Republican election officials in Colorado say they were recently contacted by a GOP consultant claiming to act on behalf of the Trump administration, requesting access to election equipment as part of a sweeping federal effort branded under “election integrity.”
The outreach, led by political consultant Jeff Small, raised alarms among local officials. Small allegedly referenced instructions from White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller and claimed coordination with the Justice Department on the implementation of an executive order signed by President Donald Trump. That order mandates proof of citizenship for voter registration and seeks to impose stricter voting regulations nationwide.
Carly Koppes, Weld County Clerk and Recorder, was among the officials approached. She described the request as a serious overreach: “Not only is that a hard no, I mean, you’re not even going to breathe on my equipment.” Fremont County Clerk Justin Grantham also confirmed contact with Small, saying he too declined to grant access.
The incident in Colorado is part of a broader Trump administration initiative that includes lawsuits, federal demands for voter data, and an attempt to shift election oversight away from states. The White House, while distancing itself from Small, defended its broader agenda. Spokesperson Harrison Fields said Trump is “fighting for election integrity” and will continue despite Democratic opposition.
Since returning to the White House, President Trump has taken increasingly aggressive steps to reshape how federal elections are conducted—moves that critics say undermine the autonomy of state-run elections and erode public trust. The March executive order has already been partially blocked in federal courts, with judges affirming that election regulation rests with Congress and state legislatures.
Simultaneously, the Republican National Committee has submitted requests for voter registration records in 48 states and the District of Columbia and has sued New Jersey over its refusal to turn over election data. Meanwhile, the Justice Department, now under leadership aligned with Trump, has sent demands to states seeking voter rolls and details on how they remove potentially ineligible voters.
In Texas, Republicans are pursuing mid-cycle redistricting, aiming to flip five Democratic congressional seats—a move Governor Greg Abbott justified using a letter from Harmeet Dhillon, head of the DOJ’s civil rights division.
Election watchdogs and officials warn the cumulative effect of these efforts is deeply destabilizing. David Becker, head of the nonpartisan Center for Election Innovation & Research, described the situation as “surfing on quicksand,” pointing to lingering threats and disinformation stemming from 2020.
Voting rights advocates argue the administration’s actions are an attempt to centralize power ahead of the 2026 midterms, where control of the House hangs by a slim margin. Samantha Tarazi, CEO of the Voting Rights Lab, warned: “What started as an unconstitutional executive order has grown into a full federal mobilization to seize power over our elections.”