Since his loss in the 2020 election, President Donald Trump has continued to deny the official results and baselessly sow doubt about election integrity. With an executive order to restrict mail-in voting and lawsuits demanding states turn over their voter rolls, Trump and his administration have been pushing for more federal involvement in how elections are run. That has some state leaders preparing for worst-case scenarios.

In Episode 43 of Stories From The States, you’ll hear from Stateline staff writer Kevin Hardy. He spoke to some state attorneys general about how they’re preparing for the possibility of federal agents at the polls and contested election results.

You’ll also get a weekly news wrap-up from Evening Wrap newsletter writer Danielle Gaines and Daybreak newsletter writer Madyson Fitzgerald. They’ve got you covered on the latest about: the nation’s first confirmed measles-related deaths of the year, Meta paying out penalties and the declining enrollment in the Affordable Care Act insurance.

Episode produced and edited by Mallory Cheng. Music for Stories From The States composed by David Singer.

Click here for the full transcript.

Relevant reading from States Newsroom outlets and partners:

• No more ‘hypothetical situations’: States move to fortify elections against Trump (Stateline)
• Active court order still blocking Trump effort to restrict vote-by-mail (States Newsroom D.C. Bureau)
• WA sues again to stop Trump administration mail-in voting requirements (Washington State Standard)
• Amid multiple court battles, a guide to the status of mail-in voting (New Hampshire Bulletin)
• No issues reported as DOJ conducts monitoring of GOP Senate runoff in Charleston County (South Carolina Daily Gazette)

Got questions? An episode idea? Email us at podcast@statesnewsroom.com

Photo: Georgia residents line up to vote in 2024. State Democratic officials nationwide are bracing for potential federal interference during November’s midterm elections. (Photo by Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder)