In the lead-up to the 2026 midterms, former President Donald Trump is orchestrating a series of moves aimed at tightening federal control over elections, raising concerns among Democrats and voting rights advocates. Trump's efforts, which include firing key leaders of the federal Election Assistance Commission and pushing for photo identification and proof of citizenship to vote, are being viewed as an attempt to sway the election in favor of Republicans. This article delves into Trump's actions, their implications, and the broader context in which they are unfolding, offering a critical analysis of the former president's strategy and its potential impact on the upcoming elections.
Trump's Election Strategy
Trump's SAVE America Act, a major election bill, is at the heart of his campaign. The act, which requires documentary proof of citizenship and photo identification when registering for federal elections and voting, and sharply restricts mail voting nationwide, is seen by Democrats as a potential disenfranchisement of millions of their supporters. The bill, which has stalled in the Senate due to Democratic opposition, reflects Trump's broader strategy to take control of elements of the election apparatus through other means.
Firing the Election Assistance Commission
One of Trump's most controversial moves was firing the two remaining Democratic members of the federal Election Assistance Commission (EAC), Chairman Thomas Hicks and Benjamin Hovland. This action, which prompted the resignation of the remaining Republican commissioner, Christy McCormick, has been criticized by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer as a brazen attempt to seize control of elections. The EAC, established by Congress after the 2000 presidential election to help states improve election administration without federalizing elections, plays a crucial role in distributing federal election funds, maintaining the national mail voter registration form, testing and certifying voting systems, and offering guidance to state and local election officials.
The Broader Context
Trump's actions are part of a broader campaign focusing on elections. Since returning to office in January 2025, Trump and his appointees have pressed states to surrender voter registration databases to federal authorities, attempted to limit mail voting through other means, and launched federal investigations into Democratic election offices and local election officials for alleged voter fraud in the 2020 election. They have also sought and seized ballots and voting records through the Justice Department and FBI, and used executive authority to pressure states to adopt election procedures favored by his administration.
Concerns and Implications
Critics, including Democratic lawmakers and voting rights experts, express concern that Trump will ramp up efforts to alter and control voting equipment and obtain, centrally analyze, and control voter data from states. They warn that as Trump's poll numbers remain historically low, he will intensify his efforts to consolidate federal influence over institutions established to ensure U.S. elections remain independent of politics. The Justice Department's threats to arrest state election officials if non-citizens vote, and its efforts to obtain state voter rolls, have raised further alarm.
The Way Forward
As Trump's strategy unfolds, the question remains: What will be the impact on the 2026 midterms? Will his efforts to tighten federal control over elections sway the election in favor of Republicans? The answer lies in the hands of the American people, who will ultimately decide the outcome. However, one thing is clear: Trump's actions are raising profound concerns about political interference in the institutions that support our elections, and they demand an immediate explanation from the administration.
