Trump leans on India’s election playbook in push to change how Americans vote

US President Donald Trump has drawn parallels between India's election system and the United States, suggesting that the latter could learn from India's approach to improve voter access and election security. India, the world's largest democracy, has 646 million voters, with less than 1% casting ballots by mail. In contrast, many US states permit mail voting, while Indian postal ballots are limited to specific groups such as military personnel, election workers, essential service employees, certain elderly voters, and individuals with disabilities.

India's election process is centered around in-person voting at polling stations set up near voters. Around 1.05 million polling stations were established for India's 2024 general election, conducted in phases using electronic voting machines. At these stations, officials verify voters' names against electoral rolls and check their photo identification before they cast their ballots.

Trump has been pushing for the passage of the SAVE America Act, which would require proof of citizenship to register for federal elections and photo identification to vote in federal elections. This legislation has been stalled in the Senate as Trump and his Republican allies seek tighter election rules prior to the November 3 midterms.

Trump highlighted India's Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's inquiry about the US holding elections without requiring valid photo identification, emphasizing the need to pass the SAVE America Act.