Federal vs. State Election Authority Debates
The ACLU and ACLU of New Jersey intervened on March 5, 2026, in a Department of Justice lawsuit against New Jersey, alleging the DOJ is attempting to build a national voter database without congressional authorization and improperly question state voter rolls. As of March 5, 2026: The DOJ has sued 30 states for failing to provide full voter registration lists, with Attorney General Pamela Bondi stating, "Accurate, well-maintained voter rolls are a requisite for the election integrity that the American people deserve." This comes amid reports that former President Trump is considering declaring a national emergency to expand presidential authority over elections, including provisions for voter re-registration, restricted mail-in voting, and mandated hand-counting, which Mississippi Secretary of State Michael Watson called a "terrible idea." The FBI seized over 650 boxes of Fulton County ballots and other 2020 election materials on January 28, 2026, based on information from election skeptics, leading to a federal judge ordering mediation between Fulton County and the U.S. government.
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16 updates
2026
16 updatesThe ACLU and ACLU of New Jersey are intervening in a Department of Justice lawsuit against New Jersey to defend voter privacy. They allege the DOJ is attempting to build a national voter database without congressional authorization and improperly question state voter rolls. This action highlights ongoing legal challenges to federal efforts to access state voter data.
Mississippi Secretary of State Michael Watson stated that former President Trump's idea to 'nationalize' elections is a 'terrible idea,' emphasizing the U.S. Constitution's division of powers. Watson's comments come as Trump continues to advocate for greater federal control over voting processes.
A draft executive order reportedly circulating would allow President Trump to declare a national emergency to expand presidential authority over elections. This draft includes provisions for voters to re-register for the 2026 election, restrict mail-in voting, mandate hand-counting of results, and require voter ID with proof of citizenship.
via fairvote.org
The Federal Bureau of Investigation seized over 650 boxes of Fulton County ballots and other 2020 election materials on January 28, 2026. This action was reportedly based on information from election skeptics, including a member of the State Election Board who had advocated for investigations into Fulton County's 2020 election. The seizure has fueled proposals for the sole use of physical ballots.
via The Southerner
The U.S. Department of Justice has filed lawsuits against five additional states, including West Virginia, Kentucky, New Jersey, Oklahoma, and Utah, for failing to provide their full voter registration lists. This action escalates a campaign by the DOJ to access voter roll information, bringing the total number of states sued to 30. Attorney General Pamela Bondi stated, "Accurate, well-maintained voter rolls are a requisite for the election integrity that the American people deserve."
Former President Donald Trump has called for Republicans to "nationalize the voting," asserting federal control over election processes, which is constitutionally reserved for states. Concerns have also been raised that the Trump administration might use immigration enforcement actions near polling places during the 2026 congressional elections, despite assurances from the Department of Homeland Security that ICE agents are not planning operations targeting polling locations.
Donald Trump is reportedly considering declaring a national emergency to gain more power over election administration, potentially including seizing voting machines. This suggestion comes after the FBI seized election materials from Fulton County, Georgia. Legal experts believe such actions would face immediate legal challenges.
Legal experts argue that a draft executive order by former President Trump, intended to declare a national emergency and grant him broad powers over elections, would be unconstitutional. The order reportedly includes provisions for voter re-registration, restricted mail-in voting, and mandated hand-counting. Additionally, former DOJ officials allege the FBI used a faulty warrant to seize 2020 election records in Fulton County, Georgia, as part of an investigation into potential election handling deficiencies.
via cato.org
A federal judge has ordered mediation between Fulton County and the U.S. government concerning the FBI's seizure of election records, with a March 18 deadline for progress reports. The Justice Department has also sued five additional states for failing to produce voter rolls, bringing the total to 29 states and the District of Columbia. Fulton County claims the records were 'improperly seized' based on 'flagrantly misleading' fraud claims.
