{"id":2578657,"date":"2026-03-11T14:12:01","date_gmt":"2026-03-11T18:12:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/thune-floats-ballot-harvesting-ban-amid-save-america-act-anger\/"},"modified":"2026-03-11T14:14:32","modified_gmt":"2026-03-11T18:14:32","slug":"thune-floats-ballot-harvesting-ban-amid-save-america-act-anger","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/thune-floats-ballot-harvesting-ban-amid-save-america-act-anger\/","title":{"rendered":"Thune floats ballot harvesting ban amid SAVE America Act anger"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fthune-floats-ballot-harvesting-ban-amid-save-america-act-anger%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2578657&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Senate Majority Leader John Thune floated a crackdown on ballot harvesting as part of revisions to the Safeguarding American Voter Eligibility Act (SAVE Act), saying the practice poses a real threat to elections. He indicated Republicans are weighing proposals that could include new limits on mail-in ballots in response to President Trump\u2019s push for stricter voting rules. While the House has already passed the SAVE Act twice, adding a ban on mail ballots could jeopardize broad GOP support in the Senate. Thune argued that states can process absentee ballots securely and urged a proposal that could win near-global backing, as the White House seeks clarity on what Congress should pass. The push has <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >exposed intra-party tensions<\/a>, with Trump allies criticizing Thune for not moving more aggressively, while some Republicans worry that a total mail-ballot ban could fracture the caucus.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Thune floats ballot harvesting ban as Trump hammers Senate on SAVE Act<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2529470\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>Senate Majority Leader <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/john-thune\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"178\">John Thune<\/a> (R-SD) is proposing a clamp-down on ballot harvesting, a move that could help ease tensions with the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/section\/news\/white-house\/\" type=\"category\" id=\"125\">White House<\/a> over his inability to pass the Safeguarding American Voter Eligibility Act.<\/p>\n<p>The majority leader said the practice was a &ldquo;real problem&rdquo; that needed to be addressed when asked Wednesday whether Republicans would add a ban on voting by mail to the SAVE Act, as Trump requested earlier this week.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/4487382\/tim-scott-defends-ban-large-investors-buying-houses\/\">Tim Scott defends ban on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/johnson-pushes-reconciliation-without-plan-nor-trumps-backing\/\" title=\"Johnson pushes reconciliation without plan nor ...&#039;s backing\">large investors buying houses<\/a> against industry criticism<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/4487379\/senate-confirmation-joshua-rudd-nsa-cyber-command\/\">Senate confirms Joshua Rudd to run NSA and Cyber Command<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/4487049\/thune-save-america-act-vote-next-week-talking-filibuster\/\">Thune schedules doomed SAVE America Act vote as MAGA pushes filibuster showdown<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>&ldquo;This ballot harvesting thing, to me, is a real threat and a temptation to fraud in elections,&rdquo; Thune told reporters.<\/p>\n<p>Thuen said Senate <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/republicans\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"240\">Republicans<\/a> were looking at ways to &ldquo;accommodate&rdquo; the president&rsquo;s request and would be working through proposals with the White House.<\/p>\n<p>Thirty-five states allow voters to designate someone else to return a ballot, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. In many cases, that person must be a family member or caregiver. But lax laws in states such as California have long drawn the ire of Republicans who say the practice invites <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/voter-fraud\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"1582\">fraudulent activity<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>In terms of voting by mail, Republicans have <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/justice-amy-coney-barrett-says-supreme-court-ethics-code-is-a-good-idea\/\" title=\"Justice Barrett supports the Supreme Court ethics code.\">previously expressed reservations<\/a> about a total ban, and Thune said Wednesday that states have proven they can process absentee ballots securely.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;As a general rule, if people are requesting ballots, and they&rsquo;ve got legitimate reasons for requesting them, I think a lot of states use that process and use it pretty well,&rdquo; he added.<\/p>\n<p>But Thune&rsquo;s comments suggest that congressional leaders are worried that Trump&rsquo;s maximalist demands could further divide Republicans on the SAVE Act and want to tailor their proposals to something that can win virtually unanimous support.<\/p>\n<p>Thune has faced weeks of backlash from the Make America Great Again coalition over his conference&rsquo;s refusal to use a talking filibuster to pass the legislation, which requires ID to cast a ballot and proof of citizenship to register to vote.<\/p>\n<p>In the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/section\/news\/house\/\" type=\"category\" id=\"1250\">House<\/a>, Republicans have been united on the bill and passed it twice without similar controversy. But the addition of a ban on mail ballots could weaken support in a chamber where Republicans can only afford to lose a single vote.<\/p>\n<p>For now, Thune said congressional leadership is asking the White House to &ldquo;clarify&rdquo; what sort of proposal it hopes <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/congress\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"31\">Congress<\/a> to pass.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;If somebody requests a ballot, that&rsquo;s one thing. If they&rsquo;re just shipping ballots out to people, that&rsquo;s a different thing,&rdquo; Thune said.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/4465730\/maga-backlash-thune-save-act-filibuster\/\"><strong>MAGA RIGHT&nbsp;SOURS&nbsp;ON&nbsp;THUNE&nbsp;OVER SAVE ACT FIGHT<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>On social media, Trump has stated that he wants a near-total ban, with exceptions for service members, travel, illness, or disability. On Wednesday, the president told reporters that Thune needed to be a &ldquo;leader&rdquo; and find the votes necessary to pass the SAVE Act.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;He&rsquo;s got to be a leader. He&rsquo;s the leader, he&rsquo;s got to get them,&rdquo; Trump said as he departed the White House for a trip to Ohio.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Thune seeks ballot-harvesting ban; Trump pushes SAVE Act<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2651,"featured_media":2578658,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/AP25273752441243-e1773250842765.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[73770,73523,73830,75572,23610],"class_list":["post-2578657","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-ballot-harvesting-2","tag-election-law-2","tag-save-america-act","tag-senate-politics-2","tag-thune"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/AP25273752441243-e1773250842765.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2578657","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2651"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2578657"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2578657\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2578661,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2578657\/revisions\/2578661"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2578658"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2578657"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2578657"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2578657"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}