This archive report was first published on 30 July 2020.
On Thursday, US President Donald Trump floated the idea of delaying the November 2020 presidential election, citing unsubstantiated allegations of widespread mail-in voting fraud.
However, federal law dictates that elections be held on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November, and any changes would require an act of Congress.
Trump's suggestion comes as the country grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic, which has led to increased use of mail-in voting.
Trump tweeted:
"With Universal Mail-In Voting (not Absentee Voting, which is good), 2020 will be the most INACCURATE & FRAUDULENT Election in history. It will be a great embarrassment to the USA. Delay the Election until people can properly, securely and safely vote???"
The Constitution makes no provisions for delaying the January 20, 2021 presidential inauguration.
