Clipsheet

Trump cannot simply mandate that the federal government take over election administration in a state or local jurisdiction, says Derek Clinger, senior counsel and director of partnerships at the University of Wisconsin Law School’s State Democracy Research Initiative.

To do so would require federal legislation, which Clinger says seems unlikely.

Some Senate Republicans are withholding their votes because they believe the Save America Act “provides too much federal control” over elections, Clinger says. Actually “taking over” administration would be a further step with even less support, he adds.

“American elections have pretty much always been run by the states, with just a few key exceptions where Congress has passed laws impacting that,” says Clinger.

When Evers called Republican lawmakers in the past for special sessions, they often gavel in and out within seconds to avoid taking action. But University of Wisconsin-Madison political science Professor Barry Burden said this special session might have potential among Republicans.

The amendment is more of an “idea of wanting to end partisan gerrymandering,” not necessarily about the process, Burden said, adding that the amendment has to move through the legislature, campaigning and voter ballots before it could be approved.

“It’s a long, complicated set of steps. But I think for the moment, it’s still a live issue and has some potential,” Burden said.