By John Q. Hosedrinker 
In a recent announcement, President Trump declared his intention to spearhead an initiative to ban mail-in ballots and voting machines for the upcoming midterm elections, sparking immediate criticism. Trump falsely claimed that no other country utilizes mail-in voting and repeated the debunked assertion that the 2020 election was lost due to mail-in ballot fraud. He stated he would sign an executive order that forbids mail-in ballots and automatic tabulation machines. However, legal experts such as Marc Elias argue such an executive order would be unconstitutional, representing a significant threat to free and fair elections.
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Trump Vow to ‘Get Rid of Mail-In Ballots’ for 2026 Blasted as ‘Unconstitutional’
The idea of Donald Trump vowing to eliminate mail-in ballots for the 2026 elections has sparked immediate and widespread condemnation, with critics decrying the move as unconstitutional. The core argument here is straightforward: the U.S. Constitution grants states, not the federal government, the authority to manage elections. Any attempt by a president to dictate voting methods at the state level would directly contradict this fundamental principle, which is laid out in the 10th Amendment, which explicitly reserves powers not delegated to the federal government, to the states.
The irony is palpable, because Trump, of all people, has himself utilized mail-in voting. This fact alone exposes the hypocrisy of the proposed ban. Moreover, the reality is that mail-in voting is actually quite popular among Republicans, especially in rural communities and among older voters. To summarily dismiss this method would effectively disenfranchise a significant portion of the Republican base, the very people he claims to represent. There’s also the very real issue of how such a ban would impact military personnel serving overseas, who often rely on mail-in ballots to participate in the democratic process. This adds another layer of injustice to the proposed policy.
Beyond the question of constitutionality, there’s a very clear concern about voter suppression and intimidation. Eliminating mail-in voting opens the door to a host of tactics designed to make it more difficult for certain groups to vote. This includes the potential for increased presence of law enforcement at polling locations, the introduction of overly restrictive voting laws, and the possibility of poll watchers challenging voters based on questionable criteria. The goal is not to ensure free and fair elections, but to manipulate the process to favor a specific outcome.
This approach is reminiscent of how authoritarian regimes often operate. They maintain the illusion of democracy by holding elections, but they rig the system to ensure their continued dominance. The manipulation can involve gerrymandering, restricting voter access through various means, and purging voter rolls, all designed to suppress the vote of the opposition.
The move to eliminate mail-in voting also seems to be another example of Trump taking orders from Putin. Considering all the information available, it’s hard to ignore the idea that this “order” is yet another way for Putin to exert control, and damage American democracy.
The potential consequences of such a policy are far-reaching. Removing mail-in ballots would make it more difficult for people with disabilities, the elderly, and those with limited mobility to vote, and it would disproportionately affect people in rural areas and members of the military stationed overseas. This would not only disenfranchise millions of eligible voters, but it would also erode public trust in the electoral process. The effect, if implemented, would create longer lines at polling stations and an increased risk of errors and challenges in the count. In short, this is about rigging elections.
Even if the intent is not to rig the election, it certainly seems like that is the end result. The ban appears to be motivated by a desire to undermine the voting rights of specific groups, for the sake of political power.
Looking ahead, a number of scenarios could play out. Blue states might continue to use mail-in ballots. If Trump, in such a case, starts losing, he could attempt to write an executive order to declare those ballots invalid. Republicans would be expected to approve of this, and conservative media would happily echo the narrative. It is not inconceivable.
Ultimately, this situation underscores a disturbing trend: the erosion of democratic norms and the increasing willingness of some politicians to manipulate the electoral process for their own benefit. The Constitution is not being treated as the law of the land, it is being discarded in favor of what certain figures believe is right. And it’s difficult to imagine that anyone believes that this will, in the end, work in the best interests of the country.