President Donald Trump of the United States has unveiled plans to issue an executive order aimed at abolishing mail-in voting and the use of voting machines ahead of the midterm elections scheduled for November 2026. He claims this move is intended to "bring honesty" to the nation's electoral processes and is part of a broader initiative he describes as a "national movement."
In a lengthy post on his platform, Truth Social, Trump stated, "I will lead a movement to eliminate mail-in ballots and, while we're at it, the highly inaccurate, very expensive, and seriously controversial voting machines." He argued that these voting methods pose a threat to election integrity and labeled them as a "massive fraud," though he did not provide evidence to support these claims.
"WE WILL BEGIN THIS EFFORT, TO WHICH DEMOCRATS STRONGLY OPPOSE BECAUSE THEY CHEAT AT LEVELS NEVER SEEN BEFORE, by signing an EXECUTIVE ORDER to help bring HONESTY to the 2026 Midterm Elections," Trump declared in his post.
New Executive Order Following a Blocked Initiative
Earlier this year, Trump had signed an executive order targeting the elections, which was subsequently blocked by the courts due to lawsuits filed by several states governed by Democrats. He now insists this new initiative is crucial for reforming the U.S. electoral system.
Trump fiercely criticized the Democratic Party, accusing them of relying on mail-in voting to secure electoral victories. "With their horrible radical leftist policies, like open borders, men playing in women's sports, transgenders, and the woke, Democrats are practically unelectable without using this mail-in voting scam," he asserted.
Moreover, he reiterated a central tenet of his political rhetoric since 2020: the notion that mail-in voting enabled "electoral fraud" leading to his loss to Joe Biden. Despite the absence of evidence and the certification of results by multiple independent bodies, Trump maintains that this system was decisive for the Democrats.
Misleading Claims About Mail-In Voting
Trump claimed that "the United States is the only country in the world that uses mail-in voting," and that other nations have abandoned it due to its potential for fraud. This statement is untrue. According to the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA), at least 34 democratic countries—including Spain, Germany, Canada, and the United Kingdom—routinely incorporate mail-in voting in their electoral processes.
Federal Pressure on State Authority
In his message, Trump also sought to redefine the electoral authority of states, cautioning that "states are merely an 'agent' of the Federal Government in counting and tabulating votes." He added, "They must do what the Federal Government, represented by the President of the United States, instructs them, FOR THE GOOD OF OUR COUNTRY."
This stance clashes with the federal structure of the U.S. electoral system, where each of the 50 states conducts its own elections and sets its regulations, including those governing mail-in voting and the technology used.
Legislative Implications of Trump's Strategy
In addition to his campaign against mail-in voting, Trump has hinted at plans to redraw some electoral districts and alter how the Census calculates population, actions that could shift the electoral power of certain states. Trump's comments came shortly after a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who, according to the Republican, shares his view on the need to eliminate mail-in voting. This reference has sparked new criticism in Washington, where it is seen as external validation of internal policies that could undermine confidence in American democracy.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mail-In Voting in the U.S.
Why does Trump want to eliminate mail-in voting?
Trump argues that mail-in voting poses a risk to election integrity and labels it as a "massive fraud," although he has not provided evidence to support these claims.
Is the U.S. the only country that uses mail-in voting?
No, the U.S. is not the only country that uses mail-in voting. At least 34 democratic nations, including Spain, Germany, Canada, and the United Kingdom, incorporate mail-in voting in their electoral processes.
What impact could Trump's proposed changes have on state electoral authority?
Trump's proposal to redefine state electoral authority would conflict with the U.S. federal system, which allows each state to manage its elections and establish its voting regulations.