Trump Faces Backlash Over Plan to Eliminate Mail-In Voting
A Longstanding Process Under Threat
Donald Trump has sparked fresh controversy by vowing to eliminate mail-in voting, a system deeply rooted in American elections since the Civil War. Critics quickly labeled the proposal “blatantly unconstitutional,” noting that election laws are determined by states, not the president.
The announcement came on August 18 through Trump’s Truth Social account. While also promoting himself as a potential peace broker in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Trump declared his intent to “lead a movement to get rid of mail-in ballots” and replace electronic voting machines with paper ballots.
According to Trump, voting machines are “highly inaccurate” and “very expensive.” He suggested that paper ballots with watermarks would restore confidence in elections. His claims echo previous disputes over the 2020 election, where he repeatedly questioned the legitimacy of the results.
Mail-in voting, however, has a long history in the U.S. Absentee ballots were first introduced in 1864, allowing soldiers to vote during the Civil War. Over time, the practice expanded, becoming a trusted option for those unable to vote in person.
The system played a pivotal role in 2020, when millions of Americans cast mail-in ballots during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite Trump’s loss that year, studies and court rulings confirmed the process to be secure, transparent, and reliable.
Election experts argue that mail-in voting increases access, especially for seniors, disabled citizens, and those living overseas. Removing it, they warn, would disenfranchise millions.
Critics also highlight the constitutional limits of presidential power. Decisions on voting procedures rest with states, and no president has unilateral authority to abolish mail-in ballots.
As Trump positions this effort as an election integrity measure, opponents frame it as an assault on democratic norms. The debate over mail-in voting, long settled in practice, is once again at the forefront of American politics.