The Proposal Hits Capitol Hill
Representative Laurel Lee plans to introduce legislation on Thursday requiring mail ballots to be received by Election Day. Senator Ashley Moody will lead the matching bill in the Senate. This move could impact millions of Americans who currently vote by mail. The proposal aims to fix the current system where ballots arrive after the vote ends. Lee told Fox News Digital that this change is a proven method for keeping elections organized.
From 2019 through May 2022, Lee held the position of Florida’s secretary of state. She argues that Florida proves this system works without denying anyone the right to vote. Officials just need to tell voters that their ballot must be received by the deadline. “They can do that just as easy as they can get it postmarked by Election Day,” Lee said. The goal is to ensure timely results for the entire country.
Clarifying the Voting Rules
Some Republicans worry this bill limits voting options in states where mail voting is popular. Lee insists the bill does not stop people from using the mail to vote. She explained that the measure only sets a clear deadline for when ballots must arrive. “One thing that’s important to understand about this bill is that it doesn’t limit voting by mail,” she said. The bill merely informs states that mail voting ballots must arrive by Election Day if such voting is permitted.
Trump issued an executive order in March 2025 that this legislation follows. That order also set an Election Day deadline for receiving mail-in ballots. The new bill seeks to codify this rule into law for all states. Lee stated that the bill keeps all existing voting options on the table for states to use. “So it still keeps all of those options that states have chosen to implement on the table for them,” she said. The only real change is the deadline for receipt.
Legal Battles and Next Steps
A separate Trump order faces a legal fight involving over 20 states. New hurdles for the Postal Service to verify citizenship before sending ballots would be created by that order. It would also require specific stationery for federal election mail. Supporters say this rule boosts voter confidence in the election process. Opponents claim it would do the opposite by causing confusion among voters.
The Supreme Court recently ruled on mail-in ballots received after Election Day. This ruling supports the idea that deadlines matter for election integrity. The proposed bill in Congress aims to make this standard clear nationwide. If passed, the law would affect nearly a third of all American voters. The midterms are approaching, and the debate over how to count votes continues. Lee believes clear rules help everyone understand the process better.
