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Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Stefanik joins Trump's call for an end to voting by mail
Aug. 19—President Donald J. Trump and Rep. Elise M. Stefanik want to end the practice of voting by mail and the use of digital counting machines, both claiming without evidence that the practices are insecure and subject to significant fraud. "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," Trump said in a lengthy post. The president, who has long raised unfounded conspiracies that the 2020 election was fraudulently influenced to elect his opponent Joseph R. Biden, said that the U.S. is the only country in the world to use voting by mail, which is not true, and said he would sign an executive order aimed at ending the practice of mail-in voting before the 2026 midterm elections. Trump claimed that the states have to serve as "agents" of the federal government in vote counting efforts, following federal guidelines when they are set. "I, AND THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, WILL FIGHT LIKE HELL TO BRING HONESTY AND INTEGRITY BACK TO OUR ELECTIONS," Trump said, using all-capital letters. "THE MAIL-IN BALLOT HOAX, USING VOTING MACHINES THAT ARE A COMPLETE AND TOTAL DISASTER, MUST END, NOW!" Stefanik, R-Schuylerville, a longtime Trump ally, added her voice in support of that effort quickly after. She shared a screenshot of the Truth Social post and added her own comments from her personal X, formerly Twitter, account. "I stand strong with (Donald Trump) in his mission to make elections safe and secure," Stefanik said. "New York's elections have well-documented issues across the board, the outdated voter rolls and the lack of ballot integrity on the mass unregulated mail-in ballots. It must be fixed." Stefanik has taken issue with mail-in balloting in New York and nationally for years. She sought to overturn the election results from multiple U.S. states in 2021 ahead of Biden's inauguration because they had moved to expand mail-in voting. Then, the congresswoman argued that states had improperly opened up mail-in voting in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, but her efforts to overturn individual state results were unsuccessful. Stefanik was also prominent in killing a late 2021 ballot measure that would have expanded mail-in voting in New York, an effort Democrats supported that ultimately did not get support from a majority of voters. When the state moved to expand mail-in voting another way, Stefanik took it to court in a lawsuit that was ultimately tossed. In New York and other states that allow people to vote by mail, information is checked against existing voter rolls and ballots are verified by signature-matching their outer envelopes to the signature the board of elections has on file for the voter. The check process is largely the same for standard mail-in ballots and absentee ballots, which are also sent by mail but can only be used by people who are physically incapable of making it to the polls. In the decades New York has accepted absentee ballots, and the few years the state has accepted wider mail-in ballots, no evidence of significant fraud has been found. Stefanik, unlike Trump, has not vocally opposed the use of digital counting machines for ballots cast in person. Those machines grew in popularity throughout the 2010s, and election experts maintain they are not widely subject to hacking or security vulnerabilities. In New York, election officials audit their machines each year. In most states that use digital voting machines including New York, paper ballots marked by the voter remain available for a hand count in all cases. Stefanik did back another policy, not explicitly mentioned by Trump in his Tuesday post, to require photo ID for people to cast their votes. "You have to show ID to buy alcohol, rent an apartment, purchase tobacco products, apply for welfare, fly on a plane and rent a car," Stefanik said. "It's common sense to require a photo ID to vote." Stefanik's position garnered the attention of Gov. Kathleen C. Hochul, who responded on social media. Stefanik is gearing up to potentially run against Hochul next year, and the two politicians have started paying much closer attention to one another in recent weeks. "Our service embers risk their lives abroad and vote by mail," Hochul said. "Seniors rely on vote-by-mail. Students vote by mail to make their voices heard. Elise Stefanik wants to silence them. Shameful."
