The Trump administration and its allies are engaging in a multipronged effort to collect data on voters and scrutinize voting equipment, raising alarms among local and state election officials about potential federal interference ahead of the pivotal 2026 midterm elections. A notable focus of these activities is Colorado, a state that Trump lost by a significant margin of 11 points in the 2020 election. Here, a well-connected consultant claims to be collaborating with the White House, posing questions to county clerks about allowing the federal government or third parties to conduct physical inspections of their election equipment.
Traditionally, federal agencies have offered technical support and cybersecurity guidance to election officials, but they have not previously conducted physical examinations of voting equipment due to strict election laws that limit access. This unprecedented approach has left many local officials uneasy about the implications of federal oversight.
In a separate but related effort, the Justice Department has made the rare request for copies of voter rolls from at least nine states, with two states reportedly complying. Additionally, two DOJ attorneys have solicited information about voters in an attempt to implement a Trump executive order aimed at shifting some electoral authority from the states to the federal government. Several key components of this executive order, including changes to mail ballot deadlines and requirements for voters to prove their citizenship, have been temporarily blocked by the courts.
Election officials from both major parties are increasingly alarmed by this push, which is fueled by Trump’s unfounded claims that the 2020 election was fraudulent. Many state officials fear that the administration might attempt to create a national database containing personal information about voters or impose regulations that could disenfranchise eligible voters.
David Becker, executive director of the nonprofit Center for Election Innovation and Research, emphasizes that this represents an extraordinary expansion of federal power over state election processes. He warns that if accepted by state officials, such actions could be exploited by future administrations, regardless of political affiliation.
A Justice Department spokesperson declined to provide comments on these activities, and the White House has not clarified its relationship with Jeff Small, the consultant contacting Colorado clerks. However, the White House did affirm that President Biden is committed to ensuring that those on voter rolls are indeed citizens.
In Colorado, Republican election officials have received communications from Small, who has a history of working with members of Congress, including his recent role as chief of staff to Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colorado). During these discussions, Small has asserted that he is working with the Trump administration to uphold election integrity and promote Trump’s electoral agenda.
Fremont County clerk Justin Grantham voiced the apprehension shared by many in his position, stating, “To me, it felt like they were wanting to intervene before 2026.” Similar sentiments were echoed by five other Republican clerks, including Carly Koppes from Weld County, who firmly rejected Small’s overtures for federal inspections, citing security concerns over access to voting equipment.
More than 350 election officials from at least 33 states participated in a recent conference call to discuss the potential ramifications of the Trump administration's moves, seeking guidance from both Democratic and Republican legal experts. Historically, election officials have resisted federal intrusion, with notable pushback against a presidential commission during Trump’s first term, where officials from both parties refused to provide detailed voter information.
On social media, Trump reiterated his focus on election-related issues, reiterating false claims regarding the 2020 election. This renewed push for voting data comes as the midterms approach, with Democrats aiming to gain control of the House, diminish the Republican Senate majority, and increase governorships.
Samantha Tarazi, CEO of the nonpartisan Voting Rights Lab, expressed concern that Trump's actions may lay the groundwork for interfering with free and fair elections in 2026. The Justice Department's outreach to various states has varied significantly, with Colorado receiving broad requests for all election-related records while Alaska’s inquiries focused on voter removals for mental incompetence.
Grantham noted that Small had inquired whether he would permit a third party to examine his voting machines for compliance with federal regulations, a request he declined, citing state laws that restrict access to such equipment.
The atmosphere in Colorado has been tense since the 2020 election, particularly due to the actions of Tina Peters, a former Mesa County clerk sentenced to nine years in prison for allowing unauthorized access to her office to copy election data. The Justice Department’s recent attempts to assist Peters with her appeal have further unsettled election officials.
Small's outreach has included claims of affiliation with high-level officials in the Trump administration, intensifying concerns among election clerks. After discussions with Small, some clerks received follow-up calls from Homeland Security officials requesting to review their election equipment, a proposition that many officials believe exceeds the administration’s authority.
Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold criticized the administration's actions as a continuation of Trump’s efforts to undermine the 2020 election results, describing it as a “playbook on steroids.” She warned that these measures are part of a broader strategy to consolidate power over elections.
Matt Crane, executive director of the Colorado County Clerks Association, noted that election officials across the political spectrum are wary of any attempts to access their voting equipment. “Any request for access to voting machines outside of the law raises immediate red flags in terms of intent,” he remarked.
Small has not responded to requests for comments from the media, and a spokesperson for Boebert has also declined to comment on the outreach efforts. A spokesperson from Homeland Security acknowledged their collaboration with other agencies on election security but refrained from disclosing specific conversations.
In addition to the activities in Colorado, the Justice Department has solicited voter lists from various states, including both Republican and Democratic-controlled states. Election officials have expressed concern over these requests, fearing the potential for misuse of personal information, especially given federal laws designed to protect sensitive data.
Some states have complied with requests for publicly available voter information, while others are still deliberating on how to respond. Federal law allows the Justice Department to ensure that states maintain proper procedures for removing ineligible voters, but it does not grant the agency the authority to directly review voter rolls.
Experts warn that improper handling of voter data could lead to inaccuracies that underpin false claims of voter fraud, further complicating the electoral landscape. Wisconsin Elections Commission Chair Ann Jacobs emphasized that voters deserve transparency regarding the administration’s motives for requesting their information and how it will be utilized.
As the political climate intensifies leading up to the 2026 midterms, the actions of the Trump administration and its allies are likely to remain a contentious issue, with significant implications for the future of voting rights and election integrity in the United States.
