Republican lawmakers are minimizing President Trump’s harsh criticism of mail-in ballots by reassuring that it won’t discourage GOP voters from using the method. The Supreme Court ruled this week that mail-in ballots postmarked by Election Day will count even if they arrive later. Trump criticized the decision, calling it a ‘tremendous loss in the Supreme Court’ while urging lawmakers to create stricter rules for voting and require proof of citizenship for registration.
While Trump continues to make unproven claims of widespread voter fraud, he himself has utilized mail-in voting. House Republicans believe his remarks on the practice and the Supreme Court decision are unlikely to affect those opting for this voting method, especially as tight races approach.
States allowing postmarked Election Day ballots to count within a grace period include Alaska, Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Texas, Illinois, Mississippi, West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Guam, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
President Trump has consistently opposed mail-in voting. He issued an executive order requiring a federal list of eligible approved voters, restricting mail ballot delivery to those on the list. A federal judge blocked this aspect, noting it imposed compliance costs on states.
Trump voted by mail for a Florida state House election in the spring, defending his choice due to his presidential role and responsibilities in Washington, D.C. The White House declared confidence in Trump’s executive action prevailing in court, emphasizing the president’s commitment to election integrity.
Trump urged Congress for legislative changes including requiring photo ID for voting, banning no-excuse mail-in voting, and ending ballot harvesting. Some Republicans agree with Trump, arguing that ballots postmarked by Election Day but received afterward shouldn’t be counted or deserve a tighter grace period.
Rep. Abe Hamadeh (R-Ariz.) still seeks results on Election Day to boost voter confidence, criticizing lengthy counting periods like those in California during primaries. States like California allow ballots to be accepted seven days post-Election Day if postmarked on time. Experts attribute lengthy counts to logistical factors, voter procrastination, and state size.
Republicans address ‘ballot harvesting,’ where individuals deliver ballots for voters, but mass voter fraud evidence, including mail fraud, is scarce. The Heritage Foundation’s election fraud map reports only 71 cases in California from 1993 to 2025, despite millions of votes cast.
Republicans think Trump’s criticism of mail-in voting won’t deter its use in midterms. House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer (R-Ky.) promotes absentee voting in Kentucky, stressing mailing ballots early to avoid delays.
Rep. Nick Begich (R-Alaska) supports mail-in voting for those comfortable with it or preferring early in-person voting. The Republican State Leadership Committee (RSLC) even encourages the practice with an ad in Pennsylvania promoting mail voting as safe, secure, and convenient.
Republican skepticism over mail-in ballots has faded since the pandemic, recognizing its strategic value. Charles Stewart III from MIT noted discouraging mail voting results in higher physical and intellectual costs for voters, limiting their options if unforeseen circumstances arise.
The changing landscape highlights debates around mail-in voting’s effectiveness and potential impact on the upcoming elections.