Published Time: 08-19-2025, 15:00

Former President Donald Trump has pledged new changes to how U.S. elections are conducted, including banning mail voting and voting machines. Constitutional experts note that the president alone lacks authority to implement these reforms, which fall under state and congressional jurisdiction.

Trump’s Latest Election Announcement

On Monday, Donald Trump used his social media platform to promise sweeping changes to U.S. elections ahead of the 2026 midterms. He claimed that mail voting and electronic voting machines are vulnerable to fraud, despite widespread evidence showing that voting fraud in the U.S. is extremely rare.

Mail voting, for example, accounts for roughly one-third of ballots nationwide and remains a secure method used successfully in multiple Republican-leaning states, including Arizona, Florida, and Utah. Voting machines, meanwhile, are employed in nearly all of the country’s thousands of election jurisdictions and were instrumental in facilitating both Trump’s 2024 win and the Republican gains in Congress.

Trump framed his latest post as a precursor to a new executive order aimed at ensuring what he described as “honest” elections. This follows a previous executive order requiring proof of citizenship before voter registration, which faced legal challenges in multiple states.

Claims and Misconceptions

In his Monday post, Trump repeated several long-debunked claims about the integrity of U.S. elections. He alleged “massive fraud” linked to mail-in voting and described voting machines as unnecessarily expensive compared to “Watermark Paper,” a ballot-marking system promoted by some conspiracy theorists. Election experts note that watermarks cannot tally votes, and most U.S. voters already cast ballots on paper, creating an auditable record for verification.

Trump also suggested that states are “agents” of the federal government in counting votes and must follow the president’s directives. Constitutional scholars say this is incorrect. The U.S. Constitution delegates the conduct of elections primarily to the states and local jurisdictions, with Congress empowered only to establish rules for federal elections.

Rick Hasen, an election law professor at UCLA, emphasized: “The president has very limited to zero authority over things related to the conduct of elections.”

How U.S. Elections Are Managed

Unlike in many countries, U.S. elections are decentralized. Each state organizes its own elections, often delegating authority to counties, cities, or townships. Election officials estimate there are roughly 10,000 jurisdictions nationwide, each with varying ballots that may include federal, state, and local races.

This structure allows for flexibility but complicates comparisons with countries like France, where a single, hand-counted ballot is used nationwide for presidential elections. In the U.S., multiple races on a single ballot require distinct procedures and tabulation systems.

Congress can enact legislation affecting federal elections, but it cannot mandate how states manage local elections. Courts have consistently ruled against presidential attempts to control election operations, including prior executive orders issued by Trump.

Legal and Political Constraints

Trump’s past executive actions targeting election procedures faced immediate legal challenges. States such as Washington and Oregon filed lawsuits to maintain their mail-in voting deadlines, arguing that presidential directives cannot override state election law. Judges in federal courts have largely agreed, blocking measures that sought to change ballot receipt or postmark rules.

Even with a Republican-controlled Congress, proposed federal restrictions on voting machines or mail ballots are unlikely to pass easily. Democratic opposition and the potential for Senate filibusters present significant legislative barriers.

Moreover, mail voting retains broad bipartisan support. It enables overseas military personnel and voters in multiple states to cast ballots safely and efficiently. Eliminating mail voting nationwide could disenfranchise thousands of voters, including some who support Republican candidates.

Broader Implications

Trump’s Monday statements underscore his continuing focus on reshaping U.S. election processes, even where his authority is limited. Constitutional experts caution that such rhetoric could lay the groundwork for attempts to influence elections indirectly.

“These kinds of claims could provide a kind of excuse for him to try to meddle,” Hasen said. “Very concerned about that.”

While the president can advocate for policy changes or lobby Congress, the legal reality remains that the power to establish or modify election procedures rests with states and legislative bodies, not the executive branch.

Source: AP News – Trump vows to change how elections are run. The US Constitution doesn’t give him that power

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DENVER — MyPillow CEO and prominent election conspiracy theorist Mike Lindell has been ordered to pay $2.3 million in damages after a Colorado jury found he defamed a former Dominion Voting Systems employee in the aftermath of the 2020 presidential election.

