Fact-check analysisVerified as of September 2, 2025Curated by FactVerify
True

The United States Constitution is clear: President Donald Trump can’t take control of the country’s elections.

The United States Constitution does not grant the president authority to unilaterally control or take over the administration of federal or state elections.

Trump seeks big voting changes, but the Constitution doesn't give the president a say over elections - AP News

Trump seeks big voting changes, but the Constitution doesn't give the president a say over elections - AP News

Source: apnews.com

At a glance

Key Evidence

Verified September 2, 2025
The reporting

What the Evidence Shows

The U.S. Constitution assigns the primary responsibility for regulating elections to state legislatures and Congress, not the president. Multiple sources emphasize that the president cannot unilaterally change how elections are conducted or seize control over them.apnews.comapnews.comTrump seeks big voting changes, but the Constitution doesn't give the president... 2) The Constitution's Elections Clause states that states prescribe election regulations, and Congress may alter those regulations by law. The president's role is limited to signing or vetoing legislation passed by Congress; there is no constitutional provision granting the president direct control over election processes. 3) Legal experts and courts have affirmed that presidential attempts to reshape election administration through executive orders or other unilateral actions exceed constitutional authority. Federal courts have explicitly stated that such powers are not vested in the president. 4) While President Trump has sought changes to voting methods such as mail-in voting, these efforts do not align with constitutional powers granted to the presidency. The Constitution clearly limits presidential authority in this domain to prevent overreach.pbs.orgpbs.orgDoes Trump have the power to end mail-in voting? Legal scholar weighs in 5) Opinion pieces and legal analyses warn that expansive interpretations of presidential power over elections conflict with constitutional design and risk undermining democratic processes.+5 more Overall, the evidence from multiple independent and reliable sources consistently supports the conclusion that the Constitution does not permit President Donald Trump to take control of the country's elections.

Primary trail

Verified Sources7

Trump seeks big voting changes, but the Constitution doesn't give the president...

apnews.com
Open source

Trump signed an order to reshape how elections in the US are run. Is it...

apnews.com
Open source

Does Trump have the power to end mail-in voting? Legal scholar weighs in

pbs.org
Open source
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