NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — President Donald Trump has once again made elections a central focus, this time pushing to eliminate mail-in ballots and voting machines.

Trump took to Truth Social, saying he would "lead a movement" to ban mail-in ballots. He claimed, without providing evidence, that they open the door to voter fraud. He has since called on Republicans to rally behind him and support a shift to paper ballots only.

"We want our elections to be fair and for people that are qualified to be able to vote," Sen. Joey Hensley (R-Hohenwald) said.

"Tennessee ranks first in election integrity because Republicans have fought for accountability and fairness. Mail-in ballots pose a real threat to the security of the voting process by removing transparency and creating additional opportunities for fraud. I applaud President Trump for prioritizing election integrity. Republicans are committed to keeping the Volunteer State's elections the most secure in the nation because all eligible Tennesseans deserve to have their voices heard. If an Executive Order is issued dealing with absentee balloting and paper/optical scan voting, we are awaiting to review for final comment."

Statement from Rep. Tim Rudd (R-Murfreesboro)

Hensley agrees.

"Some states mail an absentee ballot to every registered voter, and any honest person can say that's open for fraud and corruption," Hensley said.

However, some Tennessee Democrats said the president's plan would undermine democracy.

"Voting rights are not something to play with," Rep. John Ray Clemmons (D-Nashville), who also serves as the House Democratic Caucus chair, said. "That is the very fabric of our republic."

The U.S. Constitution allows states to set election rules, but Congress can step in.

"First, you would have to see a lot of people who've been defending the system turn their backs on it," Sen. Jeff Yarbro (D-Nashville) said.

In Tennessee, the rules are already strict.

"Tennessee does it correctly. We don't send mail-in ballots to just anybody; you have to have a reason for an absentee ballot," Hensley explained. "Our mail-in ballots all have watermarks on them."

According to ThinkTennessee, a nonpartisan group, this is one of 14 states requiring a qualifying excuse for an absentee ballot, factoring in age, location, illness and a person's job.

"We should be doing everything we can to improve voter turnout," Clemmons said. "Tennessee ranks at the bottom of this country in voter turnout, and that's not an accident. That is the result of a decade of laws that have put hurdles in place to prevent people from voting."

Trump says he would start his push by signing an executive order before the 2026 midterm elections.

"I think people who care about the traditional role of government and, frankly, freedom should have some hesitation," Yarbro said.

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/tennessee-news/tennessee-lawmakers-respond-to-trumps-push-to-eliminate-mail-in-ballots/