White House says sweeping order will restore trust in elections; critics warn of voter suppression
U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday announced plans for a sweeping executive order to eliminate mail in voting and restrict the use of electronic tabulation machines ahead of the 2026 midterm elections a move the White House claims will enhance election security and rebuild public trust.
In a press briefing at the White House, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the administration’s goal is to “make voting easier for eligible Americans while eliminating avenues for fraud.” She added that the order, currently being finalized, will mandate in person voting using paper ballots for all federal elections.
President Trump, speaking at a campaign style event in Pennsylvania, called electronic voting machines “expensive, inaccurate, and controversial,” and described the proposed reform as “a common-sense, nationwide effort to secure our democracy.”
The announcement has already drawn sharp criticism from voting rights advocates and several state election officials, who say such a move could disenfranchise millions of voters and interfere with states’ constitutional authority to administer their own elections.
This is not the first time Trump has argued mail in voting. During the 2020 presidential race, Trump repeatedly questioned the legitimacy of mail in ballots, claiming without substantiated evidence that widespread fraud had occurred. Multiple audits and court rulings upheld the results of that election, and a 2021 report by the FBI and DHS concluded there was no evidence of widespread voter fraud.
Trump’s return to the White House in 2025 reignited debates over electoral integrity, with Republicans largely supporting tighter controls and Democrats accusing the administration of attempting to suppress turnout.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called the proposed executive order “an unprecedented assault on democratic participation,” while Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes said the measure would face immediate legal challenges. “This move is unconstitutional and deeply disruptive,” Fontes said.
Meanwhile, Republican governors in Florida and Texas voiced support, saying the reforms would streamline vote counting and restore public confidence after years of partisan mistrust.
Next Steps:
The executive order is expected to be signed by early September. Legal experts say it will likely trigger lawsuits over federal versus state jurisdiction, especially in states that have long relied on absentee and mail-in ballots for military and overseas voters.
