{
  "id": 10190890,
  "title": "Trump allies could use midterms ‘counting window’ to disrupt results, experts warn",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/27/trump-allies-could-use-midterms-counting-window-to-disrupt-results",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-27T10:00:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Guardian US",
    "slug": "the-guardian-us",
    "url": "https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/sep/27/trump-midterms-counting-window"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Election experts have expressed concerns that Donald Trump's administration may use the post-election counting window to disrupt the results of the upcoming midterm elections. While the Supreme Court recently rejected the administration's attempts to impose heavy restrictions on mail-in ballots, there is apprehension about how Trump and his allies might exploit the period when votes are being counted. This window can last days or even weeks in some states, such as California.\n\nCaitlin Durkovich, a former deputy homeland security adviser, warned that the administration could seize equipment or ballots, even if not legally justified, to challenge results that don't go their way. Larry Norden, vice president of the elections and government program at the Brennan Center, emphasized that this period poses the biggest threat right now as doubt about the integrity of the process may arise.\n\nState-level elections officials are trying to prepare the public about the process to head off a manufactured controversy later, according to Norden. Early voting, which eliminates most threats voters apprehend, is highlighted as a crucial measure to maintain confidence in the system.\n\nThe power of doubt about the validity of votes remains a concern, especially with Trump's insistence on the possibility of foreign interference and emergency measures around election day. Ben Hovland, former chair of the Election Assistance Commission, noted that every state now has live ballots out, signaling the start of the election. This year, the DOJ and FBI have not entered a \"quiet period\" ahead of the election, unlike in past years. The DHS continues to pursue voter-roll lists, while DHS is also conducting an \"unlawful voter initiative\" that uses questionable data and may be unlawful.\n\nExperts stress that there is no evidence of foreign interference in the electoral process, as the 2020 election did not show any such examples. Election security has improved across the country due to the aftermath of Trump's 2020 defeat, with states auditing their results and taking cybersecurity seriously. However, the federal government has reduced its support for election security in CISA, leaving state election officials in a more vulnerable position.",
  "summary": "Fears grow that loyalists in key states could use critical period when votes are counted to amplify false claims Election experts have warned Donald Trump’s administration could use the crucial hours and days after November’s midterm elections to disrupt the results after struggling to enforce a crackdown on voting. With less than six weeks remaining until polls close, and control of US Congress…",
  "key_points": [
    "Trump allies may disrupt midterm results during counting window.",
    "Supreme Court rejected heavy restrictions on mail-in ballots.",
    "State officials prepare public to head off manufactured controversy."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Hill",
        "title": "The Memo: Trump’s media ban overshadows Xi visit as midterms clock runs down",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/27/the-memo-trumps-media-ban-overshadows-xi-visit-as-midterms-clock-runs",
        "published": "2026-09-27T10:00:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}