Karoline Leavitt Gives Update on Trump’s Plan to ‘Eliminate’ Mail-In Voting

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt responded to a question about President Donald Trump’s plans to “eliminate” mail-in voting in the U.S.

Trump said Monday he will issue an executive order to end the use of mail-in ballots and voting machines ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, a move that would spark legal challenges by states.

A reporter asked during Tuesday’s press briefing, “President Trump says he plans to “eliminate” mail-in voting. States administer elections not federal authorities. Can you provide any more details about how the White House plans to eliminate that?”

Leavitt responded, in part, “When Congress comes back to Washington, I’m sure there will be many discussions with our friends on Capitol Hill and also our friends in state legislatures to ensure that we’re protecting the integrity of the vote.”

She continued, “The president wants to make it easier for Americans to vote and harder for people to cheat in our elections. He wants to ensure our election integrity. There were great efforts made in 2024. I won’t get ahead of myself for Hatch Act reasons to get ahead for the next election, but I can assure you this is a priority for the president.”

Why does Trump want to get rid of mail-in voting?

President Trump says that mail-in ballots fuel widespread voter fraud, though evidence of it happening in practice in the U.S. is scant. Trump has said he wants to eliminate the practice and require nearly all voters to cast ballots in person on Election Day. Voting-rights advocates say the push is part of a broader Republican effort to restrict ballot access.

“I am going to lead a movement to get rid of MAIL-IN BALLOTS, and also, while we’re at it, Highly ‘Inaccurate,’ Very Expensive, and Seriously Controversial VOTING MACHINES, which cost Ten Times more than accurate and sophisticated Watermark Paper, which is faster, and leaves NO DOUBT, at the end of the evening, as to who WON, and who LOST, the Election,” Trump wrote Monday on Truth Social.

“WE WILL BEGIN THIS EFFORT, WHICH WILL BE STRONGLY OPPOSED BY THE DEMOCRATS BECAUSE THEY CHEAT AT LEVELS NEVER SEEN BEFORE, by signing an EXECUTIVE ORDER to help bring HONESTY to the 2026 Midterm Elections,” Trump wrote.

“Remember, the States are merely an ‘agent’ for the Federal Government in counting and tabulating the votes. They must do what the Federal Government, as represented by the President of the United States, tells them, FOR THE GOOD OF OUR COUNTRY, to do.”

Which countries allow mail-in voting?

More than 60 countries allow some form of voting by mail, according to the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance. In Germany and Switzerland, postal ballots are widely available to all voters, while in countries such as France and Japan the option is more limited, often restricted to citizens living abroad or people unable to reach polling places. Safeguards vary by country, with many requiring ID checks or witness signatures.

How long has mail-in voting been around?

Mail-in voting in the United States dates back to the Civil War, when several states passed laws allowing Union soldiers to cast absentee ballots from the battlefield, according to the U.S. Election Assistance Commission. The practice expanded in the 20th century to accommodate voters who were traveling or ill. In recent decades, states such as Oregon, Colorado and Washington have shifted to all-mail elections, where every registered voter automatically receives a ballot.

Democratic National Committee (DNC) Senior Spokesperson Marcus W. Robinson previously told Newsweek that Trump’s promise is “legally baseless” and said it “threatens the voting rights of millions of Americans, including military families and voters abroad.”

Does Canada have mail-in voting?

Canada allows nationwide voting by mail through a program overseen by Elections Canada. Any registered voter can apply for a special ballot, which can be mailed or dropped off, including by citizens living abroad or serving in the military. Ballots must be received by the time polls close on Election Day to be counted, according to Elections Canada.

Update: 8/19/25, 2:33 p.m. ET: This article was updated with new information and remarks.