American Democracy Minute A 90 second radio news report & podcast on U.S. democracy issues %

Midterm Madness Week: Could 2026 Midterm Ballots or Voting Machines be Seized by the Feds? There are Concerning Signs.

March 16, 2026March 16, 2026

When asked in January about his 2020 threat of having the National Guard seize voting machines, President Trump told the New York Times, “Well, I should have.” There are signs of such authoritarian action in the 2026 midterm.

Midterm Madness Week: ICE at Polling Places? The Administration Sends Mixed Messages; Some States are Advancing Laws to Limit or Prohibit It.

March 15, 2026March 15, 2026

In our Midterm Madness series, we’ve reported on federal rules prohibiting deployment of the U.S. military at the polls. Former Trump advisor Steve Bannon also suggested ICE agents should be used to prevent widespread noncitizen voting, a debunked conspiracy theory. What rules apply to ICE at the polls?

Midterm Madness Week: Could President Trump Deploy the U.S. Military or the National Guard at the Polls?

March 12, 2026March 13, 2026

In our recent Midterm Madness series, we’re discussing the tactics being proposed by the Trump administration and others to interfere in the 2026 midterm. Recently, former Trump advisor Steve Bannon suggested the U.S. military and ICE agents surround polling places. Could that happen?

Midterm Madness Week: One-Third of Americans Used Mail-In Voting in 2024. So Why is the Trump Administration Trying to End It?

March 11, 2026March 11, 2026

In the 2024 election, mail-in ballots accounted for 30.3% of votes cast, with some states offering universal mail ballots, and others permanent absentee lists or no-excuse absentee. So why is the Trump administration throwing everything at the wall to end it before the 2026 midterms?

Midterm Madness Week: You May Be in a New Congressional District or Another Voting Precinct for the Midterm Election. Know Before You Go.

March 10, 2026March 10, 2026

In last week’s Texas state primary, hundreds of voters were redirected, or worse, disenfranchised, due to polling location changes caused by party primary rule changes. Others had a new congressional district due to mid-decade redistricting. The moral of the story is to know before you go.