Election Officials Doubt MAGA Voting Overhaul Can Happen by 2026

Election officials warn that Trump’s proposed nationwide election overhaul—the Save America Act—would be nearly impossible to implement by the 2026 midterms, requiring in-person citizenship verification to register, photo IDs to vote, massive staffing and system updates, and criminal penalties for election workers. They say the timelines would cause long lines and disruption, with jurisdictions needing 18–24 months just to begin implementing changes. While some Republicans push for a quick path around filibusters, many lawmakers acknowledge parts would have to be deferred or unenforceable, and the bill is unlikely to secure the 60 votes needed in the Senate. Overall, officials across the political spectrum view the overhaul as unworkable in the near term.