Trump administration faces court rebuke over midterm election interference

Summarised from 5 outlets · 7 reports · Updated 31 Oct, 20:27 · Archive

Federal judges have blocked Trump administration efforts to intimidate election officials and segregate ballots, saying they risk disenfranchising lawful voters.

Americans will vote on 3 November in midterm elections that will determine control of the House of Representatives and Senate, as well as governorships in 36 states. The results could significantly affect the final two years of Donald Trump's presidency.

The Trump administration has attempted multiple strategies to interfere in the election process. These include collecting detailed voter roll information from nearly every state, seeking to segregate ballots in California, and filing a lawsuit to stop election certification in Alaska, where a US Senate race is hotly contested. The administration has repeatedly claimed that large numbers of noncitizens are voting in US elections, despite evidence showing this is exceedingly rare. Voting in US elections is reserved for citizens and already requires identification; any noncitizens who attempt to vote can face fines, prison or deportation.

Federal courts have moved to block these efforts. On Friday, a federal judge in California issued an order rebuking the government for its 'campaign to intimidate, threaten, and coerce state and local officials and employees who are engaged in administering the ongoing midterm 2026 election'. U.S. District Judge Trina Thompson wrote that although the administration claims its actions are designed to stop unlawful voting by noncitizens, 'their actions are likely to have the effect of interfering with election administration and disenfranchising lawful voters'.

The order commands federal agencies to stop threatening election officials with criminal prosecution. The same evening, a federal appeals court in California blocked the administration's efforts to segregate 20,000 ballots, with another judge warning such action would 'wreak havoc' on elections in the state. The administration could pursue these cases to the Supreme Court.

These legal battles have created concerns among voters and experts. Jonathan Diaz, director for voting advocacy and partnerships at the Campaign Legal Center, said: 'The long-term risks I think are very significant, but for these midterms in particular – even if he hasn't been successful in changing the rules or in coercing state and local election officials to do what he wants – it's created an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty.' An AP-NORC poll found that only 55 per cent of Democrats said they are confident the final count after the midterm will be accurate, compared to 38 per cent of Republicans.

Experts differ on the likelihood of the administration's interference efforts succeeding. Ned Foley, a professor at Ohio State University and expert on disputed elections, said: 'I put the probability of these impactful nightmare scenarios materialising at under 50%, so I'm not expecting them to make a difference.' However, voting lawyers and democracy groups are taking the potential for interference seriously, particularly given the attack on the Capitol on 6 January 2021. Foley added that 'there are risks of weird things happening, and you need to pay attention to them even if the risk is rather low'.

How it is being reported

• A cure for Trump? Why Democratic doctors are running in the 2026 midtermsDemocratic doctors aim to convert the backlash against the Trump administration’s health policies into midterm votes.Al Jazeera · 31 Oct, 17:19
• We visited five of America's key midterm bellwethers. This is what they predict for November 3President Trump's name is not on the ballot, but it might as well be. Voters in bellwether counties cross the nation are largely treating the midterms as a referendum on him.Daily Mail · 31 Oct, 15:34
• How Trump and his allies seek to interfere the US midterm electionsThe administration’s efforts have raised concerns among experts about potential disruptions after election day Donald Trump is waging a brazen effort to interfere with voting in this year’s midterm elections, escalating concerns that the federal government will try to slow down certification of election results – a strategy that could create chaos when the new Congress is seated next year. Experts are certain the administration’s efforts to subvert America’s elections will not work. And some have bemoaned “fearmongering” about far-fetched scenarios that are unlikely to go anywhere in court.…The Guardian · 31 Oct, 14:00
• Trump plans midterm tele-rally blitz from Mar-a-Lago after security upgrade with anti-missile defenses: Live updatesNearly 50 million Americans have already voted as Trump prepares for telerally blitz in final weekend before Election DayIndependent World · 31 Oct, 13:28
• Affordability, AI and Iran: Americans on the key issues guiding their midterm votesGuardian readers share their concerns and disillusionment with the political climate under Trump as elections loom Millions of Americans will head to the polls on 3 November in elections that will determine control of the Republican-held House of Representatives and Senate, as well as the governorships of 36 states. The midterms come amid mounting public frustration over issues ranging from the rising cost of living and immigration to the climate crisis, artificial intelligence, big tech and the US’s overseas wars. Donald Trump’s approval rating has fallen to 36% , according to a New York…The Guardian · 31 Oct, 13:00
• Election integrity, extremism and Pete Hegseth: nine voters on the US midterm electionDays away from a national verdict on Trump 2.0, we check in with nine midterm voters across the US and the political spectrum US voters will soon deliver a national verdict on the second presidency of Donald Trump . On 3 November, millions of Americans will vote in midterm elections to decide control of the House of Representatives and Senate, as well as the governorships in 36 states and state legislatures across the country. The results could have a huge impact on Trump’s final two years in office. Our reporters have interviewed nine voters across the country and the political spectrum…The Guardian · 31 Oct, 11:00
• 'Atmosphere of fear': Trump moves to curtail voting rights ahead of the midtermsAmericans vote on November 3 in midterm elections that could see Republicans lose control of Congress, endangering US President Donald Trump's legislative agenda. Under the US Constitution, elections are organized by the respective states – but that has not halted US President Donald Trump from trying to wield his influence ahead of the vote.France 24 · 31 Oct, 09:40

In this story: Donald Trump · Joe Biden · Trina Thompson · Jonathan Diaz · Campaign Legal Center · United States · California

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