1. United States
2. Mich.
3. Letter

I am writing to you today with profound concern regarding escalating efforts to federalize state and local election administration. The principle that states, with oversight from Congress, run their elections is a cornerstone of our constitutional system, and it is under direct assault.1•2 Recent actions by the federal government represent a dangerous overreach that threatens the integrity and independence of our electoral process. The Trump administration has undertaken an aggressive campaign to undermine election integrity through affirmative attacks on democratic institutions and the repeal and withdrawal of voter protections.1 This includes a deeply concerning campaign to seize state voter data. As of January 20269 This legal pressure on states is a clear attempt to assert federal control where it does not belong. Furthermore, this administration has worked to dismantle critical election security infrastructure. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), established to protect election infrastructure, has seen its capabilities degraded and its leadership replaced with individuals who have questioned past election results.3•1•2 The federal government is actively retreating from its role of coordinating election security support, leaving states to fend for themselves against mounting threats.4 This abandonment of responsibility is compounded by the appointment of election deniers to key federal positions and the creation of new federal task forces that appear to target voters, election officials, and journalists rather than protect the process.3•2 This federal overreach is also being pursued through legislation. Proposals like the MEGA Act would mandate that states compare their voter lists against federal databases on a monthly basis, representing the biggest changes to federal election law in more than 20 years and forcing states into a data-sharing regime dictated by Washington.5 These actions, combined with the President’s repeated attacks on mail ballots and threats to curb their use via executive order, demonstrate a clear pattern of top-down interference.8 I urge you to take immediate and decisive action to defend the constitutional role of the states in administering elections. Congress must exercise its oversight authority to: Investigate the DOJ’s lawsuits against states and demand justification for this unprecedented data grab.^9 Hold hearings to examine the dismantling of CISA’s election security mission and the politicization of its leadership.3•1 Oppose any legislation, such as the MEGA Act, that imposes federal mandates on state voter list maintenance.^5 Use all available legislative and oversight tools to reinforce the "federalism firewall" that protects our decentralized election system from sustained federal pressure.^9 Our nation’s democratic framework depends on the ability of states to conduct free, fair, and secure elections without intimidation or interference from the executive branch. I implore you to stand up for state authority, protect our election officials, and ensure that the 2026 midterm elections—and all future elections—remain under the control of the states and the people, not the federal government. Thank you for your time and your commitment to our Constitution.