Election Scholar Dismisses Fears of 2026 Midterm Interference
Justin Levitt argues that widespread voter intimidation and ballot seizures are unlikely during the 2026 midterm elections due to strong official preparation.
Election law scholar Justin Levitt expects the 2026 U.S. midterm elections to proceed normally despite public anxiety over potential federal interference. Levitt argues that widespread voter intimidation is logistically improbable and that seizing ballots while results are pending would be unconstitutional.
Addressing concerns over ballot security, Levitt noted that previous seizures in Fulton County, Georgia, and Riverside, California, involved old ballots from completed elections rather than active results. In the Riverside case, the Supreme Court of California ruled the seizure by local sheriffs was absolutely and flatly illegal.
Levitt attributes the current climate of fear to the president fostering concern about the democratic process. However, he maintains that state and local election officials are more prepared than ever to handle both realistic and outlandish scenarios, ensuring the integrity of the system depends on officials and citizens rather than the president.
