Trump Says Eliminating Mail-In Ballots Could Give Republicans “100 Extra Seats”

Another bold forecast by former President Donald Trump has sparked political controversy about mail-in voting. Trump said in a recent interview that eliminating mail-in ballots will give Republicans a bigger congressional majority than redistricting.

On the “Todd Starnes Show,” Trump stated that banning mail-in voting nationwide will boost the GOP’s chances in the 2026 midterms. He said it might give Republicans “at least 100 more seats” in the House. Trump says Democrats can only compete in federal elections with mail-in ballots.

Trump maintained that mail-in voting compromises electoral integrity. We have really corrupt elections. Mail-in ballots are the main issue. If we had genuine elections with in-person voting, the GOP would rule, he said.

Trump Says He Could Have Won California Without Mail-In Voting

Trump even suggested that he may have defeated California Governor Gavin Newsom without mail-in ballots. He repeated his contention that mail-in voting and electronic equipment leave elections subject to fraud and that the system should be made “too big to rig.”

Trump’s latest comments support his longstanding opposition to mail-in votes, despite various state and federal investigations finding no major fraud in the 2020 or 2024 elections. Trump has committed to put mail-in voting eradication at the top of his political agenda.

Election Battlegrounds: Texas and California

Trump’s comments come after Texas Republicans concluded a controversial redistricting plan to add five GOP-leaning congressional seats. Republicans benefit greatly from the move ahead of the 2026 midterms. The maps will be legalized by Governor Greg Abbott.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has undertaken an aggressive counterstrategy to preserve Democratic strength. Newsom wants to add five Democratic-leaning congressional seats. California has many more obstacles than Texas. The state’s independent redistricting panel, passed by voters years ago, requires any modifications to pass both chambers of the Legislature with a two-thirds majority and be put to voters in a special election.

Newsom acknowledged the proposal is risky but said it is vital to resist Trump and GOP leaders in Texas’ redistricting ambitions.

Voting Rules Battle Continues

Trump’s most recent attacks on mail-in voting show that the fight over how to vote is still going on. Democrats claim that mail-in votes are safe, easy to get to, and vital for people to vote. Republicans, on the other hand, say that voting should be harder.

Experts on elections have found that there has been no large-scale fraud in mail-in voting in recent elections. Trump’s claims resonate with his base and have become a rallying cry for Republicans who want to stop mail-in voting in future elections.

Voting techniques and redistricting maps are shaping up to be one of the biggest political battles of the next two years as both parties prepare for the 2026 midterm elections. Trump’s projection of “100 extra seats” may not be accurate, but it shows the strong party division over US elections.

Sources:

• Associated Press

• Texas Legislature Records

• California State Legislature Proceedings

• Public statements from Donald J. Trump

• Statements from California Governor Gavin Newsom