Trump's Attempt to Ban Mail-In Voting: Can He Actually Do It?
Introduction
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, President Trump has been vocal about his opposition to mail-in ballots. He has even gone as far as stating that they are "corrupt" and prone to voter fraud. Now, he has expressed his desire to lead a movement to ban mail-in voting altogether. But can he actually do that?
Potential Limitations
While the president does have some control over the federal election process, it is ultimately up to individual states to decide whether or not they allow mail-in voting. In fact, five states already conduct all their elections through mail-in ballots. Additionally, many states have already expanded their mail-in voting options due to the pandemic, making it difficult for Trump to push for a complete ban.
Consequences of a Ban
If the president were to somehow successfully ban mail-in voting, it could potentially disenfranchise millions of voters, especially those who are at higher risk for COVID-19 and may not feel comfortable voting in person. It could also cause chaos and confusion in the already tumultuous election process. It is also worth considering that mail-in voting has been used successfully in past elections and has been shown to increase voter turnout.
