Proposed Legislation Aims to Amend Voting Mail Deadlines

The debate over voting methods in the United States is intensifying with new legislative proposals emerging on Capitol Hill. Two supporters of former President Donald Trump are pushing for changes they claim will reinforce trust in U.S. elections.

Legislative Proposals in Congress

Rep. Laurel Lee, a Republican from Florida, intends to introduce a bill that requires absentee and mail-in ballots to be received by election officials by the end of Election Day. This initiative is mirrored in the Senate by Sen. Ashley Moody, also a Republican from Florida.

“This has been a practice in Florida for many years, and it serves as an effective method to keep elections organized and ensure timely results,” Lee stated in an interview with Fox News Digital.

The Florida Experience

Lee, who served as Florida’s secretary of state until May 2022, emphasized the state’s successful history with this system. She argued it does not hinder voters’ rights, as long as they are informed about the deadlines and guidelines.

“Our duty as elected officials is to ensure voters are aware of procedures like the Election Day receipt deadline for ballots,” Lee said. “Meeting this deadline is as feasible as ensuring a ballot is postmarked by Election Day.”

Influence of Executive Actions

This legislative initiative follows an executive order from Trump set in March 2025, which established an Election Day deadline for receiving mail-in ballots. If Congress passes this legislation, it could substantially affect the nearly one-third of American voters who vote by mail.

The executive order has sparked contention, as some Republicans in mail-voting-friendly states worry about altering the current system so close to elections.

Understanding Amendments to Mail-In Voting

Lee’s proposal insists that voting by mail remains unrestricted; states can continue with their designated systems. However, there is a stipulation that ballots should arrive by Election Day.

Meanwhile, a different Trump directive is causing legal disputes between the administration and more than 20 states. This order would demand the U.S. Postal Service and other agencies to verify citizenship proof before delivering ballots and specify the use of designated stationery for federal election mail.

Advocates believe this rule will boost voter confidence, yet detractors argue it might complicate the current system.