Preparing for the Midterms: Election Officials Navigate a Shifting Landscape
State and local election officials across the United States are preparing for the upcoming midterm elections amid a complex environment involving changes in federal election security policy, court challenges to executive orders, and varying assessments of the state of American democracy. Multiple sources report that officials from both major political parties are planning for a range of scenarios, including potential federal legal actions, changes in information-sharing protocols, and the management of election security at polling places.
Federal Agency Roles and Official Assurances
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and ICE Presence
A senior Department of Homeland Security official has stated that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents will not be present at polling places during the midterm elections. Heather Honey, DHS Deputy Assistant Secretary for Election Integrity, conveyed this message during a call with state election officials.
"Any suggestion that ICE is going to be present at polling places is simply disinformation. There will be no ICE presence at polling locations."
— Heather Honey, DHS Deputy Assistant Secretary for Election Integrity
The statement followed a question from California Secretary of State Shirley Weber, who asked whether states would be notified of any immigration operations at polling sites. Federal law restricts the deployment of "troops or armed men" to polling places.
Some state officials expressed skepticism about the assurances. Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes stated he was not convinced, citing Honey's past involvement in the 2020 election review in Maricopa County. Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows also indicated she was not reassured about potential federal interference in state election sovereignty.
The call, which included representatives from the FBI, the Election Assistance Commission, the United States Postal Service, and the Department of Justice, was scheduled by the FBI to discuss midterm preparations. Some officials noted this was their first engagement with the current administration on election security in months. Participants reported that administration officials offered limited new information and did not directly address specific questions regarding state sovereignty in election administration.
Other Federal Interventions
Former President Donald Trump has issued an executive order aimed at altering election systems, which has largely been blocked by courts. Election officials from both parties note that the U.S. Constitution grants states control over election processes, with Congress setting guidelines for federal races.
The Department of Justice has made requests for access to voting machines, old ballots, and voter data. In one instance, a consultant in Colorado contacted clerks regarding access to voting machines. The White House denied authorizing these specific requests. Separately, a Department of Justice official contacted Missouri clerks with similar inquiries, and clerks declined the requests.
The Justice Department has also sued eight states that Mr. Trump lost in 2020, compelling them to provide their voter rolls. Al Schmidt, Republican Secretary of State of Pennsylvania, described this as a "concerning attempt to consolidate and overreach at the federal level."
Election Security and Local Policing
Police Presence at Polling Sites
Since the 2020 election, local law enforcement has taken on a larger role in assisting election officials with security. A Brennan Center for Justice survey found that 32% of local election officials reported experiencing threats, harassment, or abuse related to their job. 89% of election administrators plan to coordinate with at least one other agency for election security ahead of the 2026 midterms.
Police involvement includes responses to bomb threats, which rose to a record number during the 2024 election. In Green Bay, Wisconsin, Police Chief Chris Davis noted his department has adopted a year-round planning approach and training on election laws.
Voting rights advocates have expressed concern that visible police presence at polling sites could intimidate voters and suppress turnout. Some states require police at polls, while others prohibit it. Experts recommend law enforcement maintain a "light touch" at polling locations. Police presence is considered more acceptable at tabulation centers, which have faced protests and disruptions.
Changes in Federal Cybersecurity Support
Federal government involvement in election-related cybersecurity has decreased since Mr. Trump took office. The Department of Homeland Security reduced staff focused on election security and ended funding for the Elections Infrastructure Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EI-ISAC), which provided cybersecurity tools to election officials. The funding loss, attributed to DOGE cuts in 2025, has resulted in EI-ISAC membership dropping to less than 20% of previous levels, reducing collaboration among jurisdictions.
A bill to restore funding has been introduced by Senator Mark Warner but faces uncertain prospects.
Some election officials expressed concern about reduced notification of cyber threats. Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs noted that two years prior, DHS notified him of a county hack, leading to immediate state response. He expressed uncertainty about receiving similar notification under current circumstances. Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes stated he did not contact DHS' cyber agency after an online candidate portal was hacked, citing a lack of confidence in the agency's "capacity to collaborate in good faith or to prioritize national security over political theater."
Data Requests and Voter Roll Management
The Trump administration has developed a searchable national citizenship database and has encouraged states to use it to identify non-citizens on voter rolls. While some Republican election officials have utilized this system, others, including some Republicans and their Democratic counterparts, have expressed hesitation. Concerns include the system's effectiveness, handling of voter data, and legality under state laws.
Multiple local election officials from both parties told NPR they are avoiding sharing voter data or security information with DHS, fearing the information could be used against them. Matt Crane, a former Republican county clerk in Colorado, said he discourages cooperation with DHS, citing a lack of trust in data confidentiality.
Personnel Appointments and Information Dissemination
Heather Honey, appointed as DHS Deputy Assistant Secretary for Elections Integrity, has a background that includes engagement with grassroots groups focused on election integrity following the 2020 election. Matt Crane, a former Colorado county clerk, noted that Honey has a history of spreading election misinformation. Some officials told NPR they are avoiding sharing voter data with DHS due to concerns about data confidentiality.
Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs described the appointment as "a moon landing conspiracy theorist and flat earther offered a job at NASA."
Academic Perspectives on Democratic Health
Political scientists hold differing views on the state of democracy in the United States. Staffan I. Lindberg, director of Sweden's V-Dem Institute, states that the U.S. has become an "electoral autocracy." Steven Levitsky, a professor at Harvard University, suggests the U.S. has entered a "mild form of competitive authoritarianism," where elections occur but the ruling party employs tactics such as criticizing the press, disenfranchising voters, and threatening critics to gain an electoral advantage.
Other scholars do not describe Mr. Trump as a would-be autocrat. Jonathan Turley, a professor at George Washington University Law School, notes that the Trump administration has raised objections regarding perceived liberal bias in news organizations and universities. Kurt Weyland, who researches democracy and authoritarianism at the University of Texas at Austin, expressed confidence in the U.S. system's ability to withstand attempts to expand executive power, citing recent developments including public response to federal actions.