Two Republican lawmakers, Rep. Laurel Lee of Florida and Sen. Ashley Moody of Florida, are introducing legislation that would require all mail-in and absentee ballots to be received by election officials by the close of polls on Election Day. This proposal seeks to standardize ballot receipt deadlines nationwide, a measure proponents argue will restore confidence in U.S. elections.
Lee, who previously served as Florida's secretary of state, stated that the bill does not restrict mail-in voting but rather sets a uniform deadline for ballot receipt. "Florida is proof-positive that this works, that it does not deny any voter the right to vote," Lee said in an interview with Fox News Digital. "They can do that just as easy as they can get it postmarked by Election Day."
Lee's legislative proposal, set to be introduced on Thursday, mirrors an executive order issued by President Donald Trump in March 2025 that established an Election Day deadline for the receipt of mail-in ballots. The proposed bill could affect millions of Americans, as approximately one-third of voters use mail-in ballots.
The focus on mail-in ballot deadlines comes amid ongoing political debate surrounding election integrity. While some within the Republican party have expressed concerns about altering existing voting systems, Lee maintains her bill aims for clarity and timely results, citing Florida's system as an effective model.
A separate initiative by the Trump administration concerning mail-in voting has faced legal challenges. That order introduced new procedures for verifying voter citizenship and mandated specific stationery for federal election mail. Supporters of that order contend it enhances voter confidence, while opponents argue it could create logistical complications. MOBILE-FIRST DESIGN SHOWCASES NEWMAIL-IN BALLOT FORGE IN NEW YORK MOBILE-FIRST DESIGN SHOWCASES NEWMAIL-IN BALLOT FORGE IN NEW YORK