Trump's Terms Local voting officials prepare for possible federal interference in the midterms
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Jan 12, 2026 Miles Parks, NPR's voting correspondent, shares insights on local officials' fears of federal interference in the upcoming midterms. He discusses how these officials perceive federal actions as potential threats, with Minnesota's Secretary of State highlighting urgent concerns. The conversation delves into worries about federal troops or ICE at polling places and the legal complexities surrounding data access for voting. Parks also touches on Trump's motives for influencing local election conduct, emphasizing the tension between state control and federal oversight.
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Officials Treat Federal Moves As Election Threats
- Local election officials across parties now plan for possible federal interference as a plausible threat.
- Officials treat potential federal actions like other unpredictable threats when gaming out scenarios.
Minnesota's Secretary Warns Of Federal Threat
- Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon described federal interference as a threat that election officials imagine and plan for.
- He and others worry about scenarios like federal troops at polling places despite legal limits.
Deployment Fears Could Suppress Voter Turnout
- Officials fear federal troop deployments or ICE presence at polls could suppress turnout by intimidating voters.
- The White House called such scenarios "baseless conspiracy theories" but did not fully rule them out.