How Trump could interfere in US midterm elections

WASHINGTON — State officials responsible for conducting U.S. elections are on high alert for potential interference by President Donald Trump's administration during Tuesday's midterm elections. They fear federal authorities may interfere with voting processes, challenge ballot counts or obstruct unfavorable outcomes. With his Republican Party facing a tough challenge to retain control of Congress, Trump has repeatedly raised doubts about the fairness of U.S. elections and called for his party to "nationalize" voting in at least 15 locations.

The White House maintains that its actions are aimed at protecting election security, but many of the feared scenarios remain speculative. The U.S. Constitution clearly states that the president has no direct role in running elections, and courts have thus far dismissed the administration's main legal challenges. The key potential flashpoints include:

1. Who is eligible to vote: The Justice Department has initiated lawsuits against 30 states and the District of Columbia to obtain their voter registration lists, claiming it is necessary to identify non-citizens. However, they have lost more than two dozen of these cases. Additionally, the administration is demanding that ballots be canceled for approximately 20,000 individuals in California and over 400 in Washington.