing stricter voter registration requirements and necessitating in-person registration, could potentially make it more challenging for Americans living abroad to exercise their voting rights due to the need for specific citizenship documents and travel. On the other hand, President Trump's executive order, while aiming to protect election integrity, might indirectly affect Americans abroad by requiring additional documentation for voter registration and absentee ballot requests, raising concerns about potential voter disenfranchisement.
