“Donald Trump on Tuesday signed an executive order seeking to restrict mail-in voting and compile a national voter list in a move that is unprecedented and likely unconstitutional.”

“The order directs the administration to establish a federal list of confirmed citizens that can legally vote in each state, and orders the postal service to send mail-in ballots only to those on the list.”

“During a press conference at the White House, Trump said the administration would like to require voter ID and proof of citizenship, and repeated falsehoods about mail-in voting.”

“Trump has long attacked voting by mail and promoted misinformation about the practice, describing it as a scam that creates fraud in elections. Despite that, he has voted by mail himself, including in a recent special election in Florida.”

“It also directs the postmaster general to require all mail-in and absentee ballots to be placed in “secure ballot envelopes” with official markings, and the postal service to send mail-in ballots only to those on the list, and orders the attorney general to withhold federal funds from “non-compliant” states and cities.”

“Voting rights advocates and Democrats, however, say the order is an unlawful voter suppression effort intended to limit voting ahead of the midterms.”

“Does Trump have the authority to restrict mail-in voting? Experts have described the executive order, which would create a national voter registry and restrict the use of mail-in ballots, as unconstitutional and unlikely to stand up to legal challenges.”

“The president does not have legal authority over elections and mail-in voting. The US constitution permits states to set their own rules for elections. Only Congress can enact changes to US policy on federal elections.”