GOP Stands by Mail-In Voting Despite Trump’s Criticism

The Republican National Committee has stated that it will not defy President Donald Trump on mail-in voting, following reports suggesting otherwise.

“RNC’s mission is to protect the vote and turn out the vote by strengthening voter confidence,” GOP press secretary Kiersten Pels told a reporter. “Our election integrity work has boosted Republican participation by addressing concerns about security, and this cycle we’re again ensuring every ballot is secure and properly counted.”

Recent reports indicate that Republican leaders in three swing states are advocating for expanded mail-in voting despite President Trump’s public criticism of the practice.

“We have to encourage people to embrace mail-in voting and early voting,” Pennsylvania GOP Chair Greg Rothman told a reporter. “That has to be a priority for us in 2026.”

Jim Runestad, a state senator who chairs the Michigan Republican Party, stated: “We’ll be fully engaged in early and absentee voting — we have to be.”

“In Michigan, that’s the law of the land unless we can find a U.S. constitutional override, which I doubt will happen,” he added.

A source familiar with GOP strategy told a reporter that they would encourage voters to use any method available but rejected the idea that they were “leaning-in” to mail-in ballots.

President Trump has repeatedly described mail-in ballots as “corrupt” and part of a “hoax,” claiming the process leads to massive fraud. He has also discussed efforts to eliminate mail-in voting, including potential executive orders to end such ballots and certain voting machines ahead of the 2026 midterms.

Nationwide, many states are proposing or passing laws that tighten rules around mail-in voting or ballot access, though few have outright banned it. Changes often appear as part of broader voting restrictions.

In 2025 alone, dozens of states considered hundreds of bills that would restrict aspects of mail voting, and some laws have already passed in about 10 states that limit mail-in voting procedures.