Politics

Trump administration pushes to expand federal control over midterm elections

Reports describe staff departures, voter roll lawsuits, a blocked mail-voting rule, and a suit seeking to halt Alaska certification.

Updated Oct 31, 2026 · 16:14 UTC2 reports

The short version

At least 75 nonpartisan career election officials have left federal posts, and about two dozen Trump appointees have been hired.[ProPublica]
The Justice Department has sued 30 states and D.C. for unredacted voter rolls, and every decided case so far has been dismissed.[ProPublica]
The Supreme Court blocked Postal Service mail-voting rules at least until after November, while a Justice Department suit seeks to halt Alaska certification.[ProPublica · The Guardian]

At least 75 nonpartisan career officials in election integrity and safety roles have been fired or left federal government.[ProPublica]
Roughly two dozen Trump appointees, many tied to the election-denial movement, have been hired into those areas.[ProPublica]
Since September 2025, the Justice Department has sued 30 states and the District of Columbia seeking unredacted voter rolls.[ProPublica]
Every DOJ voter-roll lawsuit that a federal judge has decided has been dismissed, according to ProPublica's reporting.[ProPublica]
The Supreme Court blocked Postal Service rules that would have governed mail-in ballot delivery, at least until after November.[ProPublica]
On October 13, the Justice Department gave Los Angeles County officials a USB drive that purported to list 20,000 noncitizens on voter rolls.[The Guardian]
On October 15, the Justice Department sued California seeking a court order to sequester ballots, and Judge David O. Carter ruled against the government.[The Guardian]
On October 23, the Justice Department sued Alaska and asked a judge to block certification pending an investigation into certain votes.[The Guardian]

The Alaska certification case is pending, and its outcome is unknown.[The Guardian]
Claims of widespread noncitizen voting are allegations; the USB drive's list is described as purported and not verified.[The Guardian]

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.