Trump Faces New Hurdle
President Donald Trump is once again making headlines by signaling that he could issue an executive order to eliminate mail-in voting ahead of the 2025 midterms. The move highlights Trump’s determination to restore election integrity, though even some Republican leaders are split on how far to go.
Mail-In Voting and the Fraud Debate
Mail-in voting exploded in recent years, with more than 30% of ballots cast by mail in at least 14 states and Washington, D.C., according to the most recent data. Despite the surge, Trump still won half of those states — many overseen by Republican governors and secretaries of state.
For Trump and millions of his supporters, the issue is clear: vote-by-mail opens the door to widespread fraud and weakens confidence in America’s elections.
Republican Leaders Push for Reform
Michigan House Majority Leader Bryan Posthumus, a Republican who endorsed Trump last year, agrees the current system is a major risk. He has introduced proposals requiring proof of citizenship to register and a photo ID to cast a ballot.
“We shouldn’t just throw out voting by mail completely,” Posthumus said. “But we do need to secure it. Voting should always be easy — but cheating must be impossible.”
National GOP Divided
Across the country, Republican officials echo Trump’s frustration but differ on strategy. Some worry that a complete ban could impact members of the U.S. military who vote overseas. Others believe securing mail-in systems — not banning them outright — is the smarter path forward.
Paul Dame, chairman of the Vermont GOP, admitted Trump’s instincts are right but warned that “a full elimination could unintentionally disenfranchise troops abroad.”
Legal Hurdles Ahead
Even if Trump issues an executive order, the U.S. Constitution gives states the power to run elections as they see fit. Congress could pass national election reforms, but Senate Democrats would almost certainly block any legislation.
That means the legal battle over mail-in voting could stretch well into the 2025 midterms — keeping the fight over election integrity front and center.
Why It Matters for 2025 and Beyond
For millions of conservatives, the issue boils down to one principle: every legal vote must count, and every fraudulent vote must be stopped. Trump’s bold approach ensures the debate over mail-in ballots will remain one of the defining issues of the 2025 election season.
