Trump plans to end mail-in voting and voting machines

Trump seeks an executive move to end mail-in ballots and some voting machines, while experts question legal authority.

Trump pushes plan to end mail-in voting and voting machines

President Trump announced on Truth Social that he intends to sign an executive order to end mail-in ballots and potentially some voting machines ahead of the 2026 midterms. He argued that mail ballots are corrupt and that machines are expensive and unreliable, urging Republicans to take a tougher approach.

Legal experts say the president cannot unilaterally remake how elections are run. They note that Congress, not the president, has the power to regulate federal elections. Even if an executive order were drafted, litigation would be likely, and states would still need to adjust laws or procedures to implement any changes before voting begins. Several scholars and election officials say moving quickly on such a plan is logistically challenging and could disrupt planning already underway for next year’s primaries and state primaries.

The move exposes a wider debate about how much power the federal executive should have over elections. Advocates of tighter voting controls say the changes could improve security, while critics warn it would undermine trust in the system and burden voters who rely on mail ballots. The episode reinforces how election rules stay largely with states, even when political rhetoric calls for sweeping reform. The real test will come in courts and legislatures, where constitutional limits and practical logistics collide.

Highlights

The coming months will reveal how much can be changed through executive action or the courts