Vermont Defends Mail-In Voting Amid Trump's False Claim That U.S. Stands Alone—But These 10 Countries Say Otherwise
In a social media post on August 18, Trump declared, "We are now the only Country in the World that uses Mail-In Voting."
As President Donald Trump ramps up attacks on mail-in voting, vowing to "lead a movement" to eliminate it ahead of the 2026 midterms, Vermont officials are pushing back, emphasizing the system's security and accessibility in the Green Mountain State. Trump's assertion that the United States is the "only country in the world" still using mail-in ballots has been widely debunked, with numerous nations around the globe employing similar methods to ensure broad voter participation.
Trump's Renewed Attack on Mail-In Voting
In a social media post on August 18, Trump declared, "We are now the only Country in the World that uses Mail-In Voting. All others gave it up because of the MASSIVE VOTER FRAUD ENCOUNTERED." He promised an executive order to promote "HONESTY" in elections, targeting mail-in ballots and voting machines, according to reports from CBS News and POLITICO. Legal experts, however, note that the president lacks unilateral authority to override state election laws, setting the stage for potential court battles, as explained by The Washington Post.
Vermont Officials Push Back
Vermont, which has embraced universal mail-in voting since the 2020 election amid the COVID-19 pandemic, sees the practice as a cornerstone of democratic access. Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas swiftly responded to Trump's remarks, vowing to "protect mail-in voting in Vermont" and highlighting its role in boosting turnout while maintaining integrity, according to WCAX. "Our elections are free and fair, and mail-in voting has proven to be a secure, efficient way for Vermonters to participate," Hanzas said in a statement. She added that the state is prepared to defend the system in court if necessary, pointing to rigorous verification processes like signature matching and ballot tracking, as detailed in statements from Vermont election officials.
Senator Welch Weighs In
U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-VT), a member of the Senate Rules Committee, echoed these sentiments, criticizing Trump's claims as part of a "misinformation campaign" against proven voting methods. "Vermont's mail-in system ensures every eligible voter can cast their ballot safely and conveniently, without fear of suppression," Welch stated. "Attacks like this undermine trust in our democracy, but we won't let them erode access here in Vermont," according to reports from Yahoo News and YouTube coverage of his comments. Welch also referenced Vermont's high voter turnout rates—often exceeding 70% in recent elections—as evidence of the system's success.
Debunking the Claim: Mail-In Voting Worldwide
Trump's blanket claim ignores a global landscape where mail-in or postal voting is commonplace, often with built-in safeguards against fraud. Fact-checkers have identified at least dozens of countries that offer some form of absentee or postal ballots, contradicting the president's narrative, according to PBS NewsHour, CNN, and PolitiFact. Here are 10 nations that actively use mail-in voting:
Switzerland: Many cantons conduct elections almost entirely by mail, with high participation rates and strict identity verification, according to Wikipedia and International IDEA.
Germany: Postal voting is available to all voters without excuse, accounting for about 30% of ballots in recent federal elections, as reported by Pew Research Center.
United Kingdom: Absentee ballots are widely used, especially in general elections, with options for postal voting on demand, per Al Jazeera and TIME.
Australia: Postal votes are common for those unable to attend polling stations, complemented by compulsory voting laws, according to the MIT Election Lab.
Canada: Mail-in voting is offered nationwide, with increased usage during the pandemic and secure return protocols, as noted in fact-checks from PolitiFact.
France: Postal voting is available for certain groups, including overseas voters, and is expanding in some regions, according to International IDEA.
Sweden: All voters can request postal ballots, with a focus on accessibility for remote and elderly populations, per Pew Research Center.
Japan: Absentee voting by mail is permitted for those with valid reasons, such as illness or travel, as detailed in global election reports from IDEA.
South Korea: Postal voting is used for early and absentee ballots, with electronic verification to prevent fraud, according to Wikipedia.
New Zealand: Mail-in options are available, particularly for overseas Kiwis, and were expanded during recent elections, per the Miami Herald.
These examples illustrate a variety of approaches, from universal access to targeted availability, all designed to enhance voter turnout without compromising security, according to analyses from the Bipartisan Policy Center and Brookings Institution. In Vermont, where rural geography can make in-person voting challenging, mail-in ballots have been credited with reducing barriers and increasing engagement.
As the debate heats up nationally, Vermont's stance underscores a broader divide over election methods. With the 2026 midterms on the horizon, state officials say they remain vigilant, ready to safeguard a system that has served Vermonters well for years. "Democracy thrives when more people vote, not fewer," Hanzas concluded, as quoted by WCAX.