Executive Order Just Released Fundamentally Changing the Election Process
I posted this as a reply in a different thread, but feel it's worth elevating to it's own post given I haven't seen much posted about this latest EO yet.
To summarize: this executive order (if it is not stopped) has MASSIVE implications for our elections.
I am still reviewing some of the details, but here's a high level summary based on my understanding so far.
The Executive Order titled, "PRESERVING AND PROTECTING THE INTEGRITY OF AMERICAN ELECTIONS" would result in the following changes to our election system:
- Specifies that any mail in ballots that are delivered after election day (regardless of when they are postmarked) are invalid.
- This is a HUGE red flag, and would mean, for example, that the USPS can decide to delay delivery of some ballots if they choose to (or are directed to). Those ballots legally would not be counted.
- Introduces seriously problematic new requirements for voter registration. Registration can only be done IN PERSON, and requires individuals to present proof of citizenship.
- Proof of citizenship can ONLY be confirmed by presenting either a passport (which many Americans don't have), a military ID, OR a real ID (which requires presenting either a birth certificate or passport to obtain).
- This means that, for example, kids who grew up in New York and never got a driver's license will find it very challenging to register to vote. Same with the elderly who may not have a license any more. Another huge red flag.
- Actively deployed military members are also subject to this requirement... Which I assume makes voting more or less impossible if actively deployed (and even if they DO manage to register, I'm sure most mail in ballots won't make it in time due to requirement #1 above)
- Instructs DOGE to work with state and local election agencies to perform a purge of voter registrations.
- The activities included in the purge are outlined in section 52 U.S.C. 20507).
- Take a bit of time to read through the link above. There are a LOT of little loopholes and gotchas that have the potential to be used maliciously to thin out the voter roles significantly. Among them – removing any voter that has not voted in the last 2 elections (including mid-terms) and removing any voter that has changed their address
- Any voter that is removed through this process would need to follow the problematic process outlined in #2 above in order to reregister
- Forces states and local election offices to provide the government with a address/contact information of any non citizen who has submitted voting information (presumably to share with ICE for deportation purposes...)
- Fundamentally changes guidelines around voting machines to prevent any ballots that use barcodes or QR codes for scanning
- I assume this will make it much easier for ballots to be quickly forged for future elections if desired. My understanding is that the barcode is the most challenging part to duplicate, the rest is just filling in bubbles on a piece of paper
- Invalidates all voting machine certifications and directs the “Election Assistance Commission” to review and recertify machines (which has massive implications for election tampering, etc.)
- Additionally, the order directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to review (to the maximum extent possible) the security of all electronic systems used in registration and voting
- Threatens any state that does not comply with these requirements by withholding all federal funding
- The order also directs FEMA to deprioritize any states that do not comply
Given the implications here, one has to wonder if the Signal messaging scandal was engineered to serve as a distraction from this order.