In preparation for the November midterm elections, Democratic state attorneys general, alongside key officials and civic groups, are ramping up efforts to prevent any possible federal interference, particularly influenced by Donald Trump’s ongoing unfounded allegations of extensive voter fraud.

Cooperation Among State Officials

Since early 2023, a coalition of 24 Democratic attorneys general has been enhancing collaboration with nearly a dozen Democratic secretaries of state and multiple civic organizations. This strategic coordination occurs through weekly Zoom meetings and in-person tabletop drills aimed at addressing potential threats to electoral integrity.

This initiative is crucial, as secretaries of state oversee the electoral process and attorneys general uphold the laws governing these elections. These coordinated efforts are spearheaded by the Progressive State Leaders Committee (PSLC), the policy wing of the Democratic Attorneys General Association.

Concerns About Federal Involvement

The group of Democratic attorneys general has expressed particular apprehension regarding interference from the Department of Justice and other federal entities under Trump’s administration, especially in light of Trump’s repeated false claims regarding widespread voting fraud.

Washington State Attorney General Nick Brown remarked on the potential impediments posed by the administration, stating, “The justice department and the Trump administration were ‘the biggest adversary to a smooth election.’” He added that the continuing misinformation campaigns create significant challenges for state officials.

Recent Federal Actions Raising Alarm

Notably, the Department of Justice announced plans to deploy 1,000 poll monitors, a significant increase from the 289 monitors dispatched in 2022, prompting legal scrutiny from organizations like the NAACP over the deployment strategies.

In another contentious maneuver, the department has initiated lawsuits in 30 states to access unredacted voter rolls containing sensitive personal data, a move that has faced significant pushback from Democratic attorneys general, achieving victories in 26 separate cases where courts ruled in their favor.

Preparation for Potential Election Disruptions

To mitigate threats of federal intervention during the elections, Attorney General Brown has led proactive strategies that involve weekly Zoom conferences and tabletop exercises. These sessions are designed to prepare officials for various scenarios, including the possibility of ICE agents appearing at polling locations or ballots being improperly seized.

Additionally, Brown’s leadership in legal challenges against federal actions underscores the determination of state officials to protect the electoral process. They successfully halted Trump’s efforts to significantly alter voting procedures, as ruled by the Supreme Court.

Concerns of Misinformation and Election Integrity

The fears of intervention have been exacerbated by Trump’s insistence on inaccuracies regarding voter fraud, including allegations of noncitizen voting, a claim substantiated by only a handful of instances over several decades, as per the conservative Heritage Foundation.

Oregon’s Attorney General Dan Rayfield echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that Trump’s rhetoric has been targeted at disrupting electoral processes: “From day one, Trump has been taking dead aim at our elections.”

Looking Forward

With increasing coordination among state officials and civic organizations, the Democratic attorneys general aim to safeguard electoral integrity. Recent formations like the AGSOS Election Protection Pac and AGSOS Election Protection Action will further enhance funding and policy initiatives to counteract federal interference.

As Sean Rankin, president of the Democratic Attorneys General Association, noted, vigilance remains critical in anticipating potential federal actions, including “the concern that the administration will try to seize ballots.”