Election experts share concerns about the midterms
Summary
Fresh Air host Dave Davies discusses the 2026 midterm elections with election law expert Richard Hassan and Pennsylvania Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt. Hassan details federal efforts to purge voter rolls and restrict mail-in ballots, warning of potential post-election challenges if results are close. Schmidt recounts the intense threats he faced during the 2020 count and explains how Pennsylvania is preparing for federal interference. The conversation also addresses the unprecedented influence of billionaire donors like Elon Musk on campaign finance.
Topics discussed
Introduction and election integrity concerns
Federal efforts to purge voter rolls using SAVE database
Legal conflicts and data security in voter purges
Arrests of alleged non-citizen voters in California
Executive orders on mail-in ballots and postal service
Sponsor breaks and transition
Prospects of national emergency and armed polling places
Risks of seizing ballots and breaking chain of custody
Potential refusal to certify election results
Impact of Elon Musk and super PACs on democracy
Election day expectations and closing remarks
Sponsor breaks and introduction of Al Schmidt
Al Schmidt's experience during the 2020 election count
Federal demands for Pennsylvania voter data
Sponsor breaks
Investigation into alleged voter fraud in Philadelphia
Challenges facing election administrators
Credits and upcoming episode preview
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