Federal authorities are ramping up efforts to exert control over elections, raising significant constitutional questions. The Trump administration's sweeping executive order on elections has been partially blocked by federal judges, but it's unclear whether the administration will introduce a second order with new provisions. Meanwhile, the Justice Department is suing multiple states in an attempt to obtain personal voter information, potentially creating an unprecedented national database.
Additionally, the federal government is planning a more significant role in vetting voters trying to register, while the US Supreme Court is expected to rule on a major voting rights case. These developments have major implications for this year's midterm elections and beyond.
One issue that will persist into 2026 is redistricting, with six states – representing over a quarter of the nation's House seats – having already redrawn their congressional districts for partisan gain. This process can lead to voter confusion, extra work for election officials, less competitive elections, and a less representative US House.
Texas is also expected to continue its push to remove non-citizens from the voter rolls, which could disenfranchise eligible voters. A proposed law that would require proof of citizenship to register to vote was ultimately failed but raised concerns about the accuracy of verified registrants' citizenship data.
Michigan's election landscape will be shaped by a high-stakes governorship and secretary of state contest, with implications for the state's election administration in the coming years. Wisconsin clerks are still lobbying for a bill to allow them to count ballots on the Monday before an election, but their efforts have been met with infighting in the Legislature.
In Pennsylvania, a long-standing debate over whether voters should be required to handwrite a date on their ballot return envelope may finally come to a head with the state Supreme Court's decision. However, the issue remains contentious and could be subject to new challenges or legislation before the midterms.
Additionally, the federal government is planning a more significant role in vetting voters trying to register, while the US Supreme Court is expected to rule on a major voting rights case. These developments have major implications for this year's midterm elections and beyond.
One issue that will persist into 2026 is redistricting, with six states – representing over a quarter of the nation's House seats – having already redrawn their congressional districts for partisan gain. This process can lead to voter confusion, extra work for election officials, less competitive elections, and a less representative US House.
Texas is also expected to continue its push to remove non-citizens from the voter rolls, which could disenfranchise eligible voters. A proposed law that would require proof of citizenship to register to vote was ultimately failed but raised concerns about the accuracy of verified registrants' citizenship data.
Michigan's election landscape will be shaped by a high-stakes governorship and secretary of state contest, with implications for the state's election administration in the coming years. Wisconsin clerks are still lobbying for a bill to allow them to count ballots on the Monday before an election, but their efforts have been met with infighting in the Legislature.
In Pennsylvania, a long-standing debate over whether voters should be required to handwrite a date on their ballot return envelope may finally come to a head with the state Supreme Court's decision. However, the issue remains contentious and could be subject to new challenges or legislation before the midterms.
i'm not sure if it's a good thing that there's more control over elections... like, shouldn't our votes just count for what they're worth? 
also, why do we need a national database of voter info? isn't that kinda creepy? 
and what's up with the redistricting process - can't we just have fairer districts where everyone has an equal say? 
texas's push to remove non-citizens from the rolls is just super unfair... i mean, who gets to decide who's a citizen anyway? 
. And now we're talking about a national database of personal voter info... yeah no thanks, sounds like a total recipe for disaster 
. I'm not saying the current system is perfect or anything, but can't we just focus on making sure every vote counts instead? 
. And what's next? Will they be asking for our social media history or something? 
. redistricting is already a disaster, now they wanna mess with voter rolls too? that's just gonna disenfranchise people who aren't even registered yet 
. and what's up with the 2nd executive order? are they trying to take away our right to vote altogether? 
federal judges might block it but i still got a bad feeling about this...
plus wisconsin is still trying to count ballots on monday lol what even is that 
we gotta stay vigilant and make our voices heard 
]
]
️ ]
anyway, have you tried those new popcorn flavors at the movies lately? i'm kinda loving the truffle one they just released... anyway, back to voting - it's crazy how some states are trying to make it harder for people to register and vote. like, what's up with texas wanting to remove non-citizens from the voter rolls? didn't we learn anything from those whole florida election debacle things? 
. These federal authorities thinking they can just exert control over elections is a major red flag 
. We need to stand up for our right to privacy and make sure our votes aren't being tampered with. And what about those six states that redrawn their districts for partisan gain? It's like they're trying to manipulate the system itself