LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — In a true social post on Friday, President Donald Trump announced plans to issue an executive order requiring voters to show proof of identification when casting their ballots at polling sites.
The announcement comes just months ahead of the midterm elections scheduled for November.
While a valid I.D. is required to register to vote in Nevada, it is not required to cast a ballot, but in his Truth Social post, President Trump says that with or without Congress’s approval, he intends to implement an executive order.
“They are trying to really limit the ability of people to vote in this country, and they are trying to control our elections,” said U.S. Nevada Senator Catherine Cortez-Masto.
Sen. Cortez-Masto, who spoke with News 3 on Wednesday, that same day, legislators passed the Save Act through the House, which would require voter IDs and proof of citizenship during elections across all 50 states. Sen. Cortez-Masto told News 3 how that change could impact voters.
The SAVE Act is more than just a photo ID; it is proof of citizenship. They are demanding proof of citizenship from people. Think about all of the seniors out there, so many people that don’t even have their birth certificate or cannot prove that in this day and age, sometimes, and so they are going to be prevented from voting, even though they are United States citizens or born in this country?” Sen. Cortez-Masto said.
While President Trump cites cheating as a concern for wanting voter I.D.’s as a requirement to cast a ballot, Sen. Cortez-Masto recalls her time as Nevada’s 32nd Attorney General, where she investigated cases of voter fraud, saying it is not something that is occurring on a large scale.
“It is a focus that I really focused on when I was attorney general to go after individuals who are either registering or committing voter fraud. Very few did, and then they did, we caught them, and we held them accountable, so it is not a problem in this country,” Sen. Cortez-Masto added.
In 2024, Nevadans voted to approve a ballot measure to amend the state constitution and require voter I.D.’s for elections, but unlike the Save Act, it would not require proof of citizenship. While that measure still has to be passed a second time by Nevadans before it can officially take effect, President Trump plans to issue an executive order affecting all states. Sen. Cortez-Masto argues the decision should be left to voters.
“It is going to come back to voters in Nevada and the voters will decide, but there is a way to do it that you are not asking for proof for citizenship and eliminating an individual’s right to vote, if they don’t have that birth certificate,” said Sen. Cortez-Masto.
Currently, Nevada is one of 14 states that do not require voters to show ID at polling locations. While passing by the house earlier this week, the Save Act still faces approval from the Senate. It’s also unclear when President Trump could sign an executive order on the matter, which would likely face legal challenges.
