Why Can’t America Do What India Did? – In a recent move that reignited the debate on election security, former U.S. President Donald Trump posed a powerful question: “Why can’t America do what India did?” His reference? India’s robust voter ID system, which links biometric identification (Aadhaar) with voting credentials to prevent fraud and duplication.
As part of a broader push to strengthen voter ID laws, Trump recently signed an executive order requiring proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections. The directive draws inspiration from countries like India and Brazil, where advanced technologies such as biometrics are used to safeguard democratic processes. But is the U.S. really in a position to implement a similar system? Let’s break it down.
Why Can’t America Do What India Did?
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Executive Order | Trump mandates proof of U.S. citizenship for federal voter registration |
| India’s Model | India uses Aadhaar-linked biometric data to prevent voter fraud |
| Main Challenge | U.S. has a decentralized election system with strong state rights |
| Potential Risks | Risk of disenfranchising low-income and minority voters |
| Supporters Say | Stronger ID laws improve election integrity |
| Opponents Say | Could lead to voter suppression |
| Estimated Cost of U.S. Biometric ID | Tens of billions of dollars |
| Voter Fraud Cases (Heritage Foundation) | 1,400+ proven cases since 1982 |
| Official Link | White House Executive Order (2025) |
Trump’s question—“Why can’t America do what India did?”—has reignited a national conversation about voter ID, election integrity, and civic trust. While India’s biometric model is a technological feat, it thrives under a centralized system that the U.S. simply doesn’t have. That doesn’t mean reforms aren’t possible—but any changes must balance security, access, legality, and fairness.
As the debate continues, one thing is clear: election reform isn’t just about policy—it’s about people, power, and participation.
How Does India’s Voter ID System Work?
India, the world’s largest democracy, has taken huge steps toward digitizing and securing its electoral process. The Aadhaar system, launched in 2009, assigns a unique 12-digit biometric ID to every citizen. This ID captures fingerprints, iris scans, and demographic details. Here’s how it works:
- Voter Registration: Citizens enroll with Aadhaar, providing proof of residence and biometric data.
- Linking to EPIC: Aadhaar is linked with the Election Photo Identity Card (EPIC).
- Verification: During voting, biometric data is used to verify the identity of the voter.
- Duplicate Elimination: Linking Aadhaar with voter ID helps eliminate fake, duplicate, or ghost entries.
According to the Election Commission of India, this has significantly reduced electoral fraud, especially in densely populated states.
As of 2023, over 93% of Indian voters have linked their Aadhaar to their EPIC card (Source: Election Commission of India).
Why the U.S. Can’t Copy-Paste India’s Voter ID System?
While the idea sounds simple on paper, the U.S. electoral system faces several structural and legal challenges:
1. Decentralized Elections
Unlike India, which has a centralized Election Commission, U.S. elections are state-controlled. Each state sets its own rules on:
- Voter registration
- ID requirements
- Absentee voting
So a federal mandate faces resistance from states wanting to maintain autonomy. A “one-size-fits-all” solution isn’t practical across 50 different election codes.
2. Constitutional Concerns
The U.S. Constitution gives states the power to regulate elections. Federal attempts to mandate voter ID laws may face lawsuits for overstepping federal authority.
- Legal precedent: Courts have previously struck down federal overreach in voting laws.
- Congressional limits: Any voter ID overhaul would likely require Congressional approval, not just an executive order.
3. Impact on Marginalized Communities
Civil rights groups warn that stricter ID laws could suppress votes from groups who:
- Lack government-issued photo IDs
- Face difficulties accessing birth certificates or passports
- Are elderly, homeless, or low-income
A 2020 study by the Brennan Center for Justice found that up to 11% of eligible voters lack a government-issued photo ID.
4. Privacy and Surveillance Concerns
Unlike India, the U.S. has strong data privacy advocacy. Implementing a biometric system raises fears of:
- Government surveillance
- Data breaches
- Misuse of personal information
The U.S. would need stringent data protection laws, perhaps similar to Europe’s GDPR, to ensure citizens’ trust.
5. Financial & Logistical Barriers
The cost of creating a nationwide biometric system in the U.S. would be staggering. Experts estimate tens of billions of dollars would be needed for:
- Infrastructure development
- Public education
- Coordination across 50 states
And this doesn’t even account for ongoing maintenance, cybersecurity, and legal oversight.
What Trump’s Executive Order Actually Says?
Signed in March 2025, the Executive Order on Preserving and Protecting the Integrity of American Elections requires:
- Proof of U.S. citizenship during federal voter registration
- Creation of a national voter verification database
- Audit of existing voter rolls for duplicate or ineligible entries
You can read the full order here on whitehouse.gov.
Voter ID Laws: Where Does the U.S. Stand Today?
Currently, 36 states require some form of identification to vote. But only a few mandate proof of citizenship. Here’s a quick breakdown:
States with Strict ID Requirements:
- Georgia
- Indiana
- Kansas
States with Lenient/No ID Requirements:
- California
- New York
- Oregon
Arizona attempted a proof-of-citizenship law in 2004, but it was partially blocked by the Supreme Court in 2013.
What Would It Take for the U.S. to Adopt an India-Like System?
Let’s say America wanted to follow India’s model. What would be required?
1. National Biometric ID
- Currently, the U.S. has no mandatory national ID for citizens.
- A new system (like Aadhaar) would need congressional approval, likely facing privacy and civil liberty challenges.
2. Data Privacy Regulations
- India’s Aadhaar faced legal scrutiny for privacy violations.
- The U.S. would require robust safeguards to prevent misuse of biometric and personal data.
3. Funding & Infrastructure
- India’s Aadhaar took years and billions to build.
- Implementing a U.S. equivalent would cost tens of billions of dollars in federal and state coordination.
4. Public Trust Campaigns
- Public support is crucial. Without education and outreach, many citizens may distrust or refuse to participate in a biometric system.
Arguments For and Against Voter ID Expansion
Pros (Supporters Say):
- Improves election integrity
- Prevents non-citizen voting
- Increases public trust in results
- Aligns with global democratic standards
Cons (Critics Say):
- Disenfranchises vulnerable communities
- Solves a problem that doesn’t exist (voter fraud is rare)
- Poses privacy and surveillance risks
- Could deepen political divides
According to the Heritage Foundation, there have been over 1,400 proven cases of voter fraud since 1982—but critics note that’s minuscule compared to hundreds of millions of ballots cast.
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FAQs
Why did Trump reference India in his voter ID argument?
He highlighted India’s successful use of biometric-linked voter ID (Aadhaar + EPIC) as a potential model for the U.S. to strengthen voter verification.
Will this executive order go into effect immediately?
Not necessarily. It may face court challenges and state resistance, delaying or even blocking implementation.
What is Aadhaar and how does it work in elections?
Aadhaar is India’s biometric ID system, linking fingerprints and iris scans to individuals. It’s linked to voter IDs to reduce fraud and duplication.
Does the U.S. currently require voter ID nationwide?
No. ID laws vary by state. Some states require photo ID, while others have no ID requirements at all.
Could this new order suppress votes?
Critics believe it might, especially among marginalized or low-income voters who struggle to obtain documentation.
Is there a way to improve election security without a biometric system?
Yes. Experts suggest enhancing database audits, improving voter education, securing mail-in voting, and standardizing ID laws without going full biometric.
