Our Politics

Category: 2026 Midterm Elections

  • President Donald Trump Announces Midterm Convention to Rally Support for Republicans Ahead of 2026 Elections

    President Donald Trump Announces Midterm Convention to Rally Support for Republicans Ahead of 2026 Elections

    On September 16, President Donald Trump took to TruthSocial to announce a Republican “Midterm Convention” aimed at energizing the party ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. The event, with its time and place yet to be determined, promises to be a significant and exciting gathering for the Republicans. President Trump wrote, “The Republicans are going to do a Midterm Convention in order to show the great things we have done since the Presidential Election of 2024. Stay tuned, it will be quite the Event, and very exciting!”

    While historically, the party in power loses seats in midterm elections, President Trump is seeking to stave off the traditional losses the party in power faces in midterm elections. Recent polling does suggest that the Republicans have a decent shot at defying the traditional losses for the party in power in the 2026 midterm elections. In the Senate, the Republicans scored strong recruits such as former Congressman and 2024 Senate candidate Mike Rogers in Michigan, former Senator Scott Brown in New Hampshire, and Congressman Mike Collins in Georgia. Polling suggests that these three candidates will likely win the respective races. Additionally, the Democrats are going into a slight disadvantage going into the 2026 midterm elections when compared to the Republicans. 13 Democrats won seats in districts carried by Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election, while only three Republicans won in districts carried by Kamala Harris. This makes the Democrats more overextended in districts that lean towards the Republican Party.

    This announcement builds on an idea President Donald Trump first floated last month, when he suggested the Republican Party hold a national convention to highlight the party’s achievements and momentum. “The Republican Party is doing really well,” President Trump stated at the time. “Millions of people have joined us in our quest to MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN. We won every aspect of the Presidential Election and, based on the great success we are having, are poised to WIN BIG IN THE MIDTERMS.” Trump also praised the Republican Party’s fundraising efforts and his administration’s work to undo policies from the Biden era.

    The concept of a midterm convention is novel for the Republican Party, as President Donald Trump noted, “It has never been done before.” The announcement comes amid reports that the Democratic National Committee (DNC) is also considering a large-scale gathering to promote its rising stars and midterm candidates. A DNC spokesperson confirmed these plans, stating, “Americans everywhere are fired up and ready to fight back against Trump’s reckless policies — including his budget betrayal that cuts health care and food assistance for millions of people.” The spokesperson added that the DNC is exploring “several options” for 2026, including a potential midterm convention to harness grassroots energy.

    In response to President Donald Trump’s announcement, the DNC took a jab, saying, “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.” The spokesperson reiterated their plans, noting, “To showcase our tremendous candidates running up and down the ballot and harness the amazing grassroots energy we’re already seeing, several options are on the table for next year, including hosting a midterm convention. The sincerest form of flattery is imitation, and we’re amused the President is following our lead. As both parties gear up for the 2026 midterms, these proposed conventions signal an intensified effort to rally their bases and set the stage for a highly competitive election cycle. With the Republican Party aiming to capitalize on its 2024 momentum and the Democrats pushing back against its policies, the political landscape is heating up.

  • In A Major Defeat For Opponents of Gerrymandering, Missouri State Legislature Approves Congressional Map To Give Republicans Additional Congressional Seat Ahead Of 2026 Midterm Elections

    In A Major Defeat For Opponents of Gerrymandering, Missouri State Legislature Approves Congressional Map To Give Republicans Additional Congressional Seat Ahead Of 2026 Midterm Elections

    Missouri lawmakers have approved a new congressional voting map for the 2026 midterm elections, responding to former President Donald Trump’s call to secure a Republican majority in Congress. The state Senate passed the redistricting plan with a 21-11 vote, aiming to flip a Democratic-held seat to Republican control. The map now awaits the signature of Republican Governor Mike Kehoe, who introduced the plan last month, describing it as a “Missouri First” map that aligns with the state’s conservative values.

    Typically, states redraw congressional districts early in the decade following the national census, which determines the allocation of House seats. However, Missouri’s move comes mid-decade, driven by Trump’s push for Republicans to create more winnable districts. Missouri Republicans argue that the new map, which creates seven Republican-leaning seats and one strongly Democratic district, reflects the state’s political landscape, where Republicans dominate statewide and legislative elections. Currently, Missouri’s congressional delegation consists of six Republicans and two Democrats.

