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Trump revokes Biden's order for federal agencies to promote voter registration

A sign for voter registration stands in Columbia, S.C., in 2024.
Sean Rayford
/
Getty Images
A sign for voter registration stands in Columbia, S.C., in 2024.

President Trump on Monday revoked an executive order by former President Joe Biden that calls for federal agencies to promote voter registration.

The move comes after Republican officials ramped up efforts to turn the 2021 order into a partisan flash point ahead of the 2024 election.

GOP officials claimed — with no substantial evidence — that through this order, the Biden administration overstepped its authority and tried to generate more Democratic voters.

Federal laws, however, ban federal employees from favoring one political party over another when promoting voter registration. And the now-rescinded order covered longstanding federal agencies' voter registration efforts that are authorized under federal laws — including the State and Defense Departments helping eligible military members and other U.S. citizens living abroad vote.

Biden's order led to new voter registration guides, mailers, updated websites and programs such as Veteran Affairs facilities in Kentucky and Michigan distributing and helping eligible voters fill out registration forms.

It's not clear what immediate impact Trump's decision to revoke the order will have on efforts to promote more sign-ups among eligible voters.

Edited by Benjamin Swasey

Copyright 2025 NPR

Hansi Lo Wang (he/him) is a national correspondent for NPR reporting on the people, power and money behind the U.S. census.

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The independent journalism and non-commercial programming you rely on every day is in danger.

If you’re reading this, you believe in trusted journalism and in learning without paywalls. You value access to educational content kids love and enriching cultural programming.

Now all of that is at risk.

Federal funding for public media is under threat and if it goes, the impact to our communities will be devastating.

Together, we can defend it. It’s time to protect what matters.

Your voice has protected public media before. Now, it’s needed again. Learn how you can protect the news and programming you depend on.

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