Ariana Marmolejo Regional Communications Strategist (West) | Conservation Voters New Mexico
President Trump's executive order issued on March 25th aims to tighten election processes, requiring documentary proof of citizenship for federal voting eligibility. It proposes cutting federal funding to non-compliant states and urges the prosecution of “election crimes” by the Justice Department. Crucially, the order would stop states from accepting mail-in ballots received after election day. This order aligns with the recently introduced “Safeguard American Voter Eligibility” (SAVE) Act, which has been prioritized by Congressional House Republican leadership.
The order could create significant barriers for military voters, tribal voters, rural voters, natural disaster survivors, and married women who have changed their names. Statistics cited by The Guardian suggest that less than half of Americans have a valid passport, and that around 21 million voting-age Americans lack current, valid identification.
In response, Molly Taylor, Chief Operating Officer of Conservation Voters New Mexico (CVNM), criticized the order. “The executive order (EO) and the SAVE Act are an attempt to strip the fundamental democratic right to vote from anyone who can’t produce documents that millions of Americans don’t have, can’t afford, or struggle to access. It would disenfranchise tens of millions of eligible voters, targeting working people, young voters, new Americans, married women who’ve changed their names, and Black and brown communities,” she stated.
Taylor expressed concerns that the order extends beyond federal elections and could affect state elections through funding threats, thereby imposing significant access barriers. "When people can’t vote – when certain classes of people can’t vote – elected leaders can act with impunity," Taylor warned. She also highlighted New Mexico's efforts to enhance voting accessibility, citing the enactment of measures like expanding eligibility to felons who have completed their prison terms and the Native Voting Rights Act. The state's elections were top-rated in the 2024 Elections Performance Index by MIT’s Election Data and Science Lab.
CVNM, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, aims to connect New mexicans to political power, protecting the state's natural resources and communities through voter mobilization, election victories, and accountable governance.
