The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for April 16, 2026
A head-turning new poll released April 6th found 49% of Americans are concerned that President Donald Trump will order the military to seize ballots and voting machines during the 2026 midterms.
When surveyed in mid-February by the States United Democracy Center, 81% of Democrats, 40% of independents and 19% of Republicans, responded they were very or somewhat concerned Trump would take such an action.
The poll also asked whether the President should be able to issue an executive order to cancel the 2026 midterms. Trump had suggested on January 14th, “We shouldn’t even have an election,” UNQUOTE, and expressed a similar sentiment in a January 6th speech. In the poll results, 71% of Americans somewhat or strongly disagree, including 59% of Republicans. Disturbingly, 13% of Republicans somewhat or strongly agree the President has that power, despite the Constitution’s Article 1, Section 2 mandate requiring Congressional elections every two years.
President Trump’s March 2025 order on elections was largely struck down by multiple federal courts, citing the U.S. Constitution’s grant of election administration to the states and Congress, not the president. His March 2026 mail-in ballot order will likely suffer the same fate.
We’ve linked to the poll and more on the Constitution’s guardrails at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
States United Democracy Center – Survey: Americans Oppose Executive Overreach in Elections
Roll Call – Speech: Donald Trump Addresses a GOP House Member Retreat – January 6, 2026
U.S. House of Representatives – Biennial Elections
Center for American Progress – The Trump Administration Has No Legal Authority To Invoke National Security and Take Over Elections
Related ADM Reports:
American Democracy Minute – It’s Groundhog Day All Over Again: Trump Executive Order on Elections Loses Again on Constitutional Grounds
American Democracy Minute – Trump Issues Executive Order Attempting to Federalize Mail-In Voting Rules and Establish ‘State Citizenship List’. It’s Beyond His Authority.
Groups Taking Action:
States United Democracy Center, Campaign Legal Center, Protect Democracy
Register or Check Your Voter Registration:
U.S. Election Assistance Commission – How to Register And Vote in Your State
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