Goldman, Ansari Introduce NEW Legislation to Guard Against Federal Election Interference

June 18, 2026 Press Release Today, U.S. Representatives Dan Goldman (NY-10) and Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03) introduced the Voting Systems Protection Act, new legislation to guard against election interference by the federal government. The legislation comes in response to the Trump administration’s repeated attempts to seize election infrastructure in several states over the last year as part of an ongoing effort to rig and cast doubt on the upcoming midterms. “This administration has spent the last year launching an unprecedented attack on the integrity of our voting systems and laying the groundwork to undermine our upcoming midterm elections,” said Rep. Goldman . “Congress must act now to rein in an out-of-control White House and to ensure that our elections remain free, fair, and secure. I am introducing the Voting Systems Protection Act with Rep. Ansari to enact additional guardrails around our elections and protect the future of our democracy.” “In Arizona, we’re all too familiar with Donald Trump trying to interfere in our elections. The Constitution makes it clear that the administration of elections belongs to the states, not any president — particularly one seeking to illegally expand his corrupt overreach in furtherance of the same conspiracy theories and lies about the 2020 election that led to the January 6 insurrection. Arizona voters and all Americans should be able to trust that their voting systems are protected from political interference. Our Voting Systems Protection Act establishes clear safeguards to keep election administration in the hands of qualified state officials and the voters they serve,” said Rep Ansari . The Trump Administration has repeatedly sought to seize election infrastructure and undermine the integrity of our elections. In early January 2026, President Trump expressed regret over not having directed the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Defense (DOD) to seize voting machines in the wake of the 2020 Presidential election. Days later, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) conducted a raid on a Fulton County election center in Georgia based on widely debunked claims. In February, the Washington Post reported the circulation of a 17-page draft executive order among Trump allies and the White House that would declare a national emergency and, in part, direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to coordinate with the Attorney General and Director of National Intelligence in the seizure of election systems, equipment and materials. President Trump has suggested that Republicans should “take over” elections and “nationalize the voting” in the United States. Specifically, the Voting Systems Protection Act would: Create a state oversight mechanism to oversee the handling of equipment (ballots, machines, voter rolls) in the event that the federal government seizes such election infrastructure. Establish further criminal penalties for tampering with, damaging, or destroying such election infrastructure. Mandate a 48-hour notification requirement in which federal officials must notify a state's chief election official and the chairs and ranking members of four congressional committees - the House Administration Committee, the House Judiciary Committee, the Senate Rules Committee, and the Senate Judiciary Committee - prior to a seizure with a written explanation of the exigency. Impose a blackout period prohibiting federal seizure of election materials during a "restricted period" — 120 days before through 120 days after any federal election. Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-AL), Hank Johnson (GA-04), Seth Moulton (MA-06), Chris Deluzio (PA-17), and Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05) cosponsor the bill. The legislation is endorsed by Stand Up America, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), Common Cause, and Public Citizen. "The Trump administration’s recent encroachment on states’ election administration is alarming. State and local authorities have the constitutional responsibility to administer elections," said Debra Perlin, Vice President for Policy at Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW). "CREW is proud to endorse Rep. Goldman's Voting Systems Protection Act, which would help safeguard states’ ability to protect voters and voting processes." "In America, the voters decide. Federal law enforcement seized election materials from 2020 in pursuit of an illusion to soothe the President's fragile ego. These seizures are more than that, they are a test of how far Americans will let MAGA trod on our freedoms; freedoms that come from all voters - not just the wealthy few - deciding who holds power. Representatives Goldman and Ansari are working to protect voting systems and public records to safeguard the people's will. Public Citizen agrees this is a top priority," said Aquene Freechild, Co-Director, Democracy Campaign, Public Citizen. “The Voter Systems Protection Act is an important safeguard against any administration that tries to seize election materials, intimidate voters, and undermine confidence in our democracy,” said Common Cause’s Senior Policy Director for Voting and Fair Representation Dan Vicuña . “Common Cause’s one million members are ready to mobilize and ensure Congress passes this important legislation so our elections remain free from the manipulation of any authoritarian power grab.” “Fair and free elections depend on keeping election administration in the hands of trusted state and local officials. At a time when Donald Trump and his allies have shown a willingness to weaponize federal power to attack the institutions that make our democracy work, the Voting Systems Protection Act takes meaningful steps to prevent federal interference in our elections. These commonsense safeguards should have broad, bipartisan support. We are grateful to Representatives Goldman and Ansari for their leadership and urge their congressional colleagues to advance this bill without delay,” said Brett Edkins, Managing Director of Policy & Political Affairs at Stand Up America . Issues : Democracy and Voting Rights