Election Interference
Interference in free, fair, and accessible elections; dismantled safeguards and security; disenfranchisement; circumvention of constitutionally prescribed presidential term limits
Why This Score
This category scores 7/10, placing it in the High tier (7-8): “Systematic disenfranchisement efforts, federal intervention in voting procedures, defiance of election outcomes”
- 1.Trump signed EO 'Ensuring Citizenship Verification and Integrity in Federal Elections' (March 31) directing USPS to gatekeep mail-in ballots via state-provided 'eligible citizen' lists; ACLU filed immediate legal challenge calling it 'likely unconstitutional' (NPR/Votebeat)
- 2.DOJ voter roll lawsuits expanded to 30+ states including red states like Idaho; three federal courts dismissed cases but DOJ appealed all three; demands include full voter registration lists, ballots, and access to voting equipment (Democracy Docket/Brennan Center)
- 3.Florida, South Dakota, and Utah enacted proof-of-citizenship laws for voter registration; 14 states advancing similar legislation; Brennan Center estimates 21 million Americans lack required documents (Ballotpedia/NPR)
Score History
Multiple states advanced proof-of-citizenship requirements; DOJ began requesting voter registration files from states
Cumulative effect of 108 restrictive laws since 2020; 28 new restrictions taking effect before 2026 midterms; Trump called for 'nationalizing' voting
March 31 EO directing USPS to gatekeep mail ballots; DOJ expanded voter roll demands to 30+ states; three states enacted proof-of-citizenship laws
Scoring Rubric
Normal democratic activity, minor procedural disputes
Elevated litigation, some restrictive laws passed, redistricting concerns
Significant restrictions enacted, credible interference allegations, election security dismantled
Systematic disenfranchisement efforts, federal intervention in voting procedures, defiance of election outcomes
Overt attempts to overturn results, term limit violations, election infrastructure compromised
Key Findings
Trump signed EO 'Ensuring Citizenship Verification and Integrity in Federal Elections' (March 31) directing USPS to gatekeep mail-in ballots via state-provided 'eligible citizen' lists; ACLU filed immediate legal challenge calling it 'likely unconstitutional' (NPR/Votebeat)
DOJ voter roll lawsuits expanded to 30+ states including red states like Idaho; three federal courts dismissed cases but DOJ appealed all three; demands include full voter registration lists, ballots, and access to voting equipment (Democracy Docket/Brennan Center)
Florida, South Dakota, and Utah enacted proof-of-citizenship laws for voter registration; 14 states advancing similar legislation; Brennan Center estimates 21 million Americans lack required documents (Ballotpedia/NPR)
Related Executive Actions
View all →Scenario Outlook
All scenarios →Creates chaos in election administration months before midterms
Preserves mail-in ballot access for 2026 midterms; court reaffirms limits on executive election interference
Millions of voters fail to receive mail ballots; massive disenfranchisement in states reliant on vote-by-mail
Foreign actors exploit gap in cyber defenses to interfere with election infrastructure
Party primaries become loyalty tests rather than policy debates; narrows range of acceptable dissent