Reuters investigations reveal that the Trump administration is expanding its involvement in U.S. election affairs—previously managed by state and local governments—through federal investigations, surprise raids, and demands to access voting systems and voter identity records, affecting at least eight states. In January this year, the Franklin County Board of Elections in Ohio received a phone call from an individual claiming to be a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agent, demanding immediate access to voter records. Over the following weeks, the agent requested dozens of voters’ registration forms, voting histories, driver’s license numbers, and other confidential information, and inquired about local voter registration organizations, without disclosing the purpose or direction of the investigation. The county’s elections official stated that the county had never previously received such requests from DHS, despite complying, and remains unclear about the investigation’s objective. DHS declined to comment on the specifics of the Ohio operation, stating only that its personnel are investigating any potential election fraud.
Trump administration officials and investigators are now entering the core aspects of U.S. election management, seeking confidential records, requesting access to voting equipment, and re-examining voter fraud cases previously dismissed by courts and bipartisan reviews. Under American constitutional tradition, even for national positions like presidential elections, the implementation of elections is primarily handled by state and local governments rather than direct federal oversight. The report highlights that as the 2026 midterm elections approach, disputes over election authority, voter identification scrutiny, and the boundaries of federal law enforcement are intensifying.
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Original article: toutiao.com/article/1863689941126154/
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