The verdict, delivered Monday, marks another blow to the election denial movement that has fueled threats and harassment against election workers across the country.

At the heart of the case was Eric Coomer, Dominion’s former director of security and product strategy, who became a central figure in right-wing conspiracy theories falsely claiming the 2020 election was stolen. Lindell accused Coomer of committing treason — a claim the jury found defamatory.

What the Jury Decided

Jurors determined that two statements Lindell made about Coomer were defamatory, though they dismissed eight others. Lindell and his media platform Frankspeech — formerly known by the same name — were found jointly liable. While the damages awarded were far less than the $62.7 million Coomer sought, Coomer’s legal team hopes it sends a strong message about accountability.

“This is hurting democracy,” said Coomer’s attorney, Charles Cain, during closing arguments. “It’s misinformation. It’s not been vetted and it needs to stop.”

Lindell Vows to Appeal — and Keep Talking

Lindell, who continues to falsely claim the 2020 election was rigged, said he plans to appeal. He also made clear he has no intention of stopping his crusade against electronic voting machines.

“I will not stop talking until we don’t have voting machines in this country,” said Lindell, who favors a return to paper ballots counted by hand. He did not, however, present any expert testimony during the trial to support his claims.

Lindell claimed he’s lost nearly his entire fortune — going from being worth $60 million to being $10 million in debt — because of his activism. “I went to trial to draw attention to election integrity,” he said.

Coomer: “My Life Was Destroyed”

During the two-week trial, Coomer described how conspiracy theories turned his life upside down. He said he received death threats, lost his job, and continues to live in fear. Lindell, he said, was among the loudest voices pushing falsehoods that left lasting scars.

One moment stood out in particular: a May 2021 statement in which Lindell said what Coomer had allegedly done was “treason.” That comment, Coomer testified, was especially devastating.

Coomer’s lawyers argued that Lindell either knew the accusations were lies or recklessly spread them without verifying the truth. They pointed to Lindell’s failure to provide any credible evidence and his reliance on discredited sources — including a Colorado podcaster who claimed to have overheard a call from “Eric at Dominion” threatening to stop Trump from winning.

Lindell later said he only learned about that podcast account during the trial.

Defamation or Free Speech?

Lindell’s legal team pushed back, insisting the case was about First Amendment rights and that elections are a matter of public concern. They said Coomer’s reputation was already damaged due to controversial Facebook posts he made before Lindell ever mentioned him — posts Coomer admitted were “hyperbolic” and a mistake.

Lindell denied knowingly making false statements and said he routinely calls people “traitors.” But Coomer’s attorneys argued that such language isn’t protected when it accuses someone of a specific crime like treason, especially with no evidence.

A Pattern of False Claims

Dominion Voting Systems has been at the center of numerous falsehoods pushed by allies of Donald Trump, who continues to insist the 2020 election was stolen. The company previously secured a $787 million settlement from Fox News for spreading similar lies and has ongoing litigation against Newsmax, which apologized to Coomer in 2021.

Multiple audits, recounts, and investigations — including by Trump’s own Justice Department — have consistently affirmed Joe Biden’s win and found no evidence of widespread fraud.

Lindell, meanwhile, continues to cite questionable sources, including the HBO documentary Kill Chain and claims from Trump’s former national security adviser Michael Flynn, as reasons for his beliefs.

Bottom Line:

Mike Lindell’s defamation loss is the latest chapter in a long-running saga of election denialism. While the damage award was smaller than expected, the case underscores a growing legal pushback against those who spread false and dangerous claims that undermine public trust in democracy.

Source: AP News – Jury finds MyPillow founder defamed former employee for a leading voting equipment company

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ATLANTA — President Donald Trump’s recent executive order on U.S. elections includes a surprising detail that could shake up how votes are counted: it calls for banning ballots with barcodes or QR codes.

While this might sound technical, it could have a major impact. Hundreds of counties in 19 states use voting machines that print ballots with these codes. In fact, three states—Georgia, South Carolina, and Delaware—use such machines statewide.