Time Magazine
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time Magazine
Trump Says Only U.S. Votes by Mail. Here Are the Facts
President Donald Trump said he will "get rid of" mail-in ballots and voting machines before the 2026 midterm elections—and he's spreading misinformation on social media about the voting methods ahead of time. '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,' Trump posted on Truth Social Monday morning, adding that he will sign an Executive Order eliminating them before the 2026 election. 'We are now the only Country in the World that uses Mail-In Voting. All others gave it up because of the MASSIVE VOTER FRAUD ENCOUNTERED.' Trump reiterated those claims during an Oval Office meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the White House on Monday, once again dubbing it 'corrupt' to reporters. Absentee voting and vote-by-mail allow people to send in their ballots via the postal service. Not all states allow it, and the laws vary in each state that does. Some states permit universal mail-in voting, for example, where anyone can vote by mail for any reason. Others allow it in specific circumstances. Lots of other countries vote by mail Despite what Trump claims, the United States is not the only country that utilizes mail-in ballots. In fact, multiple other countries do, including Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Germany. The International Institute for Democracy & Electoral Assistance (IDEA), an intergovernmental organization that works to protect democratic institutions, found that 34 countries allow postal voting—12 of which allow it for all voters, and 22 of which allow it for some voters. IDEA found that the COVID-19 pandemic created an incentive for these countries to upscale their mail-in ballot infrastructure for public health reasons, but most have kept these avenues open for citizens. Although Trump says he will use Executive Order powers to end the practice, the U.S. Constitution directs state legislatures to determine the "times, places and manner" of holding elections, which is part of the reason why only some states have vote-by-mail practices, and each state with vote-by-mail has different requirements. There's no evidence that mail voting is corrupt Trump's post continued by reviving well-worn rhetoric—that mail-in voting is used by his opponents, Democrats, for corrupt purposes, despite no evidence to support this claim. 'Democrats are virtually Unelectable without using this completely disproven Mail-In SCAM. ELECTIONS CAN NEVER BE HONEST WITH MAIL IN BALLOTS/VOTING, and everybody, IN PARTICULAR THE DEMOCRATS, KNOWS THIS,' Trump said. 'I, AND THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, WILL FIGHT LIKE HELL TO BRING HONESTY AND INTEGRITY BACK TO OUR ELECTIONS.' This is not the first time Trump has attacked mail-in ballots as a form of voting. During the 2020 election—which Trump lost to former President Joe Biden—Trump heavily attacked the use of mail-in ballots and suggested, without evidence, that mail voting would lead to 'massive fraud, and abuse,' and discredited physical ballot drop boxes. He also threatened to deploy law enforcement to polling places on Election Day. Trump's rhetoric made it seem that mail-in ballots were a Democratic plot and the election would be 'rigged' as a result. When he lost the 2020 election, Trump was quick to blame mail-in ballots, drop boxes, and voting machines, claiming that the system was corrupt. Though research shows that partisan rhetoric made voting by mail a more 'Democrat' thing to do in 2020 and 2022, experts—including the Brennan Center for Justice, the Bipartisan Policy Center, and the Center for Election Innovation and Research—have debunked Trump's claims and found that vote-by-mail methods only expand voting options for voters, and that the 2020 election was not marred by corruption. In the 2024 election, the U.S. Election Assistance Commission found that though mail-in ballots were not quite as popular as during the COVID-19 pandemic, they still accounted for nearly a third of ballots cast. And, in part motivated by Trump's claims of fraud, at least 19 states have passed new mail voting restrictions in place to make the practice more difficult since 2020, according to the Brennan Center for Justice.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
MAGA rejoices as Trump proposes shocking threat
MAGA world is celebrating a new proposal from President Donald Trump. Trump announced early Monday that he would lead a 'movement' to remove mail-in ballots and what he called 'highly 'inaccurate'' and 'Seriously Controversial' voting machines through an executive order ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. He did not provide details of a potential order or a timeline. 'ELECTIONS CAN NEVER BE HONEST WITH MAIL IN BALLOTS/VOTING, and everybody, IN PARTICULAR THE DEMOCRATS, KNOWS THIS. I, AND THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, WILL FIGHT LIKE HELL TO BRING HONESTY AND INTEGRITY BACK TO OUR ELECTIONS,' Trump wrote in a lengthy post on his Truth Social platform. 'THE MAIL-IN BALLOT HOAX, USING VOTING MACHINES THAT ARE A COMPLETE AND TOTAL DISASTER, MUST END, NOW!!!' he added. While arguing that paper ballots are 'faster' and leave 'NO DOUBT,' he provided no evidence to support his allegations of widespread problems with voting machines. In his post, he also claimed that states are 'merely an 'agent'' for the federal government. Under the Constitution, state governments are responsible for setting the time, place and manner of holding federal elections, while Congress sets regulations. His announcement was immediately met with support from his base. 'ELECTION INTEGRiTY: Trump is right, it is time to eliminate mail-in ballots. It is time,' a conservative news account wrote. Gunther Eagleman, a social media personality, said that 'We NEED secure election laws passed! No more mail in ballots!' Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) also weighed in: 'Elections have been stolen for decades with this practice that is ripe for fraud. Save America by saving our elections!!!' A popular account with the moniker 'johnny maga' added a fire emoji. Other social media users were more critical. Some pointed to Trump's interview with Fox News following his summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, in which he claimed that the Russian leader said that the U.S. election was 'rigged' due to mail-in voting. 