How you can protect free and fair elections

By Michael Adame, Elections & Government Partnership Director, Public Rights Project

I’ve worked with hundreds of local election officials since Public Rights Project (PRP) launched its Election Protection Hub in 2024. During that time, I’ve heard countless stories — clerks fighting back against voter suppression, countering mis- and disinformation, and navigating rising threats — all while trying to do the essential work of running free and fair elections.

But, at a recent PRP funder briefing, one local election official’s comment stopped me in my tracks: she shared her fear that the federal government might declare martial law to prevent elections from happening in 2026.

While the likelihood of this happening is slim, it’s not impossible. And it demonstrates the alarming reality that election officials are facing today — a federal government that’s spreading lies about U.S. elections and trying to dismantle voting rights.

I won’t pretend this isn’t disheartening. But I also know Public Rights Project has a proven playbook to protect election integrity. Since 2024, the Election Protection Hub has served 210 local election officials in 25 states and Washington, D.C. — representing 33 million people.

We need all hands on deck for 2026. Our funder briefing offered valuable insights and solutions to meet this moment.

A sea of challenges — both old and new

Local election officials are no strangers to adversity, but the scale of challenges is growing.

Some issues are familiar, like the relentless flood of mis- and disinformation that undermines trust in the election system and the job of local election officials.

“You’re constantly chasing it and trying to drown it out,” Philadelphia City Commissioner Lisa Deeley said at the briefing. “It’s on top of everyone’s mind. They’re seeing it and believing it.”

The Election Protection Hub is also tracking threats to elections driven by the Trump administration. With recent United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids and National Guard deployments in U.S. cities, our team is providing local officials with guidance on how to manage federal agents at polling places.

Election officials’ authority is also under attack by this administration. In March, President Donald Trump issued an executive order attempting to control how states run their elections. The order, which requires proof of citizenship to register to vote, has the potential to disenfranchise over 20 million Americans and place an overwhelming burden on election officials.

But we’re not standing by while the government abuses its power. Our team has taken action by publishing guidance for election officials and filing an amicus brief in State of California v. Trump, opposing the order and defending state and local election administration.

Even in the face of these obstacles, it’s crucial to remember that election officials remain deeply committed to doing their jobs with integrity.

“We are focused on the task at hand — making sure eligible citizens have access to the ballot, that elections run on time, and results are accurate, secure, and fair,” said Lisa Brown, Oakland County Clerk/Register of Deeds in Michigan.

This is exactly why all of us must step up: to ensure these officials have the resources and tools they need to defend our democracy.

We can’t do this alone

In 2026, the biggest election challenge we’ll face is federal government interference. Already this year, we’ve seen:

• Eight states sued by the U.S. Department of Justice as it attempts to access voter registration rolls
• Threats of federal investigations into local election officials 
• The Department of Homeland Security accessing voter rolls to search for non-citizens

The federal government is a player in voter sabotage, but we have a plan.

We’re using our learnings from PRP’s Civil Rights Hub to scale up the 2026 Election Protection Hub work. In the first 10 months of 2025, Public Rights Project and 50 local governments have sued the Trump administration over federal funding cuts. We’ve also provided legal guidance to local governments navigating immigration laws and supported mayors who are responding to National Guard and ICE deployments in their cities.

Our experience defending civil rights at the local level is now fueling our efforts to protect this core pillar of our democracy. With more funding, we can offer more legal trainings, provide more rapid-response support, and support local election officials every step of the way.

Join us.
Free and fair elections depend on it.

“I have to believe in the America I grew up in and that I love,” Deeley said. “To be able to rely on attorneys who believe in democracy and the fundamental right for people to vote is really important to us.”