Trump says he will sign order targeting mail-in ballots and voting machines

Trump says he will sign order targeting mail-in ballots and voting machines

President Donald Trump said on August 18, 2025, that he plans to sign an executive order to help “bring HONESTY” to the 2026 midterm elections, as part of an effort to end mail-in ballots and electronic voting machines. In a social media post, he described the machines as “Highly ‘Inaccurate'” and expensive. He did not present evidence for that claim, which election officials dispute.

Because states run elections and Congress sets many federal election rules, legal experts said any such order would likely face immediate court challenges.

The White House did not release a draft of the order at the time.

What was proposed and what remains unclear

Trump’s comments described two goals: ending mail-in voting and replacing voting machines with other methods, such as hand counting. He did not say whether the order would cover all mailed ballots, including absentee voting used by military and overseas voters, or only some categories.

Other questions remained open, including how large counties would count ballots without scanners, whether post-election audits would continue, and how a federal directive would interact with existing state laws for the 2026 cycle.

Can a president ban mail voting?

Under the Constitution, states administer elections and set many of their rules, while Congress can regulate aspects of federal elections. Legal experts say a president’s executive order cannot rewrite state election laws on its own, and they expect lawsuits arguing that a federal ban on mail voting or tabulation machines would exceed executive authority.

Courts also tend to avoid changes to election procedures close to an election because of the risk of voter confusion, an approach known as the Purcell principle. Judges could pause an order while a case proceeds, which would leave current systems in place.

How mail voting works in most states

In most states that offer mail voting, voters request or receive a ballot, verify their identity through signature checks or other state requirements, and return it by mail, at a drop box or in person. Election workers confirm eligibility and scan accepted ballots, keeping the paper originals for audits and recounts.

Many states conduct risk-limiting audits, which compare a statistical sample of paper ballots with machine counts to confirm results. Many jurisdictions also let voters track their mail ballots online.

What voting machines do

In most places, voters mark a paper ballot that is then read by an optical scanner. Some voters use ballot-marking devices for accessibility, which also produce a paper record. Equipment is tested before elections, and the paper ballots allow officials to verify machine totals afterward. Election administrators note that counting every ballot by hand would be slow and can introduce human error.

Officials and experts push back

Election officials from both parties have said there is no evidence that certified scanners are inaccurate. Audits and court reviews after recent elections confirmed results backed by paper ballots, and courts have largely rejected broad claims of fraud for lack of evidence.

Voting rights and good-government groups argue that a national ban would increase costs, slow results and add opportunities for error, and local officials have warned that sudden changes before 2026 would disrupt equipment purchases and training.

What happens next

If an order is issued, states, counties and advocacy groups are expected to sue and ask courts to block it. Congress could also hold hearings on federal and state authority over elections, and some states may pass laws to protect their current voting methods. Until courts rule otherwise, existing state rules remain in effect.

The political stakes

The pledge appeals to voters who distrust mail voting and machines, and allies say it pressures states to tighten procedures. Opponents say it could be used to cast doubt on election results in advance. Without new federal legislation, legal experts say sweeping nationwide changes through executive action would be difficult.

What voters can do now

Voters planning to vote by mail in 2026 can check their state election website for eligibility rules and deadlines and sign up for ballot tracking where it is offered. Those who prefer to vote in person can confirm their polling place and early voting options. Protections for military, overseas and disabled voters remain in federal law.