— Emma Stone on what she and her 4-year-old daughter have on repeat all day. The parents can relate to this one.
US News
Washington Eyes the Ballot Box
What’s going on: President Donald Trump recently suggested Republicans should “nationalize” elections — then left everyone guessing what that actually meant. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt later said the president was referring to Senate legislation that would require proof of citizenship to vote. Trump’s remarks add to his renewed focus on election fraud, despite a lack of evidence. His administration’s actions, including the FBI’s raid at a Georgia county election office and the Justice Department’s demands for voter registration lists, have sparked pushback, even from some Republicans. And while the courts have blocked key parts of Trump’s executive order on mail-in voting and voter registration rules, he continues to target both and raise scrutiny of voting machines, according to The New York Times.
What it means: Trump’s comments heighten concerns about growing federal pressure on elections — which can affect voters in small, practical ways. As the midterms approach, you may see changing rules, legal fights, or conflicting guidance about registration, mail-in ballots, or voting machines, depending on where you live. States still run elections — so check your official election site and verify your registration early. Voting by mail? Drop your ballot a few days earlier, especially with new USPS rules in play. And if something feels off — a missing ballot, a closed polling place, confusing instructions — document it and report it to your state election office or a voter hotline. Zooming out, this isn’t just about 2026 — it’s about whether elections stay decentralized.
