Rep. Joe Morelle Defends Mail-In Ballots, Warns Against Foreign Influence in U.S. Elections
Rochester, New York ā Representative Joe Morelle, a Democrat from New Yorkās 25th congressional district, firmly defended the role of mail-in voting in American democracy while criticizing what he described as troubling reliance on āelectoral adviceā from Russian President Vladimir Putin. In a televised interview, Morelle emphasized that mail-in ballots have been an integral component of the U.S. electoral system for decades, dismissing claims that they undermine election security.
Mail-In Ballots as a Longstanding Electoral Practice
During his remarks, Morelle underscored that mail-in voting is not a recent phenomenon, but a trusted mechanism that has existed for generations. āWeāre not going to get rid of mail-in ballots. Itās been around for decades. No one has ever suggested itās fraudulent,ā he stated.
His defense echoes the historical foundation of absentee and mail-in voting, which dates back to the Civil War. At that time, Union soldiers were granted the ability to cast their ballots remotely, ensuring their voices were heard even while they were on the battlefield. Since then, the system has steadily expanded, particularly during the 20th century, when absentee voting by mail became widespread across the states.
Over the decades, mail-in ballots have become a dependable option for millions of Americans unable to vote in person due to travel, disability, military deployment, or employment obligations. Their increased relevance became especially apparent during the 2020 presidential election, when the COVID-19 pandemic caused an unprecedented surge in mail-in participation.
Recent Controversies Around Voting Security
Although mail-in ballots have been used for over 150 years, they recently became a focal point in national debates over election integrity. Critics have raised concerns about mail fraud, lost votes, or delayed counting, but election experts consistently report extremely low rates of irregularities associated with absentee or mail voting.
A study examining two decades of mail ballots across the United States found only isolated cases of proven fraud, representing a fraction of a percent of all votes cast. States that have relied heavily on universal mail voting, such as Oregon, Colorado, Washington, and Utah, consistently report high levels of accuracy and security in election administration.
Morelleās comments arrive within this broader debate, where mail-in voting is increasingly framed not just as a logistical issue, but as central to public trust in democracy. His insistence that ballots by mail are secure reflects the evidence shown in multiple state-level audits and recounts, where mailed votes have consistently matched in-person tallies in accuracy.
Concerns Over Foreign Influence in U.S. Politics
Beyond the debate over mail-in ballots, Morelle struck an urgent tone when discussing election security, particularly regarding foreign influence. āAnd frankly, when the president starts taking electoral security and electoral advice from Vladimir Putin, we have entered a very dark place in America,ā he warned.
His comments highlight an enduring concern within the U.S. national security and intelligence community. Since 2016, multiple federal investigations and intelligence reports have documented attempts by foreign actors, particularly Russia, to interfere in American elections. These operations included disinformation campaigns on social media, targeted cyberattacks against state election infrastructure, and efforts to deepen political divisions among U.S. voters.
While the scope and effectiveness of these foreign endeavors vary, the issue of adversaries influencing the American political process remains at the forefront for lawmakers overseeing election security. Morelleās sharp critique underscores the perception that deference to foreign leaders, especially adversarial ones, could undercut confidence in Americaās ability to safeguard its own democratic institutions.
How New York State Uses Mail-In Ballots
New York has seen incremental changes expanding access to mail-in voting. Historically a state with more restrictive absentee ballot rules, New York significantly broadened eligibility during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Emergency measures allowed any voter to request a ballot citing ārisk of illness,ā and subsequent legislation codified broader accessibility.
Still, New York differs from states such as Oregon and Colorado, where all registered voters are mailed a ballot by default. Instead, New Yorkers must proactively apply to vote by mail, whether through absentee requests or newly implemented mail-in voting procedures. This hybrid stance places the state between more expansive Western vote-by-mail systems and the more restrictive models seen in parts of the South and Midwest.
Officials in New York emphasize that ballots require safety protocols, including strict signature verification and barcode tracking, to prevent duplication or tampering. These layers of security reflect broader recommendations from bipartisan election administrators nationwide, many of whom stress that mail-in voting, when combined with proper oversight, is as secure as in-person voting at polling places.
