Trump Vows Voter ID Executive Order for 2026 Midterm Elections

The former president plans to bypass Congress and implement strict new voting requirements.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Donald Trump announced that he will issue an executive order mandating voter ID and proof of citizenship for the upcoming 2026 midterm elections, despite the SAVE America Act being stalled in the Senate. The proposed order would also ban mail-in ballots with limited exceptions, even though federal data shows illegal voting by non-citizens is already a crime and extremely rare.

Why it matters

This move represents an escalation of Trump's long-running efforts to impose new voting restrictions, which he claims are necessary to combat voter fraud despite a lack of evidence. Legal experts warn the executive order would likely face major constitutional challenges, as the power to regulate federal elections is historically reserved for Congress and the states, not the president.

The details

In a Truth Social post, Trump declared 'There will be Voter I.D. for the Midterm Elections, whether approved by Congress or not!' The executive order would go beyond simple photo ID, requiring proof of citizenship to register and banning mail-in ballots with few exceptions. While the House has passed the SAVE America Act with similar provisions, the bill is stalled in the Senate.

  • On Friday, Trump announced the plan in a Truth Social post.
  • The 2026 midterm elections are scheduled for November.

The players

Donald Trump

The former president who plans to issue the executive order on voter ID and other election rules.

SAVE America Act

A bill passed by the House that would require voters to present documents like a birth certificate or passport in person to register, but is currently stalled in the Senate.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

Legal experts and civil rights advocates are already preparing for a massive constitutional challenge to the proposed executive order, which they argue would exceed the president's authority.

The takeaway

This move represents an escalation of Trump's long-running efforts to impose new voting restrictions, which he claims are necessary to combat voter fraud despite a lack of evidence. However, legal experts warn the executive order would likely face major constitutional challenges, as the power to regulate federal elections is historically reserved for Congress and the states, not the president.