WASHINGTON, October 15 — Republican-controlled states have enacted a wave of new voting laws this year that mirror former President Donald Trump’s unsuccessful federal proposals, including proof-of-citizenship requirements and stricter voter ID rules. Trump pushed Congress to pass a proof-of-citizenship law, signed an executive order seeking a national voter ID requirement, and attempted to limit mail voting through U.S. Postal Service changes, none of which took effect in time for the 2026 midterm elections.
In response, over three dozen voting laws have been enacted in GOP-led states, with several requiring proof of citizenship for first-time voter registration or updates. In Ohio, a proof of citizenship requirement is now in effect for those registering to vote or updating registration at Bureau of Motor Vehicles offices, and the state has eliminated its four-day grace period for mail ballots, which must now be received by local election officials without extension.
In New Hampshire, student IDs are no longer accepted for voting, a change sponsored by state Rep. Donald McFarlane, who argued that colleges lack the same controls as government agencies when issuing IDs and noted that students can still obtain state IDs free of charge. In Utah, voters returning mail ballots must include additional information on the envelope. In Mississippi, some voters may need to present birth certificates or passports to verify identity.
The ACLU has filed a lawsuit in South Dakota to block a law requiring first-time registrants to present driver’s licenses, Tribal IDs, or non-driver state IDs in person at registration sites, with Kathryn Johnson of the League of Women Voters of South Dakota noting the burden on rural voters who must travel and take time off work.
Republican lawmakers supporting the laws describe them as common-sense measures to build election trust, while Trump and other Republicans have continued advocating for restrictive voting rules based on false claims of widespread fraud in the 2020 election, despite multiple court rulings, audits, and recounts confirming Joe Biden’s victory. Trump’s false claims have been embraced by a majority of Republican voters, who believe Biden was not legitimately elected contrary to all evidence.
Some Democrats, including Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, have expressed openness to voter ID requirements if not based on conspiracy theories. The changes are taking effect as early voting begins in several states.
