U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order mandating that ballots be counted by hand instead of by machine. Trump, who has repeatedly claimed that the election he lost in 2020 was fraudulent, appears to reveal a renewed distrust in the existing electoral system through this action.
The Washington Post (WP) reported on the 13th (local time) that President Trump signed an executive order that could require hand counting of ballots or the introduction of new voting equipment. Concerns have been raised that if this measure is implemented, the midterm elections scheduled for November 2026 could face significant chaos.
According to WP, the executive order includes provisions for: ▲ mandating proof of citizenship when registering to vote ▲ adjusting mail-in ballot deadlines in some states ▲ allowing federal agencies to review voter lists ▲ introducing new voting systems. Notably, regarding the voting system, the order reportedly stipulates that the Federal Election Commission (EAC), which oversees elections, revoke certification for existing voting equipment and establish new standards.
The Trump administration stated that it would prioritize federal election subsidies for states that implement this executive order.
However, the actual feasibility of enforcement is unclear. The EAC is an independent agency that operates outside direct presidential control, so the legal effectiveness of the executive order is limited. Currently, some state attorneys general, the Democratic National Committee, the League of Women Voters, and the League of United Latin American Citizens have filed lawsuits to nullify the order. Legal experts also assess that "this executive order is a measure that exceeds the president's authority and will be difficult to execute."
Budget issues are also a hurdle. According to a report released by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Election Data and Science Lab in 2022, at least $1 billion (approximately 1.4245 trillion won) is needed to replace voting machines across the United States. Given that Congress allocated approximately $55 million (about 78.515 billion won) in election subsidies to state governments last year, which is a decrease of about 25% compared to the previous year, questions have arisen about the uncertainty of additional expense support.
The hand counting of ballots, proposed as an alternative, also consumes significant time and manpower and has a high potential for errors, leading to opposition from both parties, WP reported. Former Republican Congressman Dan Burton expressed concern, stating, "It would take an enormous amount of time to achieve accurate results with hand counting in a large election."
Since his defeat in the 2020 presidential election, Trump has continuously raised issues with the U.S. electoral system, and this executive order is interpreted as part of that ongoing effort. Previously, he appointed Pam Bondi, former attorney general of Florida, and Kash Patel, former chief of staff to the Secretary of Defense, who have both claimed election fraud, to key positions in his second administration. On the 10th, Tulsi Gabbard, the director of national intelligence, stated in a cabinet meeting that "evidence of hacking into the electronic voting system has been obtained."