'It's impossible to have mail in voting and have honest elections,' Trump said that Putin told him. 'And he said that to me because we talked about 2020. He said, 'You won that election by so much.'' Alexander Vindman, the National Security Council's former director of European affairs, posted: 'This is a perfect example of an effective influence campaign... I don't think many people understand how easy it is to puppeteer Trump.' Ron Filipkowski, the editor-in-chief of Medias Touch, wrote that his post is 'Phase 3 of Trump's attempt to rig the midterms for an autocratic takeover of the Republic.' 'Trump must have had a bad night. Spewing lies about elections. Again. Every American citizen has a right to vote, Each state runs its own election. We don't owe the president. It's the president who owes us a duty to take care that the laws are faithfully executed,' former U.S. Attorney Joyce Vance said. Trump and other Republican lawmakers and allies have long made claims, without providing evidence, that the president's 2020 election loss to former President Joe Biden was marked by voter fraud. In April, a federal judge temporarily blocked an executive order that Trump had signed the month prior, which would require a first-of-its-kind demand for birthright citizenship to vote. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to
Fox News
3 days ago
- Politics
- Fox News
Trump announces he'll helm movement to eliminate mail-in voting and voting machines: 'FIGHT LIKE HELL'
Print Close By Alex Nitzberg Published August 18, 2025 President Donald Trump declared that he will spearhead a push to eliminate the use of mail-in voting and voting machines in U.S. elections. In a lengthy Truth Social post on Monday, President Trump asserted, "I am going to lead a movement to get rid of MAIL-IN BALLOTS" as well as "Seriously Controversial VOTING MACHINES." He said he would sign an executive order in advance of the 2026 midterm elections. "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," he claimed. Trump claimed that nixing the use of mail-in balloting is necessary to ensure elections are on the level, declaring that he and the GOP will battle to restore election integrity. "ELECTIONS CAN NEVER BE HONEST WITH MAIL IN BALLOTS/VOTING, and everybody, IN PARTICULAR THE DEMOCRATS, KNOWS THIS. I, AND THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, WILL FIGHT LIKE HELL TO BRING HONESTY AND INTEGRITY BACK TO OUR ELECTIONS. THE MAIL-IN BALLOT HOAX, USING VOTING MACHINES THAT ARE A COMPLETE AND TOTAL DISASTER, MUST END, NOW!!!" he exclaimed. "REMEMBER, WITHOUT FAIR AND HONEST ELECTIONS, AND STRONG AND POWERFUL BORDERS, YOU DON'T HAVE EVEN A SEMBLANCE OF A COUNTRY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER!!!" the president asserted. GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene heartily agreed with the president's push to nix mail-in voting. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP "I strongly support President Trump in ending mail in voting!! Elections have been stolen for decades with this practice that is ripe for fraud. Save America by saving our elections!!!" Greene declared in a post on X. Print Close URL
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Lawmakers in US Congress react to Zelenskiy-Trump Oval Office clash
(Reuters) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and U.S. President Donald Trump traded blows at a White House meeting that ended in disaster on Friday, prompting an outpouring of reaction from members of Congress and other American public figures. SENATOR LINDSEY GRAHAM OF TRUMP'S REPUBLICAN PARTY, SPEAKING TO REPORTERS: "What I saw in the Oval Office was disrespectful and I don't know if we can ever do business with Zelenskiy again." See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. "He either needs to resign and send somebody over that we can do business with, or he needs to change." REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE DON BACON ON X "Some want to whitewash the truth, but we cannot ignore the truth. Russia is at fault for this war." REPUBLICAN SENATOR BILL HAGERTY, WHO WAS U.S. AMBASSADOR TO JAPAN DURING TRUMP'S FIRST TERM, ON X "The United States of America will no longer be taken for granted. The contrast between the last four years and now could not be more clear. Thank you, Mr. President." REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE RALPH NORMAN ON X "THIS is strong leadership that is ensuring we put the American people FIRST. Thank you @realDonaldTrump and @JDVance for standing up for our nation." HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES DEMOCRATIC LEADER HAKEEM JEFFRIES IN A STATEMENT "President Trump and his administration continue to embarrass America on the world stage. Today's White House meeting with the President of Ukraine was appalling and will only serve to further embolden Vladimir Putin, a brutal dictator. The United States must not reward Russian aggression and continue to appease Putin. "For three years, President Zelensky and the Ukrainian people have stood on the side of democracy, freedom and truth. Their success is in the national security interests of the United States. We should stand with Ukraine until victory is won." DEMOCRATIC SENATOR JACK REED, RANKING MEMBER OF THE SENATE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE, IN A STATEMENT 'Today's spectacle in the Oval Office was a political ambush and a shameful failure of American leadership. 'President Zelenskyy and the people of Ukraine are fighting for their very lives and existence. Unlike Donald Trump or JD Vance, I have traveled to Ukraine and seen firsthand the death and destruction wrought by Vladimir Putin against innocent people. To mock Ukraine and our allies is a travesty that only benefits (Russian President Vladimir) Putin." 'Furthermore, today's cruel and callous display does great harm to U.S. standing in the world. Trump and Vance are communicating to the world that the United States is not to be trusted. Adversaries and allies alike will take note."
