US midterm elections: What election officials fear Trump might do before and after Election Day | Today’s news
US President Donald Trump could disrupt the 2026 midterm elections with a range of actions, from election fraud allegations and a federal investigation to immigration enforcement near the polls and disputes over election results, according to a Reuters investigation.
Reuters said it interviewed more than 50 election officials, election experts and election lawyers and reviewed Trump’s public statements, court filings and actions by federal agencies to identify nine potential flashpoints before and after Election Day.
November’s midterm elections will determine control of the US Congress and several key state offices.
Here are nine key risks to the US midterm elections identified by a Reuters investigative report.
1. Trump alleges election fraud or compromised voting machines
Trump could renew unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud, illegal voting or rigged voting machines. Reuters noted that similar allegations after the 2020 election fueled efforts to overturn his defeat and led to harassment of election workers. Experts say such claims could trigger legal challenges, even if they are subsequently disproved.
2. Put pressure on election officials to change or cancel the results
The administration could pressure state officials, legislators, or election authorities to reject certified results or delay certification based on allegations of fraud. Reuters cited Trump’s efforts to overturn his 2020 defeat, including his call to Georgia’s secretary of state to find enough votes to overturn the result.
3. Confiscation of ballots or voting equipment
Federal agents could apply for court orders or subpoenas to obtain ballots, voting machines and election records. Such a seizure could disrupt vote counting, compromise the supply chain and delay certification. Reuters cited an FBI raid in January at election offices in Fulton County, Georgia, where agents seized records from the 2020 election.
4. Federal election monitors vote interference
The Justice Department plans to deploy 1,000 election observers, nearly doubling the 590 deployed in 2024. While the department says they will protect voting rights and ensure compliance with federal law, some officials worry that the observers could overstep their traditional role by seeking access to voting equipment or talking to voters.
5. ICE presence near polling stations
Immigration enforcement operations near polling places could discourage people from voting, especially in immigrant communities and Democratic-leaning areas. Legal experts say deploying armed federal agents directly at polling places would likely violate federal law, although immigration agents could conduct operations nearby.
6. Units deployed in polling stations
Trump could try to use the Sedition Act to justify military deployment by citing alleged riots or election-related interference. Experts warn that soldiers near polling stations could intimidate voters and suppress turnout. Federal laws limit military involvement in domestic law enforcement and prohibit voter intimidation.
7. Declaration of a state of emergency
Trump could declare a national emergency over alleged voter fraud or foreign interference to justify greater federal involvement in elections, possibly including requirements for hand-counting of ballots. Legal experts say the extraordinary powers would not allow him to take over the administration of elections, which are largely under state power, but such a move could trigger lawsuits and delays.
8. Federal Investigations and Charges Against Election Officials
The Justice Department could investigate or prosecute election administrators for alleged failures to prevent noncitizens from voting or maintain accurate voter rolls. Officials worry that subpoenas, interviews and document requests could drain resources and intimidate election workers, even without a conviction.
9. Congress refuses to settle election winners
Republican congressional leaders could face pressure to delay or challenge the placement of Democratic winners in hotly contested races. Although legal scholars believe outright seat rejections of certified winners are unlikely to succeed, delayed certifications and unresolved disputes could leave seats unfilled when a new Congress convenes on Jan. 3, potentially affecting control of the House.
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