Thursday, February 5, 2026-President Donald Trump has ignited sharp concerns across the United States by publicly urging Republicans to “take over” and “nationalize” elections — a call that suggests shifting control of voting procedures from state authorities to the federal level.
On a recent conservative podcast, Trump said Republicans should “take over the voting in at least 15 places” to protect the party and address what he repeatedly claims are election irregularities, including unfounded allegations about undocumented immigrants voting illegally. This escalation in rhetoric comes as Trump and his allies continue to push election oversight changes ahead of the 2026 midterms.
Election officials from both parties have reacted strongly, warning that such a move would upend the Constitution’s long‑standing allocation of election administration to states.
Top election administrators in states like Maine and Pennsylvania emphasized that local and state authorities, not the federal government, are constitutionally responsible for running elections — and described Trump’s suggestions as alarming and contrary to democratic norms. Some state leaders are preparing legal resistance, arguing that any attempt to federalize election control would face immediate court challenges.
The backlash reflects deeper anxieties about federal encroachment on democratic processes and growing mistrust between state election offices and the federal government. Officials point to recent actions such as attempts to access voter data from numerous states and the controversial FBI seizure of election materials in Georgia as part of the backdrop fueling these concerns.
Many state and local leaders worry that the push to nationalize election oversight not only contradicts constitutional practice but could also undermine voter confidence and fuel further political polarization just months before crucial midterm elections.
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