Trump threatens to withhold federal funds to Michigan, Nevada for expanding vote by mail

President Trump said Wednesday that he will attempt to hold up federal funds to Nevada and Michigan if the states proceed with plans to send out vote-by-mail ballots to its residents. 

Trump made the announcement via Twitter, on which he also posted: "Breaking: Michigan sends absentee ballots to 7.7 million people ahead of Primaries and the General Election. This was done illegally and without authorization by a rogue Secretary of State. I will ask to hold up funding to Michigan if they want to go down this Voter Fraud path!”

The CARES Act, passed by Congress at the beginning of the pandemic, allocates funds to the states to navigate the upcoming November presidential election. However, there is fear, especially from Republicans, that switching the model of the election to universal vote-by-mail could encourage voter fraud.

Some states are currently attempting to change the standards of their vote-by-mail rules. Virginia recently passed a measure ruling that a voter no longer needs to have a witness present while completing their absentee ballot.

Nevada is planning to have an all-mail vote for its June state primary.

"State of Nevada 'thinks' that they can send out illegal vote by mail ballots, creating a great Voter Fraud scenario for the State and the U.S.," Trump also tweeted. "They can’t! If they do, 'I think' I can hold up funds to the State. Sorry, but you must not cheat in elections. @RussVought45 @USTreasury"