Trump Calls for Federal Control of Elections, Sparking Alarm Among State and Local Officials

Demands to 'nationalize' elections raise concerns about potential federal interference in state-run voting processes.

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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President Donald Trump's recent calls to 'nationalize' elections have state and local election officials across the country bracing for potential federal interference and disruption of their voting processes. Trump's remarks, along with actions by the Justice Department and other federal agencies, have prompted concerns that the administration may seek to exert more control over how states administer their elections, despite the Constitution's clear delegation of that responsibility to the states.

Why it matters

Trump's push to federalize elections represents a significant challenge to the longstanding principle of state control over the administration of elections, which is a core tenet of American democracy. State and local officials fear that federal intervention could undermine public confidence in the integrity of elections, disrupt voting processes, and potentially disenfranchise eligible voters.

The details

The Trump administration has taken a number of steps over the past year to try to assert federal authority over state-run elections, including demanding that states provide unredacted voter rolls containing sensitive personal information. Federal agencies have also sought to deploy law enforcement personnel near polling places and seized ballots from an elections warehouse in Georgia. These actions, combined with Trump's recent calls to 'nationalize' elections, have state and local officials concerned about how they will respond to potential federal interference in their election processes.

  • On March 6, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order attempting to impose a requirement that voters prove their citizenship in federal elections.
  • On January 24, 2026, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi sent a letter to Minnesota's governor demanding the state provide its full, unredacted voter rolls to the Justice Department.
  • On February 4, 2026, President Trump called on Republicans to 'nationalize' elections and take control of voting in at least 15 places.
  • On February 5, 2026, President Trump reiterated his view that states are 'agents' of the federal government in elections and suggested the federal government should take over vote counting.

The players

Tobias Read

Oregon's Democratic Secretary of State, who said the state must be prepared for everything as the Trump administration becomes increasingly desperate about being held accountable by voters.

Shenna Bellows

Maine's Democratic Secretary of State, who said she would mail the White House a pocket Constitution because 'it seems they've lost their copy.'

Scott McDonell

The Democratic clerk in Dane County, Wisconsin, who said the potential for federal law enforcement presence on Election Day is factoring into the county's planning.

Barb Byrum

The Democratic clerk in Ingham County, Michigan, who said election administrators are preparing for scenarios that now include 'the president of the United States meddling in elections.'

Derek Bowens

The nonpartisan Director of Elections in Durham County, North Carolina, who said local officials are preparing to prevent potential 'intrusion' into the electoral process.

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What they’re saying

“I don't think we can put anything past this administration. I think they're increasingly desperate, increasingly scared about what's going to happen when they are held accountable by American voters. So we have to be prepared for everything.”

— Tobias Read, Oregon Secretary of State (Stateline)

“Oh, hell no. I would mail the White House a pocket Constitution, because it seems they've lost their copy.”

— Shenna Bellows, Maine Secretary of State (Social media)

“I think it does affect our planning as far as, what if there is some sort of federal law enforcement presence on Election Day or before or after? So that definitely factors into our planning.”

— Scott McDonell, Dane County Clerk (Stateline)

“Now, unfortunately, it's turning into the president of the United States meddling in elections. We will be prepared. Voters will hopefully not see anything different at their polling locations. … But we need to be diligent.”

— Barb Byrum, Ingham County Clerk (Stateline)

“I'm not at liberty to divulge what that would be in terms of security protocols, but that's definitely in the forefronts of our minds. I would be working with local emergency services officials 'to make sure we're positioned to ensure everyone that is eligible has unfettered access to the ballot box.”

— Derek Bowens, Durham County Director of Elections (Stateline)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow the Justice Department to obtain unredacted voter rolls from the states.

The takeaway

Trump's push to federalize elections represents a significant threat to the longstanding principle of state control over election administration, which is a cornerstone of American democracy. State and local officials are bracing for potential federal interference and disruption of their voting processes, raising concerns about the integrity of elections and the potential disenfranchisement of eligible voters.