Recent statements from the Trump administration suggesting that former President Jimmy Carter opposed mail-in voting are inaccurate, according to election experts and statements from Carter himself before his death.






The claims surfaced as the administration promoted new federal voting legislation that would require stricter proof-of-citizenship and photo identification rules ahead of upcoming elections. During public remarks, President Donald Trump and White House officials referenced a 2005 election reform report led by Carter, arguing that the former president believed mail-in ballots were unreliable.

However, a closer review of the report and Carter’s later statements shows that he did not oppose mail-in voting and in fact supported its use.

What Trump officials said

While speaking at a political conference, Trump pointed to the 2005 Commission on Federal Election Reform, which Carter co-chaired with former Secretary of State James Baker, saying the report proved mail-in ballots should not be allowed.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt also cited the report, saying it described absentee ballots as a major source of possible voter fraud.

But experts say those comments leave out important context.

What the report actually found

The 2005 report did say that absentee and mail-in ballots could create opportunities for fraud in certain situations. However, it did not recommend banning them. Instead, it suggested safeguards to make the system more secure and called for additional research on election procedures.

The report proposed rules such as limiting who can handle ballots, improving verification methods, and strengthening protections against registration fraud. It also noted that some states using mail voting had little evidence of widespread abuse.

Carter supported mail voting

Family members and representatives from The Carter Center said the former president supported absentee and mail-in voting for years.

Jason Carter, the former president’s grandson, said that his grandfather even used mail-in ballots himself and believed they were an important way to protect the right to vote.

Jimmy Carter publicly encouraged expanding vote-by-mail options during the 2020 election, saying it could help ensure safe participation, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. He also stated at the time that he personally approved of absentee voting and had used it for several years.

No proof of widespread fraud

Election experts say there is still no evidence that mail-in voting leads to large-scale fraud, even though its use has grown significantly in recent decades.

Data from the U.S. Election Assistance Commission shows that millions of voters from both major political parties continue to use mail ballots. In recent national elections, roughly one-third of voters cast their ballots by mail, a higher percentage than before the pandemic.

Researchers say election systems have improved over time, with better tracking, signature verification, and safeguards that make fraud difficult.

Debate continues over election rules

The issue has become part of a larger political debate over voting laws in the United States. The Trump administration has pushed for stricter identification requirements, saying they are necessary to protect election integrity.

Critics argue that tougher rules could make it harder for some citizens to vote, especially minorities, elderly voters, and people living in rural areas.

The White House defended its statements this week, saying officials were quoting directly from the 2005 report and still believe its warnings about potential fraud remain relevant.

Even so, experts say the report does not support the claim that Jimmy Carter opposed mail-in voting, and that his public statements over the years show the opposite.