Trump Administration's Election Interference: Colorado Officials on Alert
Recently, Republican election officials in Colorado were contacted by a GOP consultant claiming to be working on "election integrity" with the Trump administration. The consultant, Jeff Small, mentioned he was acting on behalf of White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller and was coordinating with the White House and the Justice Department to implement an elections executive order signed by President Trump. Small asked Colorado clerks to grant a third party access to their election equipment, a request that was declined by the officials.
The Trump administration and its allies have been actively collecting voter data and attempting to change the rules for the upcoming midterms. With Democrats needing just three seats in the US House to gain control, the stakes are high for both parties. The administration's actions have raised concerns among election officials and watchdogs about potential interference in the 2026 election.
Restricting access to election machines and voting software has become crucial for election officials following past breaches in states like Colorado and Georgia. Trump's allies sought access to machines to support claims of election fraud in the 2020 election. The recent federal actions have left election officials uncertain about the implications and potential investigations they may face.
The Trump administration's efforts to influence elections have caused unease among election officials who fear political interference in their work. A survey of local election officials revealed concerns about political leaders meddling in election processes and politically motivated investigations. The administration's push for redistricting and challenges to existing congressional districts have further fueled tensions.
In Colorado, Republican election clerks were contacted by Jeff Small, who claimed to be supporting Trump's election security executive order. Small's outreach to only Republican officials raised suspicions, and his request for access to election equipment was met with resistance. The White House distanced itself from Small's actions, emphasizing that he was not authorized to conduct official business on behalf of the administration.
The heightened sensitivity around election equipment access in Colorado stems from the prosecution of former Mesa County elections clerk Tina Peters, who was convicted for breaching the county's election system. Trump and his administration have shown support for Peters, raising concerns about the integrity of election processes. Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold has refused certain requests related to voter data, citing the lack of legal basis for federal government involvement in state election records.
Overall, the recent actions by the Trump administration and its allies have sparked concerns about potential interference in the 2026 election and raised tensions among election officials in Colorado. The push for election integrity and changes to election processes have left officials wary of political influence and investigations.