Trump Pushes ‘Honest Elections’ Plan, Courts May Block It

United States: US President Donald Trump announced Monday that he plans to sign a new executive order ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. His goal, he said, is to ban mail-in ballots and eliminate voting machines, claiming they are “inaccurate” and “controversial.”

He promised to “lead a movement” for what he calls “honest elections,” but he did not provide proof of his claims.

Why This Matters

• Mail-in voting has been widely used in the US for decades, including by Trump himself in past elections, according to reports by Reuters.
• Voting machines are a standard part of elections in almost every state. Experts say they are secure when managed properly.
• Trump’s push comes after 2020, when he falsely claimed that the election was stolen from him.
• Elections are controlled by states, not the federal government, which means Trump’s executive order may face legal challenges.

Trump’s Arguments

• He said Democrats “cheat at levels never seen before.”
• He warned that states must follow federal orders because they act as “agents” of the government in running elections.
• He also claimed that Russian President Vladimir Putin supports him in ending mail-in voting.

The Bigger Picture

• Trump had already signed a similar executive order in March, but it was blocked by courts after lawsuits from Democrat-led states.
• Legal experts say this new order may also face strong opposition in the courts since elections are run at the state level.
• Despite criticizing mail-in ballots, Trump has used them himself and even advised his supporters to vote by mail in 2024, according to Reuters.

Key Takeaway: Trump is doubling down on his push to change how Americans vote, but the US Constitution gives states — not the president — the power to run elections. His move is likely to spark legal battles, political fights, and more election controversy leading up to 2026.