With the 2026 elections on the horizon, state and local voting officials from both major political parties are actively preparing for potential interference, particularly from the Trump administration. This preparation has been compared to planning for natural disasters, as officials express uncertainty about the nature of possible disruptions. Minnesota's Democratic Secretary of State, Steve Simon, emphasized the need for imaginative planning to address extreme scenarios, while Colorado's Republican clerk, Carly Koppes, highlighted the importance of strengthening relationships with local law enforcement to counter any interference efforts.

Former President Donald Trump has continued to propagate false claims regarding the electoral process and has issued an executive order aimed at implementing significant changes to the election system. Although this order has faced legal challenges, Trump has hinted at further executive actions. His administration is also investigating the circumstances surrounding his 2020 election loss while granting pardons to individuals involved in efforts to contest that outcome. This context has led election officials to anticipate a substantial influence from Trump in the electoral processes.

Election officials are particularly vigilant regarding potential executive actions that could alter voting procedures. The U.S. Constitution designates states as the primary authorities over their election processes, with Congress holding the power to set guidelines for federal elections. However, Trump's administration has explored fringe theories suggesting that he could exert control over how ballots are cast and counted. Recent discussions among Trump allies have included the idea of declaring a national emergency to justify federal intervention in elections, a notion that lacks legal support according to election experts.

Concerns have also been raised about the potential deployment of federal troops at polling places. Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs expressed that recent National Guard deployments have shifted his perspective on the plausibility of such actions. Trump has previously indicated a desire for federal law enforcement to monitor voting locations, and his former adviser Steve Bannon has suggested that Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents could patrol polling sites during the midterms. Legal experts assert that such interventions would be illegal, yet the lack of a clear federal disavowal of these actions leaves election officials uncertain about how to respond.

The Trump administration has appointed individuals with histories of spreading misinformation about elections to prominent positions, complicating the landscape of trusted sources for election information. This has raised alarms among local officials who fear their messages may be overshadowed by those with greater influence.

Additionally, the Department of Justice has made unprecedented requests for access to voting machines and voter data, raising concerns about federal overreach in state-controlled election processes. Some election officials have expressed apprehension about the implications of these actions, viewing them as attempts to consolidate power at the federal level.

The federal government's withdrawal from election cybersecurity efforts has left local election offices vulnerable to potential cyberattacks. Cuts to funding and personnel dedicated to election security have raised alarms among officials, who worry that adversaries may exploit these weaknesses. The lack of communication and collaboration with the Department of Homeland Security has further exacerbated these concerns, as officials question the agency's capacity to prioritize election security amidst political considerations.