US Election Officials Prepare for Crisis as Trump Faces Midterm Interference Fears

Washington, D.C. — Two months before Americans head to the polls in the 2026 midterm elections, election officials across the United States are preparing for scenarios they once considered unlikely, including possible federal interference in the voting process.

Officials in states including California, Michigan and Wisconsin are developing contingency plans for potential federal demands for access to voting equipment and election records, the presence of federal agents at polling locations, legal challenges and disputes over election results.

The preparations come amid growing concern that the biggest threat to the November elections could come not only from foreign interference, cyberattacks or technical failures, but also from political pressure within the federal government.

Reuters interviewed more than 50 state and local election officials from both political parties, including a dozen secretaries of state. Nearly all said they are taking additional steps to prepare for political interference, misinformation, cyber threats and possible violence. 

Officials Prepare for Federal Intervention

Election administration in the United States is largely handled by state and local authorities. But President Donald Trump has pushed for a greater federal role in elections and has pursued investigations and legal actions related to alleged voter fraud.

His administration has also sought changes to mail-in voting and demanded voter information from states.

Trump and his administration say their actions are aimed at enforcing election laws and protecting election integrity. The White House has also accused Democrats of contributing to distrust in elections.

However, Reuters and independent studies have found that voting by noncitizens is extremely rare and unlikely to affect election outcomes. 

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The dispute has left election officials preparing for potential confrontations with federal authorities.

In Michigan, Deputy Secretary of State Aghogho Edevbie said the state has advised local election officials on how to respond if federal authorities seek access to voting records or equipment.

“We’re prepared,” Edevbie told Reuters, adding that legal counsel is available to local election officials who need it.

In Wisconsin, officials in Dane County have begun preparing possible court filings in case the federal government attempts to seize voting equipment or election records.

Legal Teams on Standby

Election officials in several states are hiring outside lawyers or training staff to deal with possible subpoenas, warrants and federal investigations.

The preparations have been influenced partly by the January FBI raid involving election records in Fulton County, Georgia.

Federal agents seized hundreds of boxes of 2020 election records as part of a voter-fraud investigation. Fulton County later challenged the seizure in court but lost its effort to recover the records while the investigation continues. 

Other jurisdictions are now seeking legal advice before similar situations arise.

In Michigan, officials have consulted private attorneys about protecting local election workers from potential federal scrutiny. In Philadelphia, election officials have also developed contingency plans in case federal changes to mail voting create disruptions.

Security Measures Intensify

Election officials are also worried about threats of harassment and violence.

In Durham County, North Carolina, officials have installed ballistic doors, bulletproof glass and panic buttons, while armed guards protect election facilities.

Poll workers at the county’s polling locations will also have tracker-equipped badges that can alert law enforcement to their location during an emergency.

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In Detroit, City Clerk Janice Winfrey has received around-the-clock police protection following death threats connected to false election-fraud claims made after the 2020 presidential election.

Election offices around the country are installing surveillance cameras, shatter-resistant window film, barriers and other security measures.

The preparations are not limited to Democratic areas.

In heavily Republican Irwin County, Georgia, election officials are giving poll workers panic buttons capable of transmitting photographs and GPS locations to election headquarters, police and emergency services. 

Misinformation and AI Raise New Concerns

Election officials say another major challenge will be misinformation.

False claims about voting machines, ballot fraud and polling locations can spread rapidly through social media, partisan networks and artificial intelligence tools.

Officials are preparing for scenarios involving fake videos, fabricated news reports and false text messages designed to confuse voters about where or how to vote.

AI has made it easier and cheaper to create convincing false information, while making it more difficult for voters to distinguish genuine material from fabricated content.

Some election offices are therefore increasing their public education campaigns and using social media to explain voting procedures directly to voters. 

Concerns Over Election Cybersecurity

Election officials are also worried about declining federal support for cybersecurity.

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, or CISA, has historically played an important role in helping state and local governments defend election systems against cyberattacks and foreign influence operations.

Reuters reports that the Trump administration cut nearly 1,000 CISA positions, roughly 30% of the agency’s workforce, and ended funding for a platform that shared real-time intelligence about election-related cyber threats with states.

Some state officials say they are now turning to private cybersecurity companies and partnerships with other states to fill the gap.

Pennsylvania Republican Secretary of State Al Schmidt previously warned that reducing federal election-security support could have serious consequences.

CISA, however, says it remains fully equipped to address national-security cyber threats and is “stronger than ever.” 

High Stakes for the 2026 Midterms

The November elections could determine whether Republicans maintain control of Congress or whether Democrats gain control of one or both chambers.

A Republican loss could significantly restrict Trump’s ability to advance his legislative agenda and would give Democrats greater power to conduct congressional oversight of the administration.

That has raised the political stakes surrounding election administration.

For election officials across the country, the priority is preparing for every possible scenario while maintaining public confidence in the voting process.

As one Georgia election supervisor told Reuters, local officials can handle many cybersecurity threats, but defending against a nation-state requires resources beyond what a small county can provide.

The coming months will test not only the security of America’s voting systems, but also the ability of state and federal institutions to manage political disputes without undermining public trust in elections.

Source: Reuters’ investigation published September 15, 2026.