1. United States
2. Pa.
3. Letter

I am writing to express my deep concern regarding President Donald Trump’s recent executive order on elections. While the order claims to uphold the principles of free, fair, and honest elections, its provisions raise significant constitutional and ethical questions that threaten the autonomy of state election administration. The executive order mandates documentary proof of citizenship to vote in federal elections and requires all ballots to be received by Election Day—both measures that exceed the executive branch’s authority. More troubling, however, is the provision granting the Department of Justice (DOJ) the power to withhold federal funding from states that do not comply with an “information-sharing agreement” regarding election law violations. This effectively coerces states into sharing routine voter roll maintenance data with the DOJ, undermining their role in election administration. Election experts have highlighted the risks of this approach. Danielle Lang, Senior Director of Voting Rights at the Campaign Legal Center, warns that the DOJ’s expanded role could supplant states in their constitutional responsibilities. Furthermore, David Becker, Executive Director of the Center for Election Innovation and Research, has noted that applying new criteria for funding outside of congressional law constitutes an overreach of presidential power. The implications of this executive order are profound. State election officials may lose critical funding needed to conduct elections, jeopardizing the democratic process. Additionally, the order’s broad scope—requiring states to report on non-criminal issues like duplicate voter registrations—creates unnecessary burdens and risks penalizing states for routine administrative practices. I urge you to take action to protect the integrity of state election administration and ensure that federal oversight does not infringe upon constitutional boundaries. Free and fair elections are the cornerstone of our democracy, and it is imperative that we uphold these principles without compromising state autonomy. Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter.