Trump targets mail-in ballots ahead of vote
Mail-in and absentee ballots can be counted after Election Day in 18 states so long as they're postmarked on or before that date, and just over 30 percent of those cast in the 2024 election were submitted by mail. There is no evidence that postal voting is less secure than other methods and pro-democracy groups say ending it could disenfranchise millions of Americans with disabilities and other difficulties turning out in person.
But Trump repeatedly spread misinformation about the practice as he campaigned in 2020 and 2024. After his defeat in 2020, he falsely claimed that tens of thousands of fraudulent mail-in ballots had helped Democrat Joe Biden beat him. Trump said Friday his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin — who US investigators found interfered on the Republican's behalf in the 2016 election — agreed with him that letting voters send in ballots by mail risked election integrity. 'You know, Vladimir Putin said something, one of the most interesting things,' Trump told Fox News. 'He said, 'Your election was rigged because you have mail-in voting.' He said, 'Mail-in voting, every election.' He said, 'No country has mail-in voting. It's impossible to have mail-in voting and have honest elections.''
Data compiled by the International IDEA organization shows there are 34 countries worldwide allowing in‑country postal voting — including Germany, Britain, Denmark and US neighbor Canada. Trump issued an executive order in March directing Attorney General Pam Bondi to 'take all necessary action' against states counting absentee or mail-in ballots received after the election, even if they were postmarked by Election Day.
A judge ruled that Trump lacked the authority to impose state election rules and blocked the edict. Despite his criticism, Trump cast mail ballots twice in Florida in 2020 primary elections and used absentee ballots in New York in 2018 and 2017. But he voted in-person in the 2016 and 2020 presidential elections. — AFP
And there was a brief about-face in 2024 when he announced the launch of a 'Swamp The Vote USA' drive to encourage postal ballots, which analysts saw as a pragmatic acceptance of the reality that mail-in ballots are how many of his supporters vote.
Chuck Schumer, who leads the Democratic minority in the US Senate, accused Trump of seeking a return to the 'Jim Crow' era of the late 1870s to mid-1960s, when states enforced racial segregation and disenfranchised African Americans. 'Let's be clear — this is not based in fact or reality, but it is yet another way for Trump to silence Americans from using their voice in the democratic process and implement Jim Crow laws across America,' he said in a statement. 'Senate Democrats will make sure that any and every measure that would make it even more difficult for Americans to vote will be dead on arrival in the Senate and will continue to fight to protect our democracy.' — AFP
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Kuwait Times
5 hours ago
- Kuwait Times
Zionists continue stalling, killing after Hamas backs truce
GAZA: A senior Zionist official on Tuesday said the government stood firm on its call for the release of all captives in any future Gaza ceasefire deal, after Hamas accepted a new truce proposal. Mediators are awaiting an official Zionist response to the plan, a day after Hamas signaled its readiness for a fresh round of talks aimed at ending nearly two years of war. Mediator Qatar expressed guarded optimism for the new proposal, noting that it was 'almost identical' to an earlier version agreed to by the Zionist entity. Speaking on the condition of anonymity, a senior Zionist official told AFP the government's stance had not changed and demanded the release of all captives in any deal. The two foes have held on-and-off indirect negotiations throughout the war, resulting in two short truces during which Zionist hostages were released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, but they have ultimately failed to broker a lasting ceasefire. Qatar and Egypt, backed by the United States, have mediated the frequent rounds of shuttle diplomacy. Egypt said Monday that it and Qatar had sent the new proposal to the Zionist entity, adding 'the ball is now in its court'. Qatari foreign ministry spokesman Majed Al-Ansari said on Tuesday that Hamas had given a 'very positive response, and it truly was almost identical to what the (Zionist) side had previously agreed to'. 'We cannot make any claims that a breakthrough has been made. But we do believe it is a positive point,' he added. According to a report in Egyptian state-linked outlet Al-Qahera News, the latest deal proposes an initial 60-day truce, a partial hostage release, the freeing of some Palestinian prisoners and provisions allowing for the entry of aid. Zionist Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has yet to publicly comment on the plan, but said last week that his country would accept 'an agreement in which all the hostages are released at once and according to our conditions for ending the war'. Senior Hamas official Mahmoud Mardawi said on social media that his group had 'opened the door wide to the possibility of reaching an agreement, but the question remains whether Netanyahu will once again close it, as he has done in the past'. Hamas' acceptance of the proposal came as Netanyahu faced increasing pressure at home and abroad to end the war. The new proposal also comes after the Zionist security cabinet approved plans to conquer Gaza City, fanning fears the new offensive will worsen the already catastrophic humanitarian crisis in the devastated territory. Zionist far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir – who has staunchly opposed ending the war – slammed the plan, warning of a 'tragedy' if Netanyahu 'gives in to Hamas'. Gaza's civil defense agency reported that 45 people were killed on Tuesday by Zionist strikes and fire across the territory. Agency spokesman Mahmud Bassal told AFP the situation was 'very dangerous and unbearable' in the Zeitoun and Sabra neighborhoods of Gaza City, where he said 'artillery shelling continues intermittently'. Tanks completed taking control of Zeitoun and continued to pound Sabra, killing two women and a man, medics said. Local health authorities said dozens of people had been trapped in their houses because of the shelling. Thousands of people are estimated to have fled the area in the past few days. Sabra resident Hussein Al-Dairi, 44, said 'tanks are firing shells and mortars, and drones are firing bullets and missiles' in the neighborhood. 'We heard on the news that Hamas had agreed to a truce, but the occupation is escalating the war against us, the civilians,' he added. The Zionist offensive has killed at least 62,064 Palestinians, most of them civilians. At a shelter in Khan Yunis, in the south of the enclave, displaced people had mixed feelings over whether a deal would be reached this time. 'I expect - every time the (Zionist) occupation would be obstinate, reject and receive proposals with negative responses - I expect the same for this proposal as well,' said Abdallah Al-Khawaja. Women sat by wood fires cooking meals for their families, while men filled plastic gallons with water; many hoped the Zionist entity would approve the proposal. 'What I say and expect as a member of the Palestinian people living in the Gaza Strip, one of the bereaved and displaced, is that I expect a positive response (from the Zionist entity),' said Awad Labde. Hamas official Izzat El-Reshiq said that the truce proposal it has agreed to is an interim accord that would pave the way for negotiations on ending the war. A source close to the talks said that, unlike previous rounds, Hamas accepted the proposal with no further demands. – Agencies
Kuwait Times
8 hours ago
- Kuwait Times
Poilievre secures return to Canadian parliament
TORONTO: Canada's Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre secured a return to parliament after winning more than 80 percent support in a by-election held in a heavily right-wing district, official results showed Tuesday. The result, four months after Poilievre lost his seat in a humiliating general election defeat, sets him up to reclaim his role as opposition leader in parliament, where he will confront Prime Minister Mark Carney. Poilievre had been on track to become prime minister in April's elections until US President Donald Trump's return to power upended Canadian politics with talk of annexing his northern neighbor. Poilievre's Conservatives blew a massive polling lead as voters backed Carney to confront Trump. In an added blow, Poilievre lost to a Liberal in his own constituency, an Ottawa-area district he had represented for two decades. He vowed to stay on as the Conservative party head, but needed a seat in parliament before he could return as leader of the opposition. The MP for Battle River-Crowfoot — a rural district in the western province of Alberta where Conservatives dominate — offered to step down so Poilievre could run for his seat. Results posted by Elections Canada showed Poilievre taking 80.4 percent of the vote, trouncing his nearest rival, an independent candidate who took just 9.9 percent. 'Canada first' In his victory speech, Poilievre vowed to oppose the policies of Carney's government, which he said had sent crime, immigration and inflation 'spiralling out of control.' 'I am grateful that I will have the chance to be (your) humble servant, to fight every day and in every way for the people in this region,' he said in a video of the address posted on X. 'We'll put Canada first,' he said to cheers and applause in front of a giant national flag. Carney congratulated his rival. 'Working together, Canada's new government will keep building a stronger future for all,' he said on X. Elections Canada was forced to use a special ballot after a protest group seeking electoral reform successfully nominated a dizzying 214 candidates for the vote. Voters had to write the name of their preferred candidate on their ballot, not tick a box, to help people find the correct name in the enormous list. Experts say Poilievre, 46, may struggle to rebuild momentum in a political arena heavily shaped by Trump. Some voters still view Poilievre as a Trump-aligned figure, a major liability in Canada, where attitudes towards Washington have plunged to historic lows since the US president's return to power. — AFP
