1. United States
2. Mo.
3. Letter

I am writing to express deep concern and alarm over recent statements by President Trump urging Republicans to “nationalize” elections by having the federal government take control of state-run election processes. Multiple major news outlets have reported that the President has suggested Republicans should “take over the voting” in at least 15 states and elevate federal control over elections traditionally run by states under the Constitution. This proposal, in essence, would undermine the constitutional framework under which elections have long been administered. The U.S. Constitution clearly entrusts states with the authority to conduct and administer their own elections, with Congress setting only certain broad parameters. Federal takeover of state election administration is not supported by the Constitution or long-standing democratic norms, and has been widely criticized as an overreach of executive power. Beyond its questionable legality, the idea of nationalizing elections also threatens public confidence in the democratic process. Elections are foundational to our republic. Suggesting that one political party should seize control of election administration—not on the basis of evidence, but based on repeated, disproven claims about past election fraud—poses a serious risk to the legitimacy of future elections. Trump’s continued assertion that the 2020 election was “stolen” has been repeatedly debunked by courts, audits, and election officials across the country, yet he continues to use these claims as justification for unprecedented federal intervention. Even some Republican leaders in Congress have publicly rejected this idea as unconstitutional and not in keeping with the interests of the country. Senate GOP leadership has stated that the current state-conducted election system “has worked pretty well,” and that converting to a federalized system is neither necessary nor lawful. This pattern of behavior raises broader questions about the administration’s respect for the rule of law and democratic norms. Democracies depend on stable institutions and predictable processes. When a president repeatedly contradicts constitutional structures without evidence, it erodes trust, weakens civic norms, and risks damage to the peaceful transfer of power. I urge you to stand firmly for the Constitution and for safeguarding the integrity of our elections. Please oppose any efforts to centralize control of elections in Washington, D.C., especially those driven by unsubstantiated claims and partisan rhetoric. Our nation’s democratic framework and public trust in elections depend on it. Thank you for your service and attention to this urgent matter.