As Trump feuds with Michigan over mail-in voting, governor seeks flood help

'If people mail in ballots there's a lot of illegality,' president claimed without providing any evidence

Amid a mostly one-sided feud over mail-in voting, Michigan's Democratic governor is pleading with Donald Trump to send federal assistance to help her state deal with serious flooding.

The president drove the Wednesday news cycle after firing off a tweet about Michigan's government sending mail-in ballot applications - he initially alleged it sent actual ballots, before deleting and replacing the erroneous tweet. Though he and his top spokeswoman, attorney Kayleigh McEnany, were unable to describe any actual crime, Mr Trump claimed the mailings were "done illegally."

He also threatened he might withhold federal aid dollars for the key 2020 battleground state, though he told reporters late Wednesday after he doubted such a step would be necessary. Ms McEnany was unable to explain during a press briefing what compelled her boss to make the threats.

"If people mail in ballots there's a lot of illegality," Mr Trump told reporters Wednesday afternoon. But he declined to offer a single piece of evidence to support his claim; voting experts have found very little fraud in US elections even though Republican officials continue making such claims as mail-in voting typically favours Democratic candidates.

Mr Trump's threats did not stop Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer from sending him a letter late Wednesday seeking federal disaster relief as her state faces what some experts have called a 500-year flood.

"Despite our efforts, local and state resources have been insufficient to respond to the situation. The availability of equipment and personnel is further limited due to the ongoing effects and response requirements of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic," Ms Whitmer wrote to the president.

She made her plea by telling Mr Trump that up to 10,000 people could be forced from their homes amid the coronavirus pandemic due to the flooding.

The flooding was caused by the failure of the Edenville Dam, which came after some areas of the state, a key 2020 presidential battleground, received up to eight inches of rain, which caused waters to crest another dam.

Specifically, the letter, first reported by MLive.com, requests help removing debris and some protective measures. Ms Whitmer identified mobile bridges and sandbags that the US Army Corps of Engineers might be able to provide.

"Therefore, additional federal assistance is required to protect public health, safety, and property," she wrote, "and to lessen or avert the threat of more severe and persisting impacts to the community.''