On August 18, 2025, US President Donald Trump announced plans to sign an executive order targeting mail-in ballots and voting machines ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. In a social media post, he described the initiative as a “movement” to restore election integrity, alleging widespread Democratic fraud without providing evidence.
Trump stated, “I am going to lead a movement to get rid of MAIL-IN BALLOTS, and… Highly ‘Inaccurate,’ Very Expensive, and Seriously Controversial VOTING MACHINES.” He claimed the executive order would counter Democratic opposition, which he accused of cheating at unprecedented levels. This follows a March 2025 executive order on elections, which courts blocked after lawsuits from Democrat-led states.
Trump asserted that states act as “agents” for the federal government in vote counting, urging them to comply for the nation’s benefit. However, US elections are independently managed by each state, raising questions about the order’s legal enforceability. His announcement came after a Friday meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who reportedly endorsed ending mail-in voting.
Trump has long claimed, without proof, that he won the 2020 election over Joe Biden, advocating for voting system reforms. Notably, he used mail-in voting in past elections and encouraged supporters to do so in 2024. Experts maintain that mail-in ballots and voting machines are secure, with no evidence of widespread fraud.
The proposed executive order is likely to face legal challenges due to states’ autonomy over elections. It may spark heated debates over voter access and election security as the 2026 midterms approach. Trump’s initiative reflects his ongoing efforts to reshape the US electoral process amid partisan tensions.