    Republican state Senator Rick Brattin, representing the Kansas City suburbs, defended the plan, stating, “The question is, are we actually representing the constituency of Missouri with our congressional delegation? A seven-to-one map does that. Democrats in the state legislature fiercely opposed the changes but could do little to stop or slow their passage because Republicans hold supermajorities in both chambers. Democratic state Senator Stephen Webber argued during floor debate on September 12 that Republicans were surrendering their independence and bending to Trump’s will. “We’re no longer the ‘Show Me State,’” he said, referring the state’s motto. “We’re the ‘Yes, sir state.’” Democratic state Senator Barbara Washington of Kansas City called the map a “blatant political attack.” “This erases the voice of our community,” she said, her voice rising with emotion. “Carving up Kansas City and silencing our constituents is terrible.”

    On September 10, thousands of activists protested at the state capitol, vowing to collect the 106,000 signatures needed within 90 days to put the measure to a statewide referendum. By September 12, two lawsuits had already been filed to challenge the plan, signaling a contentious legal battle ahead.

    Missouri is not alone in redrawing its maps. President Donald Trump has urged Republican-led states, including Texas, Indiana, and Florida, to adopt district plans that favor Republican candidates. Texas approved a similar plan last month to secure five additional Republican-leaning seats. In response, Democratic-led states like California have proposed maps to bolster Democratic representation, with California’s plan awaiting voter approval on November 4, 2025. Illinois and Maryland are also considering redistricting to favor Democrats.

    As Missouri’s new map heads to Governor Kehoe’s desk, its fate remains uncertain. Legal challenges and a potential referendum could delay or block its implementation. Meanwhile, the national push for redistricting continues, with both parties vying to reshape congressional districts to their advantage ahead of the 2026 midterms. The outcome of these efforts could significantly influence the balance of power in the US House.

  • President Donald Trump Announces Plan To Ban Mail-In Voting

    President Donald Trump Announces Plan To Ban Mail-In Voting

    On August 18, President Donald Trump announced his intention to issue an executive order aimed at banning mail-in voting before the 2026 midterm elections, a move he claims will restore electoral integrity. During a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office, Trump stated, “We, as a Republican Party, are going to do everything possible that we get rid of mail-in ballots.” He added that an executive order is being drafted by top lawyers to end the practice, asserting that mail-in ballots are prone to corruption and voter fraud.

    President Donald Trump has repeatedly argued that mail-in voting undermines election integrity. He claimed, without evidence, “Mail-in ballots are corrupt,” citing unverified anecdotes of individuals receiving multiple ballots in states like California. President Trump has long maintained that mail-in voting enables tampering and multiple voting, despite lacking evidence to support widespread fraud. However, election experts have consistently refuted these claims. Debra Cleaver, founder of VoteAmerica, emphasized the security of mail-in ballots, noting that barcodes on outgoing and return envelopes ensure ballots are tracked and counted accurately. Following the 2020 election, Christopher Krebs, then-director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, declared it “the most secure in American history.” Audits and investigations, including those by Republican officials, found no evidence of significant fraud in the 2020 election.

    President Donald Trump’s proposed executive order faces significant legal hurdles. He argued in a social media post that states are mere “agents” of the federal government in elections and must follow presidential directives. However, Article I, Section 4 of the US Constitution explicitly grants states the authority to regulate elections, with Congress holding the power to alter such regulations. Legal scholars note that the President lacks the constitutional authority to unilaterally ban mail-in voting, rendering the proposed executive order legally questionable.

    Despite President Donald Trump’s claim that the US is the only country using mail-in voting, the practice is common worldwide. According to the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, over 30 countries, including Canada, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Germany, and Denmark, allow mail-in voting for some or all voters. In the US, 36 states offer no-excuse mail-in voting, with eight conducting elections entirely by mail. The 2020 election saw a surge in mail-in voting due to the pandemic, with 43% of ballots cast by mail, a figure that dropped to just over 30% (46.8 million votes) in 2024, according to the US Election Assistance Commission.

    Election experts warn that eliminating mail-in voting could disrupt electoral processes. David Becker, executive director of the Center for Election Innovation & Research, called the idea “incredibly bad,” arguing it would create chaos, especially with midterm elections just 15 months away. He noted that mail-in voting, used since the Civil War, enhances accessibility and security when properly implemented.

    The White House, through spokesperson Harrison Fields, defended President Donald Trump’s stance, claiming that Democratic policies like “unfettered mail-in voting” have eroded trust in elections. Fields emphasized Trump’s goal to “secure America’s elections” through measures like voter ID requirements and stricter voting laws in states like California and New York.

    President Donald Trump’s push to ban mail-in voting has sparked renewed debate over election security and accessibility. While he frames it as a safeguard against fraud, critics argue it could disenfranchise voters who rely on mail ballots due to disability, military service, or other constraints. The legal and practical challenges of implementing such a ban underscore the complexities of reforming election systems in a polarized political landscape. As the 2026 midterms approach, the debate over mail-in voting is likely to intensify, with significant implications for voter turnout and trust in democratic institutions.