POLICY WIRE FACT CHECK: 18 Rumors About Mail-In Ballots, Examined
The Claim As the 2026 midterm election season approaches, a wave of viral claims about mail-in ballots has resurfaced, fueled in part by repeated assertions from former U.S. President Donald Trump...
The Claim
As the 2026 midterm election season approaches, a wave of viral claims about mail-in ballots has resurfaced, fueled in part by repeated assertions from former U.S. President Donald Trump and his allies. These claims often revolve around allegations of fraud, security risks, and procedural irregularities associated with voting by mail. Among the most frequently cited rumors is the assertion that mail-in ballots are inherently prone to fraud, that they were ‘lost’ in large numbers during recent elections, and that former President Trump himself has never voted by mail despite his public opposition to the practice.
The viral content includes social media posts, video clips, and infographics circulating across platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. Some of these claims are attributed to prominent conservative figures, while others are shared anonymously or through lesser-known accounts. The specific statements that have triggered public concern include claims that the 2020 election was stolen due to widespread mail-in ballot fraud, that tens of millions of ballots were lost in California’s 2022 midterms, and that the SAVE America Act could fundamentally alter how Americans vote if passed by the Senate.
The Details & Investigation
Snopes, a leading fact-checking organization, has examined 18 of these viral claims, many of which trace back to statements made by former President Donald Trump. Trump has consistently criticized mail-in voting, particularly after he alleged that he lost the 2020 election due to fraudulent practices—despite having cast mail-in ballots himself during his presidency, including during his second term. This contradiction has been repeatedly highlighted in fact-checks, including one from Snopes in May 2020 titled “Has President Trump Ever Voted by Mail?” which confirmed that Trump has indeed used mail-in voting in multiple elections.
One of the most persistent rumors involves the claim that 10 million mail-in ballots were ‘lost’ during California’s 2022 midterms. Snopes investigated this in January 2023 and found no evidence to support such an assertion. According to state election officials, while there were some administrative errors and delays, the number of lost ballots did not reach the scale suggested by the viral claim. Similarly, the claim that mail-in ballots increase the risk of voter fraud has been thoroughly debunked by numerous studies and official reports, including a 2024 Snopes article titled “there is Still No Evidence of Systematic Voter Fraud in the 2020 Election.” This report concluded that while isolated cases of fraud may occur, there is no evidence of systemic issues in mail-in voting processes.
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Other claims, such as the idea that the SAVE America Act would significantly change how Americans vote, have also been scrutinized. While the bill, introduced in March 2026, aims to reform aspects of voting procedures, it does not include provisions that would drastically alter the use of mail-in ballots. Additionally, the claim that Trump has never voted by mail is demonstrably false, as evidenced by multiple records and verified accounts. These findings suggest that many of the viral claims are either based on outdated information, misinterpretations of facts, or deliberate distortions intended to sow doubt about the integrity of mail-in voting.
When evaluating whether these claims constitute misinformation or disinformation, it becomes clear that some are unintentional errors—such as the spread of outdated or incomplete data—while others appear to be part of a broader effort to undermine confidence in the electoral process. The coordinated nature of some of these claims, especially those linked to high-profile political figures, points to potential disinformation campaigns aimed at influencing public perception ahead of the 2026 midterms.
The Verdict
After a thorough examination of the 18 viral claims surrounding mail-in ballots, it is evident that the majority of these statements are either misleading or entirely false. Claims that mail-in ballots are inherently insecure or prone to fraud have been consistently refuted by credible sources, including state election officials and independent studies. The assertion that 10 million ballots were lost in California’s 2022 midterms lacks any verifiable evidence and is therefore classified as FALSE. Similarly, the claim that Trump has never voted by mail is also FALSE, as documented in multiple fact-checks and public records.
While some of the claims may stem from genuine confusion or the spread of outdated information, others appear to be part of a deliberate strategy to discredit mail-in voting. This distinction places certain elements of the rumor mill in the category of DISINFORMATION, particularly when they are amplified by influential figures or organized networks. , the bulk of the viral content falls under the umbrella of MISINFORMATION, but the intent behind some of the more targeted claims suggests a more insidious form of deception.
Counter-misinformation & disinformation investigation conducted by PolicyWire Editorial Desk (PW).
