Trump vows to eliminate mail-in ballots as midterms approach

In the United States, Donald Trump, the former president, made waves on August 18, 2025, by declaring his intention to abolish mail-in ballots and voting machines through a movement he plans to lead. This announcement came via a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, where he expressed strong opinions about the integrity of these voting methods, claiming they are 'highly inaccurate' and 'very expensive.' Trump's contention that these systems lead to voter fraud is a recurring theme in his rhetoric, even as studies indicate that mail-in voting typically bears low rates of fraud. In his social media post, Trump said he intends to back this effort with an executive order aimed at asserting federal control over state-administered elections, a move that is likely to face substantial legal challenges. The announcement suggests a renewed focus on the 2026 midterm elections, following Trump’s continuous assertions that his 2020 election defeat was influenced by fraudulent practices connected to mail-in ballots. Notably, Trump seems to have derailed his earlier stance on mail-in voting; he had previously led his supporters to vote by mail during the 2024 election. Trump’s comments about voting practices coincided with a discussion he said he had with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who allegedly echoed Trump's sentiments regarding the validity of mail-in voting systems. This statement further fuels debate within the GOP as some members, including Trump, continue to challenge the legitimacy of mail-in voting. Despite Trump's allegations, many legal experts emphasize that states govern the conduct of elections, and his claims of heightened federal power over voting are not supported by the Constitution. As a result, Trump's ongoing focus on voter fraud and call for changes could potentially lead to divisiveness within the Republican Party. Observers note that any executive order he pursues might not only face legal scrutiny but also political backlash, considering the varied opinions among Republicans regarding mail-in voting. The announcement has generated discussions about Trump's delving once again into controversial election measures, which could have implications for the integrity and accessibility of future elections.