(Some) States Hold the Line on War Threats, Election Meddling, and Safety Net Cuts
It’s Friday, April 10, 2026, and time for your Democracy in the States: Weekly Roundup.
If you read one thing this week about the state of democracy and what we can do about it, make it Trump Promised Genocide by our Renovator founder Danielle Allen. She argues that we are witnessing a normalization of extreme rhetoric that threatens to dismantle humanitarian protections, and she issues a powerful call to action for each of us. Her piece was a much-needed reminder in the midst of a harrowing week that we, the people, still have the power to change what happens next. But it won’t be an easy road.
This week’s wrap-up reflects that reality, with state news outlets closely tracking the potential for war in Iran, a concerted effort across various legislatures to gain the upper hand in the upcoming 2026 elections, federal meddling in state affairs, and increasing efforts by Republican-led state legislatures to strip power from cities and counties, as Stateline reports this week.
Iran War and Executive Power
The debate over the limits of executive authority has reached a fever pitch following President Trump’s threats to target Iranian civilian infrastructure. As the States’ Newsroom reports, legal experts are grappling with what constitutes an illegal military order and whether U.S. troops could face international prosecution for war crimes if they follow the president’s directives.
COLORADO: DeGette calls for impeachment following Trump’s latest threats to Iran.
MONTANA: Montana’s Congressional delegation mostly silent about Trump’s threats, escalation in Iran.
NORTH CAROLINA: New Polling: Increasingly pessimistic, North Carolinians favor more guardrails on the presidency.
WISCONSIN: Dem lawmakers to Steil: Trump is ‘not fit to be commander-in-chief’.
Voting Access & Federal Election Interference
At least 11 states are passing laws to block federal agents from polling places and harden their voting systems against federal interference, according to Democracy Docket. Elsewhere, states are making it more difficult to vote.
OREGON and VIRGINIA: Attorneys general are challenging the president’s executive order limiting mail ballots.
NEW HAMPSHIRE: Sec. of State Scanlan on Trump’s order: Feds ‘cannot usurp NH’s express constitutional authority to run elections.’
NEVADA: Given Trump’s threats, mail votes should be cast early, and NV needs more drop boxes, officials say.
NEW HAMPSHIRE: A new law removes student IDs as valid poll identification.
LOUISIANA: Effort to protect voting rights in Louisiana law falters.
Voter Privacy & Data Sharing
The Trump administration’s push for sensitive voter data is meeting stiff resistance in the courts. Democracy Docket notes that the DOJ has sued 30 jurisdictions to obtain unredacted voter rolls, a move they argue could allow Trump to “steal” the midterms.
ALASKA: Why federal efforts to get sensitive voter data face resistance.
MONTANA: Secretary of State’s Office grilled at Legislative Audit Committee over voter information handed to the DOJ.
WASHINGTON: Months later, DOJ lawsuit to obtain WA voter rolls can move forward.
TENNESSEE: Bill requiring citizenship database checks for voter registration heads to governor’s desk.
UTAH: What to know about Utah’s new voter privacy law and how clerks are responding to concerns.
Immigration Policies & Jurisdiction Fights
Federal immigration enforcement and ongoing arrests are driving intense friction between city, state, and federal governments. In Minnesota, the Minnesota Reformer reports that 35% of arrests during “Operation Metro Surge” were “collateral,” meaning they were not the intended targets. Meanwhile, the Washington State Standard reports increased ICE activity with over 2,100 arrests in five months and a notable increase in detainees without criminal records. Across the country, legislatures vary in their a
pproach to immigration policy and federal interactions.
OHIO: Immigrant kids can attend school regardless of citizenship. Some states like Ohio are challenging it.
MARYLAND: ‘No Kings Act’ sails through House, allowing residents to sue federal agents for constitutional violations.
KANSAS: Governor blocks plan to end in-state tuition for immigrants who graduate from Kansas high schools.
MAINE: Maine jails could soon be able to refuse federal immigration detainees.
OREGON: Oregon governor signs slew of bills protecting immigrants amid federal crackdown.
TENNESSEE: Senate advances bill penalizing Tennessee judges who obstruct ICE.
TENNESSEE: Tennessee Senate adopts new state immigration crimes.
WISCONSIN: Evers vetoes GOP bill requiring counties to cooperate with ICE.
GEORGIA: Kemp to decide fate of bill allowing Georgia property owners to sue over homelessness, immigration.
Health Policies and State Impacts
As the fiscal and administrative implications of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act materialize, state agencies are in a tough spot, stuck between a mandate to prune their coverage rolls and a growing list of public health challenges.
WISCONSIN, ILLINOIS, IOWA, KENTUCKY, and VERMONT: States are paying millions to update eligibility systems to adhere to the federal law’s new Medicaid and SNAP restrictions.
MISSOURI: Plan to put Medicaid work requirements in state Constitution draws public opposition.
IDAHO, MICHIGAN, OREGON, and UTAH: State health officials are grappling with widespread measles outbreaks, with Utah becoming the national epicenter with 583 cases.
ALABAMA: Alabama House approves ban on SNAP recipients purchasing some sugary foods.
MISSOURI: Missouri House votes to bar some lawfully present immigrants from food aid.
OHIO: As Ohio summer meal programs see increased use, federal cuts make it harder to fight child hunger.
Structural Changes and Election Administration
And lastly, from redistricting fights to primary rules, the structural gears of state elections are still shifting.
UTAH: Another Utah Senate district topples as signature removals continue, stalling the effort to overturn the state’s anti-gerrymandering law.
FLORIDA: DeSantis plays down lack of Supreme Court opinion in justifying congressional redistricting effort.
ALABAMA: On final legislative day, Alabama Senate tensions doom several bills, including a closed primary measure.
MAINE: Maine Supreme Court says proposed ranked choice voting expansion is unconstitutional.
NEW JERSEY: New NJ law expands early in-person voting for May municipal races.
SOUTH DAKOTA: Calendar quirk and law change have South Dakota election officials worried about deadlines.
WEST VIRGINIA: Voter ID and closed GOP primary — changes to note for WV voters in upcoming primary election.