Nov 1, 2026 · 14 min
Election disputes move from ballots to certification
Navigating the Midterms: From Legal Challenges to Voter Rights
The episode maps how federal intervention, eligibility checks, and legal challenges could reshape election administration and public confidence before the 2026 midterms.
- 1The Trump administration is testing federal influence over election rules, ballots, eligibility checks, and certification.
- 2Lawsuits in Alaska and California show how disputes can emerge before votes are counted and certified.
- 3Wendy Weiser says voters can protect their participation by checking registration and understanding their rights at the polls.
Don't miss
The discussion of two candidates named Dan Sullivan shows how a seemingly narrow ballot controversy can raise broader questions about voter confusion and ranked-choice elections.
The brief
The Trump administration is seeking a larger role in election administration ahead of the 2026 midterms, raising questions about legitimacy and possible disputes over results.
Louise Radnofsky examines lawsuits and subpoenas in Alaska and California, including allegations about noncitizen voting and efforts to challenge certifications before ballots are counted.
An Alaska race involving two candidates named Dan Sullivan illustrates how ballot-name confusion, litigation, and ranked-choice voting can collide in a closely watched contest.
The episode traces disputes through casting, counting, and certification, while covering federal monitors, immigration-data eligibility checks, and attempted mail-ballot restrictions blocked by the Supreme Court.
Brennan Center president Wendy Weiser argues that political interference can damage trust, but emphasizes that state and local officials still run elections and voters retain practical protections.
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