WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has urged his supporters to consider voting by mail in the upcoming congressional midterm elections, marking a notable shift from his longstanding criticism of the voting method.
Speaking to reporters at the White House on Monday before leaving for a campaign rally in Nebraska, Trump said Republicans could choose between postal ballots and casting their votes in person on November 3.
“They can vote by mail if they want,” Trump said, adding that while he personally preferred voting in person, many Americans wanted the convenience of submitting their ballots remotely.
Trump had also promoted early voting and postal voting in a campaign video released over the weekend, telling Republican voters to participate ahead of Election Day or cast their ballots in person on November 3.
The president’s latest remarks contrast sharply with his position over the past several years. Trump has repeatedly questioned the integrity of mail-in voting and made unsubstantiated allegations that postal ballots contributed to fraud in the 2020 presidential election.
His administration had sought to impose tighter requirements on mail voting before the midterms. However, the US Supreme Court in September refused to permit the Postal Service to implement the proposed restrictions.
Trump’s change in messaging comes as Republicans seek to maintain voter participation in the final phase of the midterm campaign. Some members of the party have previously warned that attacking postal voting could discourage conservative voters, particularly those in rural communities who may have to travel considerable distances to reach polling locations.
The political environment remains challenging for Republicans. A Reuters/Ipsos poll completed Monday showed Trump’s approval rating at 32 per cent, matching the lowest level recorded in September.
The survey also indicated an advantage for Democrats among registered voters. About 44 per cent said they would support Democratic candidates in the midterms, compared with 37 per cent for Republicans. Among independent voters, Democrats held a 37 per cent to 21 per cent lead, while 28 per cent remained undecided.
With voting approaching, Trump’s endorsement of multiple voting options could represent an effort to maximise Republican participation across different voter groups.