The controversy around barcode ballots isn’t new. Some computer scientists, Democrats, and election experts have raised concerns about these systems. But it’s the conspiracy theorists—pushing baseless claims about the 2020 election—that have been the loudest critics. Trump’s order says the move is meant “to protect election integrity.”

Even some election officials who trust the security of these systems agree it might be time for a change because many voters simply don’t trust ballots with codes.

Colorado’s Secretary of State, Democrat Jena Griswold, stopped using ballots with QR codes in 2019 to boost voter confidence. Amanda Gonzalez, elections clerk in Colorado’s Jefferson County, supports that decision—even if she doesn’t back Trump’s order.

“We want elections that are free, fair, and transparent,” Gonzalez said. “Eliminating confusion is key.”

Why Barcodes on Ballots Became a Target

Most voters mark their choices on paper ballots, which are then scanned by machines to count votes. But some systems use touchscreens to generate a paper record with a barcode or QR code. The machine reads that code to tally votes.

Election officials say these systems are secure and undergo regular testing to ensure votes match the paper record. Still, conspiracy theories have singled out barcode ballots as suspicious.

“It’s a problem that’s been blown out of proportion,” said Lawrence Norden of the Brennan Center for Justice. “People who don’t understand the technology easily fall for misinformation.”

The conspiracy theories grew louder after a University of Michigan computer scientist testified in a legal battle over Georgia’s voting system. He said attackers could manipulate QR codes and install malware. But no evidence shows this actually happened.

Georgia’s Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, a Republican, has defended the system. A judge acknowledged some concerns but allowed the machines to continue being used.

Can Trump’s Order Actually Ban Barcode Ballots?

The executive order directs the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) to prohibit ballots with barcodes or QR codes. But the EAC only sets voluntary guidelines, and not all states follow them.

Lawsuits are challenging the order, arguing Trump lacks authority over the independent commission. Meanwhile, the EAC’s current guidelines say ballots with barcodes must also include a printed list of voter selections so they can be verified.

The order exempts voting systems for people with disabilities but does not provide federal funding to help states switch to other machines.

Pamela Smith, president of Verified Voting, said vendors are already moving away from barcodes, but change will take time.

Counties Face Big Costs and Decisions

Election officials in smaller counties worry about the cost and time needed to replace barcode-based equipment.

Kim Dennison, Benton County, Arkansas election coordinator, said updating the system could cost $400,000 and take up to a year. Despite the controversy, she fully trusts her equipment’s accuracy.

In Pennsylvania’s Luzerne County, barcode voting machines will be used in the upcoming primary, but officials plan a software update to remove the codes before November.

Los Angeles County—the nation’s most populous—uses a $140 million voting system with QR codes that meets or exceeds federal standards. Its election chief, Dean Logan, said audits have confirmed its accuracy, and changing the system would be expensive and time-consuming.

Georgia: A High-Stakes Battle Over QR Codes

Georgia, a critical battleground state, uses the same QR code system statewide and is at the center of the controversy.

Marilyn Marks, executive director of the Coalition for Good Governance, a plaintiff in lawsuits over the system, says the federal commission should stop certifying machines with barcodes. But her group has not taken a position on Trump’s order.

Georgia’s Republican-controlled legislature passed a law banning QR codes but did not allocate funds to replace the machines—a costly switch estimated at $66 million.

Republicans want to wait until the current voting system contract expires in 2028, but the ban is set to take effect next year. State Rep. Victor Anderson warned, “There’s no realistic way to prevent the train wreck that’s coming.”

What This Means Going Forward

Trump’s order is part of a broader push to overhaul elections with an emphasis on preventing fraud, even as evidence shows no widespread issues with barcode ballots.

Experts say this debate highlights a key challenge: restoring voter trust while balancing security, cost, and practicality.

As election technology evolves, voters and officials alike will need clear communication and transparent processes to ensure confidence in the results—whether ballots have barcodes or not.

Source: AP News – Trump order targets barcodes on ballots. They’ve long been a source of misinformation

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