Carter Center Statement on Executive Order on Citizenship Verification and Mail-In Voting

ATLANTA (April 2, 2026) — The administration’s March 31 executive order on citizenship verification and mail-in voting is just the latest example of unconstitutional executive overreach. Article 1, Section 4 of the U.S. Constitution gives states and Congress — not the President — authority to oversee federal elections.

Confidence in elections rests on clarity and transparency. This executive order would do exactly the opposite, confusing voters and local election officials — and potentially prevent American citizens from casting their ballots. Mail-in voting has a strong track record of success, and no credible evidence has found significant levels of non-citizens voting in U.S. elections. This order does not solve any real problem — but it does create new ones. Elected officials, including the President, have a duty to protect, not hinder, the right to vote, a cornerstone of our democracy. We urge them to honor that duty.

Contact: media@cartercenter.org

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