Pennsylvania Officials Reject Trump's Call to Nationalize Elections

Gov. Josh Shapiro reaffirms states will maintain control over their own election operations.

Feb. 6, 2026 at 4:55pm

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Pennsylvania officials, including Gov. Josh Shapiro and Philadelphia elections commissioner Omar Sabir, have rejected President Donald Trump's call to nationalize elections, stating that the authority to run voting systems belongs to the states under the U.S. Constitution. They reaffirmed that states will maintain control over their own election operations, with Sabir telling voters, "You will be able to vote. I will put my life on the line."

Why it matters

This response from Pennsylvania officials is significant as it pushes back against Trump's suggestion that Republicans should "take over the voting" in at least 15 states. The officials are asserting the states' constitutional authority over elections, which could have major implications for the future of voting rights and election integrity.

The details

Trump made the comments about nationalizing elections on the Dan Bongino Show, saying the Republicans should "take over the voting." However, under the U.S. Constitution, elections are administered by the states. Pennsylvania officials, including Gov. Shapiro and Philadelphia elections commissioner Sabir, have firmly rejected Trump's call, reiterating that states will maintain control over their own election operations.

  • On Monday, Trump made the comments about nationalizing elections on the Dan Bongino Show.
  • On February 6, 2026, Pennsylvania officials publicly rejected Trump's call.

The players

Josh Shapiro

The governor of Pennsylvania who reaffirmed that states will maintain control over their own election operations.

Omar Sabir

The Philadelphia elections commissioner who told voters, "You will be able to vote. I will put my life on the line."

Donald Trump

The former president who called for Republicans to "take over the voting" in at least 15 states.

Lauren Cristella

The president and CEO of the Committee of Seventy, who said the SAVE America Act proposal could restrict access to voting.

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What they’re saying

“We're not going to have interference from the White House or anyone.”

— Josh Shapiro, Governor of Pennsylvania (6abc.com)

“You will be able to vote. I will put my life on the line.”

— Omar Sabir, Philadelphia elections commissioner (6abc.com)

“That's a problem that more than 21 million Americans don't have easy access to those documents.”

— Lauren Cristella, President and CEO of the Committee of Seventy (6abc.com)

What’s next

The SAVE America Act, which would require documentary proof of citizenship to register to vote and mandate identification at polling places, has passed the House and could face further debate and votes in the Senate.

The takeaway

This response from Pennsylvania officials underscores the ongoing tensions around election administration and voting rights, with states asserting their constitutional authority against efforts to nationalize or federalize the electoral process. The debate over the SAVE America Act and potential restrictions on voting access will likely continue to be a major political flashpoint.