Vermont’s GOP governor defends state-run elections and mail-in voting as Trump aims to reshape them

Vermont’s GOP governor, Phil Scott, defended mail-in voting and state-run elections as a good option for Americans, rejecting Trump’s calls for the Republicans to “nationalize” elections and limit options for mail-in voting.

Vermont’s GOP Gov. Phil Scott on Friday defended mail ballots and state-run elections, rejecting President Donald Trump’s calls for Republicans to “nationalize” elections and limit options for mail-in voting.

Asked how he responds to Trump’s call for voting to be nationalized, Scott said he goes back to the 10th Amendment, noting that it’s “clear on the role of the states in terms of elections. So I think that we should follow that and we’re closer to the people.”

“In Vermont, I would have to say, mail-in ballots are popular. Who are they popular with? Republicans,” Scott told “Meet the Press” moderator Kristen Welker during a common ground conversation with North Carolina Democratic Gov. Josh Stein at the National Governors Association meeting in Oklahoma City.

The governor added that mail-in voting has increased voter participation among members of his party in his state, which in turn has boosted GOP representation in the state Legislature.

“We’re closer to our people and we know what’s right and what’s wrong, and we can control the elections,” Scott added, defending the role of states in administering elections.