Sen. John Fetterman calls Trump's criticism of mail-in voting "ridiculous"

[mystery-ak]

Sen. John Fetterman calls Trump's criticism of mail-in voting "ridiculous"
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Updated on: March 11, 2026 / 8:04 PM EDT / CBS News

Democratic Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania on Wednesday dismissed the SAVE America Act, the controversial elections bill being pushed by the Trump administration and some Republican lawmakers, criticizing what he sees as the GOP's about-face on mail-in voting.

"I don't support it…in its current state," Fetterman told CBS News chief White House correspondent Major Garrett in an interview Wednesday.

The bill would require proof of citizenship to vote in federal elections and photo ID to cast a ballot. President Trump has also called for Republicans to attach an amendment that would ban mail-in voting.

"The president is constantly critical on mail-in voting, and that's ridiculous," Fetterman said. "It's safe. Some of the best examples in the country are from red states like Ohio and Florida."

Fetterman recalled Act 77, legislation passed in 2019 by the Pennsylvania legislature with wide bipartisan support that legalized mail-in voting in the state. At the time, Fetterman was serving as Pennsylvania's lieutenant governor, which he said Wednesday gave him a "unique perspective" on the issue.

"The Republicans in Pennsylvania pushed for mail-in voting," Fetterman said of Act 77. "They forced us to give up the straight party line."

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[libertybele]

I disagree with Fetterman on this.  There's too much room for 'fraud' with mail in ballots.   

[mountaineer]

In Fetterman's home county in Pa., my brother-in-law received two unsolicited mail-in ballots (he faithfully votes at his polling place every election). Considering it's corrupt Allegheny County, he could have voted three times and gotten away with it  - assuming he voted Democrat,  of course.

[Cyber Liberty]

There you have it. The Great Hope, Fetterman has found his hook to vote with the Rats on SAVE.  He's a "No" vote!  Only fools thought he was wising up. He's not, he's a Democrat.

[Free Vulcan]

While I would get rid of mail-in except for rare circumstances, the reality is mail-in is prone to fraud because it's a wide open leaky sieve, inadequate rules, and wild west in practice.

[Smokin Joe]

Mail in your absentee ballot?

OK, provided there are rules and those rules are observed.

Mail in ballots for all?

No Way. Wide open to fraud.

Fetterman is wrong on this one.

[Camp]

I have worked the polls in Allegheny County the last few years and the mail in ballots are secure.

The county has ample checks and balances. 

Getting your ballot there is a weakness.  Having others fill out the ballots is a weakness.

There is confusion on the process with elderly who benefit from them when getting to the polling place is a challenge.

These people mostly vote R.

Dems mock the Rep aversion to mail ins.

Fetterman is right here.  Show ID and keep non-citizens from registering.

The only bar to illegal resident registration is the honor system while the driver license process solicits voters.

The Save Act will fail if mail in voting is in it.

[Polly Ticks]

I have worked the polls in Allegheny County the last few years and the mail in ballots are secure.

The county has ample checks and balances. 

In Fetterman's home county in Pa., my brother-in-law received two unsolicited mail-in ballots (he faithfully votes at his polling place every election). Considering it's corrupt Allegheny County, he could have voted three times and gotten away with it  - assuming he voted Democrat,  of course.

Evidence would seem to indicate mail-in ballots are NOT, in fact, secure.

[mountaineer]

I should add my b-i-l's mail-in ballots were addressed to different versions of his name, e.g., John F. Kennedy and J. Ferdinand Kennedy (except his actual name, of course). Would the board of elections really have noticed if he voted under both iterations?

[Wingnut]

I should add my b-i-l's mail-in ballots were addressed to different versions of his name, e.g., John F. Kennedy and J. Ferdinand Kennedy (except his actual name, of course). Would the board of elections really have noticed if he voted under both iterations?

They must have let Publishing Clearing House handle the ballet mailings.  Back in the day, before they went belly up, I would get stuff from them with different variations of my 1st and middle name.