Most weeks I offer a series of tips based on the latest developments. This week I have only one — but it requires our attention on something that won’t happen for another 18 months. Donald Trump and the Republican Party are preparing to undermine free and fair elections. It may seem far away, but the pro-democracy movement must start to counter those efforts now.

In November, Donald Trump defeated Kamala Harris in Wisconsin by fewer than 30,000 votes — just two-tenths of a percent. Last week, the state Supreme Court candidate endorsed by the Democratic Party defeated the GOP- and Elon Musk-backed candidate in a 10-point landslide.

Meanwhile, in a ruby-red district in Florida that Trump had previously carried by 30 points, the Republican candidate in a House special election won by only 15. As House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries noted afterward: “There are 60 Republicans in the House who currently represent districts where Trump did worse than 15 or 16 points. And every single one of those districts is now a target on the back of those House Republicans.”

Trump is already unpopular — and becoming more so. His attacks on the rule of law have fractured parts of his coalition, and his reckless imposition of tariffs threatens to plunge the U.S. economy into crisis.

Democrats have a real opportunity to retake the House and Senate in 2026. As always, that begins with recruiting the best candidates and ensuring they have the resources to run competitive races. There are already positive signs on that front.

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It is also vital that Democratic voters stay energized and engaged. For months, the legacy media insisted Democrats were dispirited and disengaged. The recent nationwide protests revealed the truth — Democrats are angry, motivated and ready to act.

History is on the Democrats' side. Since Trump entered the political scene, Democrats have outperformed in midterm elections. In 2018, they took control of the House — gaining 40 seats — while sharply limiting losses in the Senate. In 2022, they defied expectations by gaining a Senate seat and minimizing House losses.

Republicans are worried and are resorting to their usual game plan — voter suppression and election subversion. Eighteen months before the midterms, the Republican National Committee is litigating more than 40 cases aimed at making voting more difficult. In North Carolina, the GOP is literally trying to steal a state Supreme Court seat won by a Democrat last November.

Trump has always been obsessed with elections because he knows they pose the greatest threat to his authoritarian ambitions. That’s why election denialism is central to his movement. It’s why the Big Lie remains MAGA’s core tenet.

Trump’s plan to avoid a repeat in 2026 is simple: make it harder to register to vote, purge millions from the rolls, restrict voting to in-person Election Day only, enable foreign interference and give election deniers the power to refuse to count ballots or certify elections.

He has already begun advancing these policies through executive orders now being challenged in court. In the weeks to come, we can expect more orders and policies aimed at making it harder to vote and easier for Republicans to cheat.

At the state level, Republican governors, legislatures and election officials have begun working to undermine free and fair elections in 2026. They are enacting laws and policies designed to tilt the playing field against Democrats and their likely voters — often parroting lies and misinformation from the White House.

Now is the time to focus on this threat. For the last few months, the pro-democracy movement has understandably focused on combatting Trump’s unconstitutional power grabs. While that work must continue, we must also begin shifting attention and resources toward protecting elections.

These efforts must also broaden in scope. We cannot simply focus litigation and resources on a handful of battleground states. In 2026, the fight to control the House and Senate will stretch from Minnesota to Florida and coast to coast. We are likely to see competitive Senate races in Alaska, Iowa, Maine, North Carolina and Ohio. The House map will be even more expansive — likely spanning over 30 states.

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As a result of a narrow presidential map, states like Arizona, Georgia and Pennsylvania have seen dozens of lawsuits in recent years. Meanwhile others have seen virtually none.

Unfortunately, this has allowed election denialism to fester and voter suppression to grow unchecked in many states that have been largely overlooked and under-resourced. In close elections, these tactics matter.

Restrictions on voter registration can determine who wins and who loses. So can limits on early voting and vote-by-mail access. Close elections often hinge on which votes are counted — and which are disqualified.

Even when results aren’t close, Republicans increasingly contest outcomes they dislike. What began as a fringe effort by Trump in 2020 has now become standard operating procedure for Republicans at every level.

Republicans know they can’t win in 2026 on the issues. Trump’s greatest fear is becoming a diminished lame duck if Democrats regain power. He and his allies will do whatever it takes to prevent that. After the 2020 election, it was frivolous litigation and a violent insurrection. In 2024, it was Elon Musk spending tens of millions.

If we want free and fair elections in 2026, the time to act is now. That’s what I plan to do. I hope you’ll join me.