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Gavel

Law's Atiba Ellis explains the reality of President Trump's election plan

Media | February 09, 2026 | Story by: Editorial Staff

WEWS: Atiba Ellis, the Morris G. Shanker Professor of Law, explained that President Trump cannot unilaterally federalize elections. “If Congress chooses to make changes regarding federal elections…Congress can do so,” Ellis said, but the president has no authority to seize state-run elections, though he can encourage states to align with federal law. 

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