PHOENIX (AP) — As President Donald Trump calls for the end of mail voting, some key Republican figures in Western swing states are navigating a more nuanced path. Despite Trump’s strong stance, his allies in Arizona aren’t ready to fully abandon mail voting.
In the Arizona governor’s race, U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs, who has Trump’s endorsement, is not advocating for a complete repeal of mail voting. Although he has previously voiced skepticism following Trump’s 2020 loss, Biggs isn’t supporting an outright ban. His rival, Karrin Taylor Robson, shares Trump’s endorsement but hasn’t clearly stated her stance on the elimination of mail voting.
The situation underscores a challenge for Republican candidates in the upcoming midterm elections: balancing allegiance to Trump with the convenience mail voting offers many voters. This is a particularly delicate issue in Arizona, where Trump has backed both Biggs and Taylor Robson.
In a political climate that often swings against the party of the sitting president, Trump’s anti-mail voting rhetoric adds another layer of complexity for Republicans in battleground states.
Republicans Benefiting from Mail Voting
Republicans have historically gained from mail voting. Barrett Marson, a GOP strategist, pointed out that mail voting played a crucial role in Republican victories in Arizona during the 2024 elections. Trump secured the state by over five percentage points, and the party increased its legislative majority. Marson noted, “President Trump and his campaign had a very successful ballot-chasing program in 2024.”
In Arizona, Trump received approximately 51% of early and mail-in votes, totaling nearly 2.9 million. Gina Swoboda, the state Republican Party Chair, confirmed that these methods “helped deliver this election for Republicans.”
Despite the popularity of mail voting among voters, Trump recently reiterated his call to end the practice, except for specific groups like the military and the severely ill. He cited Colorado’s universal mail voting system as a factor in relocating the U.S. Space Command from Colorado to Alabama.
Arizona’s Changing Political Landscape
Although Arizona has a strong tradition of mail voting, skepticism has grown. Trump has repeatedly questioned the integrity of mail voting, alleging it leads to fraud, despite the lack of evidence for widespread issues. In 2024, Republicans adjusted their strategy to focus on early voters.
White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson stated, “President Trump is committed to ensuring that every vote cast is done in a secure and transparent fashion to restore trust and integrity back to American elections.”
With about 85% of Arizona voters using mail ballots, the debate continues. Taylor Robson and Biggs have both utilized mail voting over the years. Arizona Republicans were instrumental in expanding vote-by-mail options in the 1990s. However, election conspiracies have gained traction, fueled by vote-counting delays in Maricopa County, Arizona’s population hub. The county, the second-largest election jurisdiction in the U.S., often experiences delays due to the time-intensive process of handling mail ballots.
Republican Candidates’ Stand
While Taylor Robson has shifted rightward, aligning with Trump’s MAGA movement, she has avoided taking a definitive stance on mail voting. She has emphasized restoring trust in the electoral process but hasn’t clarified whether she supports abolishing mail voting.
Biggs, known for supporting Trump’s claims about the 2020 election, diverges from Trump on mail voting. His campaign consultant, Sean Noble, clarified that Biggs does not favor eliminating mail voting. Instead, he has advocated for in-person voting.
Meanwhile, Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs has pledged to protect mail voting as she seeks reelection.
Nevada’s Republican Strategy
In Nevada, a similar situation is unfolding. Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo, who endorsed Trump in 2022, is navigating a moderate path while maintaining loyalty to Trump. He has rejected Trump’s claims of a stolen 2020 election but has not explicitly addressed mail voting in his reelection campaign.
Lombardo has previously criticized universal mail-in ballots and supported halting mail ballot counting after Election Day. However, his current position on Trump’s call to end mail voting remains unclear.
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