Democratic AGs Prepare for Trump Election Meddling

Attorneys general are war-gaming strategies to combat potential voter suppression efforts ahead of the 2026 midterms.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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Democratic attorneys general across the country are bracing for potential voter suppression efforts by former President Trump and his allies in the lead-up to the 2026 midterm elections. They are preparing temporary restraining orders, monitoring Trump's rhetoric for clues about his plans, and coordinating multistate lawsuits to block any attempts to undermine mail-in voting or discount ballots that arrive after Election Day.

Why it matters

With control of Congress potentially hanging in the balance, Democratic AGs view protecting voting rights and election integrity as a top priority. They are particularly concerned about a repeat of Trump's efforts to sow doubt about the legitimacy of votes from Democratic-leaning areas like Detroit.

The details

Several Democratic AGs said they are alarmed by the FBI's seizure of voting records in Fulton County, Georgia, based on a referral from an attorney who worked with Trump to undermine the 2020 election results. They fear similar actions could be taken in other swing states. Democratic AGs in states that rely heavily on mail-in ballots are also girding for an assault on that voting method, which Trump has repeatedly tried to eliminate.

  • The Supreme Court is due to consider a case on ballot deadlines next month.
  • Democratic AGs will argue in a lower court next week in a multistate lawsuit seeking to permanently block portions of Trump's executive order.

The players

Keith Ellison

Attorney General of Minnesota, where an immigration enforcement surge earlier this year resulted in two deaths.

Dana Nessel

Democratic Attorney General of swing-state Michigan, who is concerned about efforts to undermine the integrity of Detroit elections.

Aaron Ford

Nevada Attorney General, who is co-leading a multistate lawsuit against Trump's executive order.

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What they’re saying

“If the president said, 'Look, I want my ICE people to protect American elections … go to all these polling places and stand out in front with guns,' I think they would do it.”

— Keith Ellison, Attorney General of Minnesota (Politico)

“The president and his administration know and understand that Democrats don't win statewide in Michigan without counting the Detroit vote. So of course Trump wants to undermine in people's minds the integrity of Detroit elections, even though that's not borne fruit whenever that has been investigated.”

— Dana Nessel, Democratic Attorney General of Michigan (Politico)

“Trump likes to sow chaos because he thinks it's going to throw people off their game. But he has met his match when it comes to the Nevada attorney general's office; he's met his match when it comes to the Democratic attorneys general.”

— Aaron Ford, Nevada Attorney General (Politico)

What’s next

Democratic AGs will argue in a lower court next week in a multistate lawsuit seeking to permanently block portions of Trump's executive order.

The takeaway

With the 2026 midterms looming, Democratic attorneys general are taking proactive steps to protect voting rights and election integrity in the face of potential voter suppression efforts by former President Trump and his allies. Their coordinated legal strategy aims to safeguard the democratic process and ensure all eligible voters can make their voices heard.