Why There Will Be Free And Fair Elections In 2026

suggestions to the contrary are made by Republicans to dispirit Democrats and bring down turnout-don’t fall for it

There has been a constant drumbeat that the Republicans will somehow cheat or use the legal system to subvert the 2026 (and 2028) elections.

I believe the 2026 elections will be free and fair. I do not believe that Republicans will be able to successfully tamper with voting machines or use the courts to remain in office if they lose. The United States’ electoral process is highly decentralized, with elections administered by thousands of state and local officials rather than a single federal authority. This structure makes it virtually impossible for any one party to orchestrate large-scale interference or manipulation across the country. Trump tried it in 2020 and failed miserably.

Legal and civic protections are also stronger than ever. Organizations like Protect Democracy are actively defending election integrity through lawsuits and advocacy, ensuring that voters are protected from intimidation and that election administrators can do their jobs without coercion. Recent legislative reforms, such as the bipartisan Electoral Count Reform Act, have fortified the process for certifying election results, making it much harder for anyone to subvert the will of the voters as was attempted in 2020.

Civil society remains vigilant. Media scrutiny, watchdog groups, and a mobilized public are working hard to expose and counteract voter suppression and disinformation, helping to maintain transparency and accountability at every step of the process.

When it comes to voting machines specifically, there are robust technical safeguards in place. Voting machines are protected by multiple layers of security, including tamper-evident seals, restricted access, bipartisan oversight, and detailed audit logs.

Importantly, these machines are not connected to the internet, and their software is validated both before and after elections, making undetected tampering extremely difficult. Bipartisan teams manage all programming and access, and every movement of equipment is documented and monitored, often with surveillance. Federal oversight further strengthens these protections, as the U.S. Election Assistance Commission sets national standards for voting system security, and states are continually upgrading machines and procedures to stay ahead of emerging threats.

Just as important, Republicans have not succeeded in using the courts to overturn election outcomes or remain in office after losing. Recent history shows that courts have dismissed many GOP-led lawsuits for lack of legal standing or credible evidence. For example, a federal district court dismissed a Republican challenge to Illinois’ mail-in ballot law, and the appellate court upheld the decision, finding that the plaintiffs failed to show they were harmed and thus had no standing to sue.

Even when Republicans have argued that their ability to challenge electoral regulations is being unfairly limited, federal courts have consistently required concrete evidence and legitimate legal grounds—barriers that have proven insurmountable in most cases.

Efforts to disrupt or delay certification of election results have also failed, with state officials and courts intervening to ensure lawful certification even in the face of partisan resistance.

Despite the real threats that exist—such as voter suppression laws, disinformation, and partisan pressure—the combination of legal safeguards, decentralized administration and public vigilance gives me reason to believe the 2026 elections will remain fundamentally free and fair.

The system’s historical resilience in the face of adversity, coupled with these multiple layers of defense will make it extremely difficult for rhe Republicans to successfully tamper with the vote or use the courts to hold onto power after defeat.

The Republicans themselves peddle these lies to discourage Democrats from voting. Don’t fall for it. Besides, turnout always wins. A massive Democratic turnout will render any effort by the Republicans to cry foul irrelevant. The margin of victory will be too wide. Finally, recall that Elon Musk dumped millions into the Wisconsin judicial race several months ago, and his candidate was clobbered. The Republicans can try their best. If we remain resolute, none of it will work.