National and Regional Comparisons
To better understand Morelleās defense of mail-in voting, it is helpful to compare how different regions in the United States integrate absentee or mail voting.
- Western States: Oregon pioneered universal mail voting in 2000. Since then, Washington, Colorado, Utah, and Hawaii have adopted similar systems. Voter turnout in these states consistently ranks above the national average, with voter fraud cases remaining statistically negligible.
- Midwestern States: Some states, like Michigan and Minnesota, allow no-excuse absentee ballots, meaning voters can request a mail-in ballot for any reason. Election audits in these states confirm strong safeguards, though discussions about potential mail delays occasionally arise.
- Southern States: Historically more restrictive, several Southern states still require voters to provide specific reasons, such as being out of the county on Election Day, to qualify for absentee ballots. These limitations have sometimes led to lower participation rates in mail voting compared to other regions.
Comparative data from across regions reinforces Morelleās argument that mail-in voting systems are broadly secure and effective when supported by transparent safeguards.
Economic and Administrative Impact of Mail Voting
Implementing large-scale mail-in voting requires significant logistical planning and funding. Counties must invest in ballot printing, secure mailing systems, and envelope tracking software, in addition to training workers for ballot verification. While this requires upfront costs, many states with long-running programs argue that mail voting can eventually lower expenses by reducing the need for physical polling stations and staffing.
The United States Postal Service plays a central role in ensuring ballots reach election offices on time. During the 2020 election cycle, USPS faced unprecedented demand and scrutiny as millions of ballots were processed nationwide. Despite concerns about delays, agency audits showed that the vast majority of ballots were delivered within election deadlines.
The economic ripple effects extend beyond government expenses. Printing vendors, mailing services, and ballot-tracking software companies benefit from contracts linked to expanded vote-by-mail programs. Conversely, any challenges in mail votingāsuch as logistical errors or delivery concernsācan erode voter confidence and increase administrative costs linked to recounts or litigation.
Public Reaction to Morelleās Comments
Public response to Rep. Morelleās remarks reflects broader divides in the national conversation. Supporters view his stance as a necessary defense of foundational democratic practices, pointing out that millions of Americans rely on voting by mail every election cycle. For these voters, preserving access to mail ballots is essential to ensuring inclusivity, especially for the elderly, disabled, rural, and military communities.
Skeptical voices, however, continue to raise concerns that widespread use of absentee ballots increases opportunities for mistakes or mismanagement, even if proven fraud is rare. Some argue that emphasizing in-person voting strengthens civic engagement and public confidence in results.
Despite differences, many election officials and legal experts stress that transparency, tracking, and recount procedures mitigate the risks associated with mailed ballots. Historically, recounts in both mail-heavy and in-person-heavy states reaffirm that the outcomes remain consistent regardless of voting method.
Looking Ahead to Upcoming Elections
As upcoming local and national elections approach, the role of mail-in ballots remains central to debates over election integrity, efficiency, and accessibility. Morelleās comments highlight the tension between traditional democratic practices and the evolving risks posed by misinformation and foreign interference.
With voters becoming more accustomed to mail voting, New York and other states are preparing for its continued use. Election administrators aim to balance convenience with security, aiming to instill confidence that every ballotāwhether mailed or cast in personāwill be counted accurately.
Conclusion
Rep. Joe Morelleās full-throated defense of mail-in ballots places him at the center of a national dialogue that stretches back to Americaās earliest wartime elections. By framing mailed ballots as both historically grounded and securely managed, he challenges narratives that portray them as inherently vulnerable. At the same time, his warning about potential foreign involvement underscores the fragile balance between public trust and external threats.
As the United States moves closer to another pivotal election season, the debate over mail-in votingāand the broader question of protecting democracy from external influenceāremains critical. For millions of voters, the ability to safely and reliably cast a ballot from home will be a defining feature of Americaās electoral future.