Trump threatens legal action to block Nevada from expanding mail-in voting

An election worker sorts mail-in ballots.
(Image credit: JASON REDMOND/AFP via Getty Images)

President Trump expressed his displeasure Monday evening with Nevada lawmakers voting to automatically send mail-in ballots to all registered voters, telling reporters he will sue to block the new law.

The legislation was approved on Sunday, and Gov. Stephen Sisolak (D) signed it into law on Monday evening. Trump, who in April said mail-in voting "doesn't work out well for Republicans," claimed on Twitter Monday morning that the Nevada lawmakers conducted an "illegal late night coup" and the "Post Office could never handle the Traffic of Mail-In Votes without preparation. Using COVID to steal the state. See you in Court!"

During a press conference later in the day, Trump repeated his assertion that the U.S. Postal Service does not have the infrastructure necessary to handle an influx of mail-in ballots, and said he plans on having the lawsuit blocking Nevada filed Tuesday. Trump was asked whether he would issue an executive order on mail-in voting, and responded incorrectly: "I have the right to do it. We haven't gotten there yet. We'll see what happens."

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Several state election officials have said they will expand mail-in voting to keep voters safe during the coronavirus pandemic. Experts say voter fraud is very rare, especially when there are proper safety measures in place, and a study released earlier this year found that universal vote-by-mail does not benefit any political party.

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