Former President Donald Trump has once again called for the end of mail-in voting, claiming it leads to widespread fraud and undermines election integrity. His statements, however, are not supported by evidence and run counter to constitutional limits on presidential authority.
Mail-in voting, which has been used in the United States for more than a century, is governed at the state level. Each state sets its own election laws, within the framework of the Constitution, and no president has the unilateral power to ban or abolish a legally established voting method. The Elections Clause of the Constitution gives state legislatures the authority to regulate the “times, places, and manner” of elections, with Congress holding the power to override those rules. The president has no direct role in setting these rules.
Trump has repeatedly argued that mail-in ballots are vulnerable to fraud, a claim that has been thoroughly investigated and consistently debunked. Numerous studies, as well as reviews by courts and nonpartisan organizations, have found no evidence of widespread fraud linked to mail voting. In fact, Republican and Democratic state officials alike have vouched for its security, pointing out that ballot verification processes, signature checks, and tracking systems make it a secure and reliable option for voters.
During the 2020 election, Trump’s campaign brought dozens of lawsuits challenging mail-in voting procedures. Nearly all were dismissed by courts due to lack of evidence. Judges appointed by both Republican and Democratic presidents rejected claims of fraud, reaffirming the legitimacy of mail-in ballots.
The continued spread of misinformation about mail voting poses risks for public trust in elections. Experts warn that undermining confidence in the system without basis erodes democratic participation. Mail-in voting has been shown to expand access for military personnel, overseas voters, people with disabilities, and those who cannot make it to polling places on Election Day.
While Trump’s calls to end mail-in voting resonate with some of his supporters, constitutional law and precedent make it clear that he does not have the authority to eliminate it. Voting rights remain under state control, and both history and the courts have upheld the practice as a lawful and secure method of casting a ballot in U.S. elections.