Why local officials are feeling 'on edge' as election day approaches

NPR | By Dave Davies

Published October 21, 2026 at 12:01 PM EDT

Al Schmidt is the chief election official in the state of Pennsylvania. President Trump's insults put him in danger during the 2020 ballot count. Now Schmidt talks about preparing for the midterms.

Related Content

How Trump's attacks on voting system integrity might affect upcoming elections

Dave Davies

Election law expert Rick Hasen explains Trump's interference in the midterms, including threatening local officials with criminal prosecution unless they strike alleged noncitizens from voter rolls.
Supreme Court upholds pause on Trump's anti-trans prison policy

Jaclyn Diaz

The Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that the Trump administration has to continue providing gender-affirming care to inmates in federal prisons as litigation on efforts to change the policy continues.
New human data hints at psychedelics' potential to combat inflammation

Will Stone

Lab studies have shown that psychedelics like psilocybin can lower inflammation and may be protective for a range of illnesses. Now, researchers are publishing some of the first data in humans that signals this holds potential for patients with neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's disease.
Sentenced to death at 17, at 68, quilt artist receives solo museum exhibition

Sea Stachura

A quilt artist who spent decades on death row now has his first solo exhibit at the Grand Rapids Art Museum.
Israel detains dozens of Americans, including a congressional candidate, in West Bank

Ruth Sherlock, Samantha Balaban, Daniel Estrin, Nuha Musleh

Democratic congressional candidate Brad Lander along with about 80 American and Israeli rabbis and activists were helping Palestinian olive harvesters when they were detained by Israeli forces.

You make NHPR possible.

NHPR is nonprofit and independent. We rely on readers like you to support the local, national, and international coverage on this website. Your support makes this news available to everyone.

Give today. A monthly donation of $5 makes a real difference.