The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for Aug. 21, 2026
Brian is out today, but this is a timely and slightly updated report from April, 15, 2026
NEW YORK –An annual poll of election officials just updated by the Brennan Center for Justice April 13th shows half of those surveyed worry about election interference by political leaders, and 75% say cuts in federal election funding have not been replaced by local or state governments.
As we’ve reported, allies of President Trump appear to be preparing to interfere with the 2026 midterm election. The Brennan Center poll found that 50% of election officials are very or somewhat worried about political leaders interfering in election administration. Seventy-one percent are preparing for disruptions, including requests for access to voting machines and voter data, and the impact of recent Postal Service policy changes.
The survey also found that 32% of local and state election officials have experienced threats, harassment or abuse, and 23 percent are concerned about being assaulted at home or at work.
We’ve also reported on the Trump administration’s cuts to state election security funding and cybersecurity expertise from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, or CISA. The Trump administration recently proposed another $360 million in cuts for 2027. Seventy-five percent of election officials said their state or local government had not provided funding to replace the federal cuts.
We’ve linked to the Brennan Center’s poll and more on the midterm challenges facing election officials at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Brennan Center for Justice – Survey Finds Election Officials Remain Concerned About Safety, Lack of Government Support
Brennan Center for Justice – Local Election Officials Survey 2026
Institute for New Economic Thinking – (2025) Ex-CISA Official Warns: We’ve Gutted Cybersecurity—A Gift to Iran, China and Russia
NextGov – Trump proposes cutting CISA election security program in FY27 budget
Related ADM Reports:
American Democracy Minute – Since 2018, CISA Helped States Harden Elections From Foreign Interference by Iran and Others. In 2025 Its Workforce & Funding was Cut.
American Democracy Minute – Our Midterm Madness Series on Ways the Trump administration and its allies could interfere in the 2026 midterm
Groups Taking Action:
Issue One, Protect Democracy, Election Official Legal Defense Network
Register or Check Your Voter Registration:
U.S. Election Assistance Commission – How to Register And Vote in Your State
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