Voting Rules Fix Unlikely Before November Election

The countdown to the November elections is in full swing, but changes to voting rules may not be on the horizon. Recent discussions led by President Donald Trump and some Republican lawmakers suggest the desire to implement significant alterations to the electoral process. However, the feasibility of these changes before the upcoming election remains questionable.

Proposed Changes to Voting Rules

As November approaches, various legislative proposals have emerged. Notably, Trump has called for “nationalizing” elections in at least 15 jurisdictions. This proposal raises concerns, especially given the constitutional mandate that states manage their own elections.

Key Legislative Proposals

• SAVE Act: This act passed the House in April but is currently stalled in the Senate. It mandates voters to provide proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate or passport, when registering.
• Second Version of SAVE Act: Similar to the original, but requires proof of citizenship again when casting a ballot.
• Make Elections Great Again Act: This proposal aims to ban universal vote-by-mail systems, affecting states like California and Colorado.

These proposals are controversial. An estimated 21 million American citizens might lack the necessary identification to comply, which raises questions about their accessibility and fairness.

Timing of Legislative Changes

Changing voting laws at this stage is problematic. There is a widely accepted principle that significant changes to electoral procedures should not occur in even-numbered years. For instance, laws intended for the 2026 elections should have been finalized by the end of 2025. Similarly, any adjustments for the 2028 elections should be completed by December 31, 2027.

Challenges Ahead

Election officials across the U.S. are already busy preparing for the November elections. They are verifying thousands of candidate signatures and training poll workers. Furthermore, voter outreach efforts are ongoing following the recent “Help America Vote Day” recruitment drive in January.

The environment surrounding these proposed voter rule changes is complex. With the election drawing near, the focus remains on efficient and fair election administration rather than introducing last-minute alterations that could undermine public confidence in the voting process.