Kuwait Times
8 hours ago
- Kuwait Times
Intel gets $2bn lifeline from Japan's Softbank
WASHINGTON: Intel is getting a $2 billion capital injection from SoftBank Group in a major vote of confidence for the troubled US chipmaker in the middle of a turnaround. The equity investment, announced by the companies on Monday, is a lifeline for the once-iconic US firm which has struggled to compete after years of management blunders that left it with virtually no foothold in the booming artificial intelligence chip industry. It will make SoftBank a top-10 shareholder of Intel and add to the Japanese tech investor's ambitious bet on semiconductor and AI assets that includes the $500 billion Stargate US datacenter project. SoftBank also held talks with Intel on buying its contract chipmaking business ahead of the investment announcement, the Financial Times reported on Tuesday, citing multiple people with knowledge of the talks. Intel has invested billions of dollars in setting up a contract manufacturing business that has struggled to compete with Taiwan's TSMC and barely attracted external customers. 'SoftBank's investment helps, but it is not what is going to move the dial for Intel,' said Amir Anvarzadeh, Japan equity strategist at Asymmetric Advisors. 'It's more to maintain this very good relationship he has with Trump,' he said, referring to SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son. The deal follows media reports last week that the US government may buy a stake in Intel, after a meeting between new CEO Lip-Bu Tan and President Donald Trump that was sparked by the President's demand for Tan's resignation over his ties to Chinese firms. It also comes as Tokyo pledged a $550 billion investment package into the US last month as part of a trade deal with Washington. The Intel investment is not currently part of that package, a Japanese government source with knowledge of the negotiations said. SoftBank's decision to invest in Intel is not connected to Trump, a person familiar with the matter told Reuters. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment. 'This strategic investment reflects our belief that advanced semiconductor manufacturing and supply will further expand in the United States, with Intel playing a critical role,' Son said in a statement. It will pay $23 per Intel share, a slight discount to Monday's closing price of $23.66. SoftBank's investment will come via a primary issuance of common stock by Intel, and, based on the US company's market capitalization at close of trading on Monday, represent an equity stake of just under 2 percent, an Intel spokesperson said. The Japanese company would become the sixth largest investor in Intel, according to LSEG data. SoftBank shares closed down 4 percent on Tuesday following the announcement, while Intel surged 6.6 percent in US premarket trading. The Japanese company will only take an equity stake in Intel and will neither seek a board seat nor commit to buying Intel's chips, the person familiar with the matter said. Intel has struggled financially and recorded an annual loss of $18.8 billion in 2024, its first such loss since 1986, as it grapples with multiple challenges. Its longtime rival AMD has been gaining share in Intel's mainstay personal computer and server semiconductor markets, while its ambitious and costly plan for a chip contracting business has failed to take off. The company is now considering a significant change to its contract chip manufacturing business to win major customers, Reuters reported last month, in a potentially expensive shift from its previous strategies. SoftBank's Son held talks with Tan since his appointment as Intel CEO in March to discuss a potential deal, according to the FT's Tuesday report. They discussed a wide range of outcomes, including joint ventures with third parties or a minority investment similar to Monday's announcement, according to the report. The $2 billion investment did not preclude a bigger deal over Intel's foundry business in the future, the report said. SoftBank and Intel did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment on the report. 'Intel's dual role as designer and manufacturer/fabricator uniquely positions it as potentially the best platform in the US to compete with TSMC,' said Charu Chanana, chief investment strategist at Saxo. Bloomberg News reported earlier on Monday that the US government is in talks to take a 10 percent stake in Intel. SoftBank declined to provide more details on the Intel investment when asked to comment by Reuters. Tan, a chip industry veteran who also served as a SoftBank board member before quitting in 2022, thanked Son for 'the confidence he has placed in Intel with this investment.' The Intel funding is the latest in the Japanese company's run of mammoth investment announcements in 2025, which include committing $30 billion to ChatGPT maker OpenAI as well as leading the financing for Stargate. – Reuters
