Michael Smerconish: President Trump wants tighter citizenship verification for federal elections—but there’s a fundamental problem: the United States does not have a comprehensive list of every U.S. citizen.

Sep 12, 2026

President Trump wants tighter citizenship verification for federal elections—but there’s a fundamental problem: the United States does not have a comprehensive list of every U.S. citizen. Michael Smerconish examines the administration’s plan to use federal records and the Postal Service as part of a new mail-ballot verification system—and why incomplete or inaccurate government databases could potentially leave eligible voters off the list. Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware joins the discussion, drawing on his experience in local government and the Senate to explain why federalizing this process raises serious practical concerns. No one is arguing that non-citizens should vote. The bigger question is: How do you verify citizenship accurately without creating an entirely new set of problems?

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About michelleclarke2015

Life event that changes all: Horse riding accident in Zimbabwe in 1993, a fractured skull et al including bipolar anxiety, chronic fatigue …. co-morbidities (Nietzche 'He who has the reason why can deal with any how' details my health history from 1993 to date). 17th 2017 August operation for breast cancer (no indications just an appointment came from BreastCheck through the Post). Trinity College Dublin Business Economics and Social Studies (but no degree) 1997-2003; UCD 1997/1998 night classes) essays, projects, writings. Trinity Horizon Programme 1997/98 (Centre for Women Studies Trinity College Dublin/St. Patrick's Foundation (Professor McKeon) EU Horizon funded: research study of 15 women (I was one of this group and it became the cornerstone of my journey to now 2017) over 9 mth period diagnosed with depression and their reintegration into society, with special emphasis on work, arts, further education; Notes from time at Trinity Horizon Project 1997/98; Articles written for Irishhealth.com 2003/2004; St Patricks Foundation monthly lecture notes for a specific period in time; Selection of Poetry including poems written by people I know; Quotations 1998-2017; other writings mainly with theme of social justice under the heading Citizen Journalism Ireland. Letters written to friends about life in Zimbabwe; Family history including Michael Comyn KC, my grandfather, my grandmother's family, the O'Donnellan ffrench Blake-Forsters; Moral wrong: An acrimonious divorce but the real injustice was the Catholic Church granting an annulment – you can read it and make your own judgment, I have mine. Topics I have written about include annual Brain Awareness week, Mashonaland Irish Associataion in Zimbabwe, Suicide (a life sentence to those left behind); Nostalgia: Tara Hill, Co. Meath.
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