PRESS RELEASE: RightCount Leaders Reject Calls to “Nationalize” Elections, Reaffirm Constitutional Authority of Statesons

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 5, 2026

Washington, DC: RightCount, a nonpartisan organization dedicated to strengthening public confidence in American elections, today issued the following statement from its state chairs in response to recent calls by President Donald Trump to nationalize U.S. elections.

“The Constitution is clear: elections in the United States are administered by the states, not the federal government, and no president has the authority to nationalize them. The 2026 election will be competitive and contentious, but that reality cannot justify threats or falsehoods that erode public trust, increase the risk of violence, or undermine the rule of law. We have full confidence in our state election systems and the dedicated and professional administrators who work every day to ensure that our elections are safe, secure and accurate.”

Former Arizona Governor Jan Brewer
Former Nevada State Senator Heidi Seevers O’Gara
Former Georgia State Senator Eric Johnson
Milwaukee Fire Chief Aaron Lipski (Wisconsin)
Lisa Posthumus Lyons, Kent County Clerk (Michigan)
Former North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory
Kim Pytleski, Oconto County Clerk (Wisconsin)
Former Pennsylvania Governor Mark Schweiker
Former Wisconsin State Assembly Majority Leader Jim Steineke

RightCount leaders emphasized that respect for the constitutional division of authority between states and the federal government is essential to maintaining election integrity and public confidence, particularly during periods of heightened political tension and threats of violence. State legislative, law enforcement and prosecutorial authorities are the best actors to provide meaningful oversight of elections. The statement comes on the heels of rising opposition among state and federal Republicans to the federalizing elections, including from Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Speaker Mike Johnson.

About RightCount

RightCount is a nonpartisan organization founded in 2023 to strengthen public confidence in U.S. elections and support election leaders in upholding their constitutional duties. Operating across key battleground states, RightCount works with trusted voices to counter election misinformation and reinforce the integrity of the election process at the state and local level.

For more information, visit RightCount.org

Media Contact: Christopher Maloney, cmaloney@blackrockgrp.com

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