President Trump is reportedly circulating a draft executive order to declare a national emergency based on unsubstantiated claims of Chinese interference in the 2020 election. This move would grant him broad powers over election processes, bypassing Congress. Allies are circulating the draft order, which is fueled by his fixation on claims of widespread voter fraud.
via MSN
Former President Donald Trump stated that Democrats can only win elections through cheating, asserting their policies are so poor that fraud is their sole path to victory. He urged the Senate to pass the SAVE Act, a bill requiring proof of U.S. citizenship for voter registration, arguing that opposition to voter ID laws stems from a desire to cheat.
via Mediaite
President Donald Trump has urged Republicans to "nationalize" voting, suggesting federal authorities take over election administration in at least 15 states. He claims Democrats "want to cheat" and advocates for measures like photo identification and proof of citizenship for voter registration. These calls come amid ongoing concerns about election integrity and Trump's previous actions regarding election mechanics.
An emboldened President Trump has shown an increased eagerness to use federal powers to influence election mechanics, leading to fears that the midterms will not be free and fair. The FBI seized 2020 election ballots from a Georgia election center, and Trump praised the agents involved.
Democratic state attorneys general are preparing for potential election interference by Donald Trump in the 2026 midterms, conducting "war games" to counter scenarios where Trump might attempt to block Democrats from regaining control of the House of Representatives. These preparations include anticipating extreme actions such as the Trump administration ordering the seizure of ballots and voting machines. The AGs are preparing for potential interference by President Donald Trump in the upcoming 2026 midterm elections.
The FBI's seizure of Fulton County election materials was based on years-old fraud claims, according to an unsealed affidavit. Meanwhile, Trump allies are circulating a draft executive order to declare a national emergency on elections, citing Chinese interference in the 2020 election as justification to ban mail-in ballots and voting machines. These actions occur amidst ongoing DOJ lawsuits against states for voter roll data and criticism of federal election control proposals.
The Trump administration escalated its election interference by seizing 2020 voting records in Georgia, following the issuance of confidential agreements concerning states' voter data.
2025
3 updates
2025
3 updatesThe Justice Department's Civil Rights Division has filed federal lawsuits against six states for failing to produce their statewide voter registration lists upon request. Attorney General Pamela Bondi stated that accurate voter rolls are the cornerstone of fair elections and that the department will continue litigation until states comply with basic election safeguards. This action is part of a broader pattern of efforts to influence election mechanics.
The Trump administration filed a statement of interest in a case involving a former Colorado election clerk, Tina Peters, who was convicted of granting unauthorized access to voting equipment. The DOJ indicated it was evaluating if her prosecution was politically motivated, and the president directed the DOJ to take action for her release.
A report highlighted that the Trump administration was launching a concerted drive to undermine American elections, including attempting to rewrite election rules, targeting election officials, and retreating from federal protections for voters. This was seen as an unprecedented and potentially illegal power play.
2024
1 update
2024
1 updateExperts noted that the efforts to subvert the 2024 election were more organized, strategic, and coordinated than in 2020. Trump and his allies focused on narratives of non-citizen voting and pre-emptively denied the possibility of a fair election if he lost.
2023
1 update
2023
1 updateDonald Trump and 18 co-defendants were indicted in Fulton County, Georgia, for their alleged efforts to overturn the state's 2020 election results. This indictment was part of a broader investigation into election subversion.
2021
1 update
2021
1 updateTrump's efforts to overturn the 2020 election culminated in a riot at the U.S. Capitol, as his supporters stormed the building to protest the certification of Joe Biden's victory. This event led to Trump's second impeachment.
2020
2 updates
2020
2 updatesThe U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear a case supported by Trump and his allies, which sought to invalidate electoral votes in four states, marking a significant legal setback for his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results.
Following the 2020 presidential election, Donald Trump and his campaign initiated an unprecedented effort to overturn the results, filing over 60 lawsuits in multiple states. These legal challenges, which largely failed due to lack of evidence, aimed to contest election processes, vote counting, and certification.
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