The 2026 midterms are still months away, but the rules governing them are already changing.
In the past few weeks, the U.S. Supreme Court loosened restrictions on campaign spending, the DOJ warned state election officials they could face criminal liability over voter rolls, and the Trump administration removed the remaining members of a federal election commission.
More money, fewer limits
One of the biggest changes is financial. The SCOTUS decision could give national party committees a bigger role in competitive races, potentially reshaping how campaigns raise and spend money.
A bigger federal role in election administration
The DOJ's voter-roll warning signals a more assertive federal approach to election oversight, an area traditionally managed by states.
Questions about election oversight
The removal of the remaining Election Assistance Commission members comes as courts have given presidents more authority over independent agencies. The move underscores a broader debate over how much control the White House should have over bodies that historically have operated with a degree of independence from partisan politics.
Why it matters
The battle for Congress won't just be fought on the campaign trail. The legal rules, institutions and powers that shape elections are also being contested and could help define the 2026 midterms.
