- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Voting Rights Advocates Vow to Protect Elections Amid Federal Overreach
Legal experts and civil rights groups say the president lacks authority to interfere with state-run elections, and they are prepared to challenge any unlawful attempts.
Feb. 23, 2026 at 7:07pm
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
As the 2026 elections approach, the federal government is attempting to exert more control over the electoral process, despite elections being primarily run by state governments. Legal experts and voting rights advocates say the president lacks the authority to make sweeping changes to state election systems and are prepared to challenge any unlawful federal interference through the courts.
Why it matters
Efforts to centralize control over elections and impose new voting requirements could disproportionately impact voters of color, who are less likely to have the necessary documentation. Voting rights groups warn that these tactics are aimed at suppressing the growing numbers of non-white voters and must be vigorously opposed to protect the integrity of American democracy.
The details
The president has issued executive orders and made statements suggesting he may try to cancel or nationalize elections, require proof of citizenship to vote, and prevent the use of absentee ballots. However, legal experts say the president has limited authority over elections, which are primarily run by state governments. Voting rights groups like the Campaign Legal Center and Asian Americans Advancing Justice are prepared to challenge any unlawful federal interference through the courts.
- In March 2025, the president issued an executive order attempting to involve federal agencies in elections, but it has not resulted in any concrete changes.
- In 2026, the president has continued to make statements about exerting more federal control over elections, despite lacking the legal authority to do so.
The players
Justin Levitt
Loyola Law School professor and former White House Senior Advisor on Democracy and Voting Rights.
Danielle Lang
Vice President for Voting Rights and the Rule of Law at the Campaign Legal Center, which is suing the Citizen and Immigration Services for banning voter registration activity at naturalization ceremonies.
John C. Yang
President and Executive Director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice, which has offered a toll-free number to help Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders navigate language issues when voting.
Andrea Centeno
DC Regional Counsel for the Mexican-American Legal Defense and Education Fund (MELDEF), which warns that efforts to require proof of citizenship and deploy ICE at polling sites disproportionately suppress voters of color.
What they’re saying
“We're used to, unfortunately, now describing things that the president can't do and then watching him do some of them without the authority to do those things.”
— Justin Levitt, Loyola Law School professor and former White House Senior Advisor on Democracy and Voting Rights
“The system actually works with a lot of belts and suspenders to make sure that people aren't unduly disenfranchised.”
— Justin Levitt, Loyola Law School professor and former White House Senior Advisor on Democracy and Voting Rights
“I really believe in the election officials across this country that they will not sit back and have their power taken from them.”
— Danielle Lang, Vice President for Voting Rights and the Rule of Law at the Campaign Legal Center
“Our democracy is just too important for us not to care about and not to stay informed about, and not to exercise that right to vote.”
— John C. Yang, President and Executive Director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice
What’s next
Voting rights groups are closely monitoring the situation and prepared to challenge any unlawful federal interference in the courts. They are also working to educate and empower voters, especially those from communities of color, to exercise their right to vote without fear or intimidation.
The takeaway
Despite attempts by the federal government to exert more control over elections, the power to administer elections remains primarily with state governments. Voting rights advocates are committed to protecting the integrity of the electoral process and ensuring all eligible voters can freely and safely cast their ballots.
