threat 1 - The SAVE America Act
The SAVE America Act
One of the biggest election-related threats now in the news is the SAVE America Act, a bill backed by Trump and passed by the House in February 2026. It would require documentary proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote in federal elections and would add stricter identification requirements for voting, including by mail. Critics argue that it could disenfranchise eligible voters who do not have easy access to passports, birth certificates, or other qualifying documents. The bill faces difficult odds in the Senate, but it remains a major pressure point in the national election debate.
threat 2 - Fear and Intimidation Around Polling Places
Fear and Intimidation Around Polling Places
There has been widespread alarm about the possibility of federal immigration enforcement being used in ways that could intimidate voters, especially immigrant communities and mixed-status families. Although a DHS official told election administrators in February 2026 that ICE agents would not be stationed at polling places, Democratic-led states and election officials have still been preparing for scenarios involving voter intimidation. Those fears have been heightened by visible ICE patrols at airports and aggressive immigration enforcement actions elsewhere
threat 3 - Calls to “Nationalize” or Take Over Elections
Calls to “Nationalize” or Take Over Elections
Trump has publicly called for Republicans or the federal government to “nationalize” or “take over” voting in certain places, despite the fact that U.S. elections are primarily run by states and local jurisdictions. Those comments have raised serious concerns about federal overreach, political interference, and attempts to override local election authority. Even talk of a federal takeover can erode public trust and create confusion about who controls elections in America.
threat 4 - Government Seizure or Control of Election Records
Government Seizure or Control of Election Records and Voter Data
A particularly alarming example is what happened in Fulton County, Georgia, where the FBI seized 2020 election ballots and records in January 2026. Fulton County has challenged the seizure in court, arguing that it was based on discredited fraud claims and represented an extraordinary intrusion into local election administration. Critics warn that federal control over election records or voter data could be used to pressure local officials, revive false fraud narratives, and interfere with election management ahead of future contests.