The LWV CEO, Celina Stewart, responds to President Trump's vow to eliminate mail-in ballots and voting machines: “Free, fair, and accessible elections are the cornerstone of a healthy democracy. President Trump’s call to eliminate vote-by-mail is a direct attack on Americans’ freedom to vote...and he has no constitutional authority to take this action.  Vote-by-mail is secure, accurate, and trusted by millions of voters — including older adults, military members, rural communities, tribal communities, voters of color, and voters with disabilities. Vote-by-mail has proven to expand voter participation in recent elections. 

"Under our US Constitution, the states have the power to run elections, and only Congress can step in to regulate those elections when needed. This move is yet another overreach by an unpopular president who seeks to silence the public to hold onto power. 

“President Trump’s attacks on voting machines are similarly misleading and dangerous. Voting systems in the US already meet strict standards for security, accuracy, transparency, and accessibility, with paper ballots or audit trails to verify results. Scrapping machines in favor of hand counting would undermine election integrity and efficiency, not strengthen it. The League of Women Voters stands firmly for secure, modern systems that protect every vote and uphold public trust in our democracy. 

“The President should get his facts straight: he does not have the authority to regulate elections, states have strong measures to ensure voting equipment is secure, and many countries successfully utilize vote-by-mail. 

“The League of Women Voters will not stand by while politicians spread lies to limit democratic participation. We will be looking at the forthcoming Executive Order very closely and will use every tool in our toolbox to push back on these threats to our free, fair, and accessible elections. 

 “We will fight to protect vote-by-mail and every method that makes casting a ballot accessible. Our democracy is strong when every eligible voter can make their voice heard, whether at a polling place or through a mail-in ballot.”

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan organization with expertise in voting and elections. Our mission is to empower voters and defend democracy. For more than a century we have stood in the gap when government falls short of its duty. We will valiantly work to protect voters and free, fair, accessible elections.