Frequently asked questions about the 2026 midterm elections

In its FAQ, Protect Democracy says that between the Trump administration's rhetoric and new anxieties about election interference, it can be difficult for voters to know what to think about the security of the 2026 midterms.[1]The organisation says that the president has no lawful authority over how states run elections, and the courts have repeatedly said so.[1] It adds that rulings like Louisiana v. Callais have weakened long-standing voting-rights protections, and the administration has spent the year testing the system's limits.[1]Protect Democracy also writes that Trump has made it clear that his top priorities for the midterms include eliminating or restricting voting-by-mail.[1] The group notes that nearly a quarter of voters cast their ballots by mail[1] in 2024. It says that in all 50 states and Puerto Rico, mail-in and overseas ballots are subject to a series of security measures[1].In a separate guide, Protect Democracy says that "courts have blocked most of the president's election executive orders"[2] and that the SAVE Act did not pass.The ACLU reports that the Justice Department has lost every case decided so far[3] when it sued states that refused to hand over voter data.According to TIME, Election Day is Nov. 3, 2026[4]. TIME also reports that the Trump administration has not said that immigration enforcement officers would be at the polls this November, but it also has not ruled out the possibility.[4]