Freshness note: This analysis was last updated 22 days ago. Fast-moving policy claims can change quickly, so check for newer official updates before relying on this verdict.
“The United States is the only country in the world that allows mail-in ballots”
Summary
Multiple countries around the world allow some form of mail-in or postal voting. Examples include Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Australia, and Switzerland, among others. The claim that the United States is the only country permitting mail-in ballots is contradicted by documented voting practices in numerous democracies.
Primary Sources
Fact-check rating the claim as False, documenting that numerous countries allow mail-in voting including Canada, UK, France, Germany, and others
Fact-check rating the claim as False, providing examples of countries with postal voting systems
Analysis of claims about mail-in voting, including international comparisons showing other countries permit postal ballots
Examination of claims about countries banning mail-in voting, rated as Mixture due to varying restrictions and definitions across nations
Evidence Against / Context
- Canada allows mail-in voting for citizens who apply for special ballots, according to fact-checking organizations
- The United Kingdom permits postal voting for registered voters who request it in advance
- Germany allows absentee voting by mail for citizens who meet eligibility requirements
- France permits proxy voting and mail-in voting for citizens living abroad
- Australia offers postal voting as an option for voters who cannot attend polling stations in person
- Switzerland uses mail-in voting extensively, with some cantons conducting elections primarily by mail
- Multiple fact-checking organizations including Snopes, PolitiFact, and FactCheck.org rated this claim as False
Timeline
Claim that US is the only country allowing mail-in ballots made and subsequently fact-checked by multiple organizations
What This Means
Structured interpretation — not opinion
Key takeaway 1
Postal or mail-in voting systems exist in various forms across multiple democratic nations, though the specific rules, eligibility requirements, and scale of use differ by country
Key takeaway 2
Some countries use mail-in voting as a primary method while others offer it as an accommodation for specific circumstances such as disability, travel, or living abroad
Key takeaway 3
The claim reflects a factual inaccuracy about international voting practices, as documented voting systems in numerous countries include mail-in or postal ballot options
Related Claims in Elections
“About 1 in 4 Republicans voted by mail in the 2024 election”
Exit polls and voter surveys from the 2024 general election indicate that approximately 24-26% of Republican voters cast ballots by mail. This represents a significant portion of GOP voters using mail voting despite political debates about the practice during and after the 2020 election.
“Trump-initiated mid-decade redistricting is driving the number of competitive House seats lower”
The number of competitive House seats has declined significantly, but this trend predates Trump and is not primarily driven by mid-decade redistricting. The 2020 redistricting cycle (which Trump did not initiate) and traditional decennial redistricting have contributed to fewer competitive districts, but the role of mid-decade redistricting has been limited compared to standard post-census redistricting.
“The SAVE America Act's proof of citizenship rules could keep millions of Americans, particularly married women, from voting”
The SAVE Act would require documentary proof of citizenship for voter registration, which could create barriers for individuals whose identification documents do not match due to name changes from marriage. While concerns exist about potential impacts on married women and others with name changes, specific estimates of millions being affected lack verified data, and the claim overstates the certainty of the impact.