Senator Mike Lee Links Mail-In Voting to Fraud, Advocates In-Person ID for Election Trust

Senator Mike Lee (R-Utah) has voiced strong concerns regarding mail-in voting, asserting that it "opens the door to fraud & undermines trust in our elections." In a recent tweet, the senator advocated for in-person voting with identification, stating it "ensures security & transparency." This position aligns with a broader push by some Republican figures to reform election processes, emphasizing measures aimed at enhancing perceived security.

The senator's stance echoes former President Donald Trump's recent calls to eliminate mail-in ballots nationwide. Lee stated to the Deseret News that "The President is correct that universal mail-in voting is rife with opportunities for interference, errors, and fraud." He further suggested that public confidence could be restored by limiting mail-in ballots to special cases, such as for overseas service members, and requiring most citizens to vote in person with proof of identity and citizenship.

Despite Lee's advocacy, his home state of Utah has historically been a proponent of mail-in voting, with 96.7% of voters utilizing the method in the 2024 primary election. However, recent state legislation, set to take effect in 2029, will require voters to opt-in for mail-in ballots every eight years, moving away from the previous universal mail-out system. This change reflects a national trend of states reassessing their voting methods.

Lee has also championed legislative efforts like the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, which would mandate proof of citizenship for voter registration. While proponents argue such measures are crucial for election integrity, election experts have cautioned that these bills could inadvertently create barriers to voting for eligible citizens and perpetuate misinformation regarding election security.

Election officials and experts, including Utah Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson, defend the security of existing mail-in voting systems, emphasizing states' constitutional right to manage their own elections. Henderson stated, "The constitutional right of individual states to choose the manner in which they conduct secure elections is a fundamental strength of our system." Research indicates that instances of widespread mail-in voter fraud are rare, with safeguards in place to prevent such occurrences.