The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for Feb. 16, 2026
In a social media post February 13th, President Donald Trump threatened an executive order mandating voter ID for the 2026 midterm elections, “whether approved by Congress or not!” He may try, but the U.S. Constitution says he doesn’t have the authority.
The latest version of the SAVE Act, the SAVE America Act, passed the U.S. House February 11th. While it mandates restrictive voter ID rules for federal elections, it’s not likely to pass in the U.S. Senate.
As DC Circuit Court Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly wrote in issuing permanent injunctions for Trump’s March 2025 executive order: “In matters of election procedures, the Constitution assigns Congress the power to preempt State regulations. The Constitution assigns no direct role to the President in either domain,” UNQUOTE.
The U.S. Constitution’s Elections Clause reads, “The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof; but the Congress may at any time by Law make or alter such Regulations, except as to the Places of chusing Senators.”
In the post, Trump reiterated his demand for proof of citizenship to vote, and an end to no-excuse mail-in voting. Just under one-third of Americans vote by mail, with no evidence of widespread fraud or noncitizen voting.
See which states require ID to vote at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
American Democracy Minute – An Amped Up SAVE Act, the SAVE America Act, Passes the U.S. House and Heads to the Senate. Its Restrictions Could Disenfranchise Millions.
President Donald Trump – Truth Social Post Claiming He Would Require Voter ID
The Hill – Trump floats executive order on voter ID if SAVE Act stalls in Senate
American Democracy Minute –It’s Groundhog Day All Over Again: Trump Executive Order on Elections Loses Again on Constitutional Grounds
The U.S. Constitution – Article I, Section 4 Congress, Clause 1 Elections Clause
The Brookings Institution – Does President Trump have the authority to ‘nationalize’ voting?
National Conference of State Legislatures – Voter ID Laws
Groups Taking Action:
Campaign Legal Center, Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, League of Women Voters US, National Partnership for New Americans
Register or Check Your Voter Registration:
U.S. Election Assistance Commission – How to Register And Vote in Your State
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