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President Donald Trump has signed an executive order that seeks to create a nationwide list of verified eligible voters and impose new restrictions on mail-in voting, according to reports from Dawn and The Hindu. The order, signed on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, directs the Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration to compile the list of eligible voters in each state, and also calls for ballots to have secure envelopes with unique barcodes for tracking.

The move comes amid Trump's repeated attacks on the integrity of U.S. elections, and as his Republican Party faces a serious threat of losing its narrow control of Congress in the November midterm elections, per polls cited by Dawn.

Coverage Comparison

Two sources — Dawn and The Hindu — covered the executive order, with both noting that legal challenges are almost certain. Dawn, a Pakistani English-language daily, framed the order as an escalation of Trump's push to restrict mail-in voting, following his repeated attacks on U.S. elections based on what it called disproven conspiracy theories. The Hindu, an Indian newspaper, described the order as creating a nationwide voter list, and highlighted that it is "sure to draw legal challenges" as Trump continues to demand further voting restrictions.

Both sources reported Trump's statement at the signing, with Dawn quoting him saying, "The cheating on mail-in voting is legendary. It's horrible," and The Hindu quoting: "I think it's going to be really great."

Key Claims

The executive order directs the Department of Homeland Security, working with the Social Security Administration, to create a list of eligible voters in each state, according to The Hindu. It also seeks to bar the U.S. Postal Service from sending absentee ballots to those not on each state's approved list, although the president likely lacks the power to mandate what the Postal Service does, The Hindu noted.

Trump is also calling for ballots to have secure envelopes with unique barcodes for tracking, per The Hindu.

The order is expected to prompt legal challenges, with both sources suggesting that the Supreme Court might ultimately decide its fate. Dawn quoted Marc Elias, a prominent Democratic Party elections lawyer, as saying: "We will sue. I don't bluff and I usually win."

The Constitution gives Congress the power to make or alter election regulations, but does not mention presidential authority over election administration, The Hindu noted, suggesting the order may be an overreach.

Polls show that Trump's Republican Party faces a serious threat of losing its narrow control of Congress in the midterm elections, particularly in the House of Representatives, Dawn reported. If Democrats win, they have signaled they will block Trump's agenda and could move to impeach him.

Trump's false claim to have won the 2020 election against Joe Biden makes him the first president in modern history to have refused a peaceful transfer of power, Dawn reported. No evidence has been produced by any credible authority that the 2020 vote or any other was impacted by cheating, the report noted, and Trump himself has frequently voted by mail-in ballots, as recently as this month in Florida.

A review by the Brookings Institution found only 39 cases of fraud among more than 100 million ballots cast, according to both sources.

The Hindu also noted that this is not Trump's first attempt to change election procedures. A previous executive order in March sought sweeping changes, including a documentary proof-of-citizenship requirement for voter registration and requiring mailed ballots to be received by Election Day. Much of that order has been blocked through legal challenges brought by voting rights groups and Democratic state attorneys general, who allege it's an unconstitutional power grab that would disenfranchise large groups of voters.

Perspectives

Supporters of the executive order, including President Trump, argue that the measures are necessary to prevent voter fraud and ensure election integrity. Trump has repeatedly claimed, without evidence, that mail-in voting is rife with cheating.

Critics, including Democratic elections lawyer Marc Elias and voting rights groups, contend that the order is an unconstitutional overreach that could disenfranchise large groups of voters. They point to the lack of evidence of widespread fraud and the Constitution's assignment of election administration to states and Congress.

Legal experts quoted by The Hindu note that the order is likely to face challenges in court, and its ultimate fate may rest with the Supreme Court. The order's provision regarding the U.S. Postal Service is particularly vulnerable, as the president likely lacks the power to mandate what the Postal Service does.

This article is based on reporting from Dawn and The Hindu. As is standard practice, additional details may emerge as the story develops.