Former President Donald Trump has renewed his campaign against mail-in ballots, vowing to issue an executive order that would ban the practice ahead of next year’s midterm elections. Trump also claimed that Russian President Vladimir Putin shares his opposition to mail-in voting, a statement that has drawn sharp criticism both at home and abroad.
Speaking on Truth Social Monday morning, Trump said he intends to “lead a movement” to eliminate not only mail-in ballots but also electronic voting machines, which he described as “highly inaccurate, very expensive, and seriously controversial.” He argued that these voting methods undermine confidence in elections and insisted that most countries around the world have already abandoned them.
During a recent appearance on Fox News with Sean Hannity, Trump went further, suggesting that Putin himself agreed with his stance. “There’s not a country in the world that uses it now,” Trump said, referring to mail-in voting. “Putin said the same thing — it’s too risky, it leads to fraud.”
Legal and Political Pushback
Trump’s remarks immediately set off alarm bells among legal experts and election officials. Under the U.S. Constitution, the power to regulate elections rests largely with state governments and Congress, not the president. While Trump has signaled he intends to move forward with an executive order, constitutional scholars warn that such a measure would almost certainly be struck down in court.
“Mail-in voting is not only legal, it’s a lifeline for millions of Americans,” said Oregon Secretary of State Tobias Read, whose state has relied almost entirely on vote-by-mail for more than two decades. “Trump is not protecting democracy; he’s actively working to undermine it.”
Critics also argue that eliminating mail-in ballots would disproportionately affect elderly voters, military service members, people with disabilities, and rural communities — groups that often rely on the option when voting in person is difficult.
A Familiar Argument
This is not the first time Trump has tried to restrict access to mail-in ballots. Earlier this year, he signed an order requiring proof of citizenship and stricter ID rules for absentee voters. Federal courts blocked that effort, ruling that the president had overstepped his authority.
Still, Trump has continued to insist that widespread voter fraud cost him the 2020 election, despite repeated audits, court cases, and bipartisan investigations finding no evidence to support the claim. His latest comments suggest that the issue will remain central to his political strategy heading into the 2026 midterms.
International Angle Raises Eyebrows
Perhaps most striking was Trump’s decision to invoke Putin’s supposed agreement on the matter. By citing the Russian leader, who has been widely accused of interfering in past U.S. elections, Trump handed his critics fresh ammunition.
Democratic lawmakers seized on the remarks, accusing Trump of aligning with an adversary. “The former president is bragging about taking advice from Vladimir Putin on how Americans should vote,” said Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.). “That should concern every citizen, regardless of party.”
Republicans, meanwhile, remain divided. Some continue to echo Trump’s claims of election fraud, while others fear that attacking mail-in ballots could alienate voters who have grown accustomed to the convenience, particularly during and after the pandemic.
What’s Next?
For now, Trump has instructed his legal team to draft the executive order, though it is unlikely to survive court challenges. State election officials have vowed to defend the practice, noting that mail-in ballots are not only secure but also widely popular.
As the midterms draw closer, the clash over how Americans cast their votes is set to intensify. Trump’s latest move — tying his opposition to mail-in voting with Putin’s supposed endorsement — has ensured that the debate will remain front and center in the months ahead.
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