By Leslie Vasquez, Mayors Innovation Project
Recently, federal leaders have repeatedly questioned the integrity of U.S. elections while pursuing a more aggressive role in election administration through efforts such as compiling a national voter eligibility database, seeking state voter rolls through lawsuits, and tightening restrictions on mail-in ballots. Legal experts and election administrators have raised concerns that some of these actions are unprecedented and, in some cases, unconstitutional.
With the 2026 midterm elections approaching, cities face a growing challenge: ensuring residents can vote safely and confidently. While most voting rules are set by states, local governments shape many of the systems voters interact with, including polling locations, election staffing, and voter communication. By strengthening these systems, local leaders can improve voter turnout and help restore trust in the democratic process.
The Challenge
U.S. elections are highly decentralized, with authority divided across federal, state, and local governments. Federal law establishes the date of national elections and protects certain voting rights, while states set most election rules, including voter registration deadlines, ID requirements, and mail-in voting policies. Local leaders are typically responsible for administering elections in accordance with these rules. While decentralization can make large-scale fraud more difficult, it can also create confusion for voters.
In recent years, this already complex system has been further strained by rising political polarization and declining public trust in elections. A national survey by the Center for Transparent and Trusted Elections (CTTE) at the University of California San Diego found that only 60% of respondents expressed confidence that votes will be counted accurately for the 2026 midterms, a 17 point drop from the 2024 presidential election, with confidence declining across all political parties. The survey also found that significant shares of respondents across racial groups believe federal immigration enforcement officers could be present at polling locations, and that their presence would reduce confidence in election outcomes. Whether or not they materialize, perceptions of safety can shape voter participation and trust.
Participation also remains comparatively low. In 2022, voter turnout as a share of the voting-age population lagged behind the average among high-income OECD countries, and turnout declined compared to the 2018 midterms despite historically high registration rates.
These challenges are compounded by long-standing inequities in voting. U.S. voting systems have historically excluded certain groups, including women, Native communities, people of color, and non-landowners. While many legal barriers have been removed, participation disparities persist, and some modern voting restrictions disproportionately affect low-income communities and communities of color.
Expanding Voting Access
Strengthening Voter Registration
During New York City’s recent mayoral election, Zorhan Mamdani helped drive a significant increase in voter participation among South Asian and Indo-Caribbean communities. His campaign used targeted digital outreach, including multilingual social media videos in Spanish, Urdu, and Bengali, to communicate directly with voters about the importance of the election. By engaging historically marginalized and non-English-speaking communities, this approach demonstrates how culturally competent outreach can help bring new voters into the electoral process.
National Voter Registration Day, typically observed in September, provides an opportunity to raise awareness and coordinate outreach. In Madison, Wisconsin, the city expanded this effort into a full week of voter registration activities, partnering with the University of Wisconsin and local organizations to reach college students, a demographic with historically lower turnout rates. Volunteers conducted outreach across campus and at local businesses, contributing to consistently high levels of voter participation among University of Wisconsin–Madison students in national comparisons. The Civics Center offers a step-by-step guide on how to run a voter registration drive.
In San Antonio, Texas, Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones recently announced the creation of the Mayor’s Commission on Voting, a nonpartisan body focused on increasing voter engagement. The commission includes mayoral appointees as well as representatives from each city council district, and is intended to coordinate local efforts to expand voter participation and awareness.
Providing Ample and Accessible Polling Locations
Convenient polling access remains a barrier for many voters, leading some cities to expand voting into more accessible and family community spaces.
In Chicago, Illinois, voters in some neighborhoods have been able to cast ballots in locations such as bars and laundromats. Similarly, in Lawrence, Kansas, polling locations have included grocery stores, making voting more accessible as part of residents’ daily routines.
Cities are also increasingly considering how polling locations can serve communities that may face additional barriers or feel excluded from traditional civic spaces. In West Hollywood, California, the Connie Norman Transgender Empowerment Center (CONOTEC) served as a voting location in 2024, the first known polling site located within a transgender-centered facility, established to provide a safe and welcoming environment for LGBTQIA+ voters.
By partnering with local businesses and trusted community organizations, cities can better align polling locations with where residents already live and gather, helping reduce both logistical and social barriers to participation.
Recruiting More Poll Workers
Election officials across the country are facing increasing challenges in recruiting and retaining poll workers, due in part to an aging workforce and rising safety concerns. In response, many cities have expanded recruitment efforts to include new and more diverse groups of workers.
Cities such as Madison, WI, Boston, MA, Philadelphia, PA, and Atlanta, GA have developed programs to recruit high school and college students as poll workers, helping encourage early civic engagement.
Some local officials have also partnered with veteran-serving organizations to recruit veterans and military families as poll workers through initiatives such as Vet the Vote, a national effort to address poll worker shortages. These programs frame election work as an opportunity for veterans to continue serving their communities while bringing skills in public service that supporters argue can strengthen confidence in election administration.
In cities with large immigrant and multilingual populations, including Los Angeles, CA, Chicago, IL, and Milwaukee, WI, election officials have also increased efforts to recruit bilingual poll workers. These efforts help ensure that voters can access assistance in their preferred language, improving both accessibility and confidence in voting.
Restore Trust in Elections
Local leaders play a critical role in shaping public trust in elections. According to a 2025 survey by States United, Americans report higher levels of trust in their local election officials than in state or national officials, positioning local leaders as particularly credible voices in communicating about the voting process.
Building trust requires consistent, transparent communication. Public officials can use townhalls, community events, and social media to explain how elections are administered, what safeguards are in place, and what voters can expect. As U.S. election commissioner Christy McCormick noted, engaging directly with communities and clearly explaining election processes can help address concerns and build confidence.
Trust also depends on how leaders respond to election outcomes. Publicly affirming the legitimacy of election results, even when outcomes are unexpected or politically difficult, can reinforce confidence that the democratic process remains credible.
By expanding polling access, strengthening voter outreach, recruiting diverse election workers, and providing clear and consistent information about how elections function, local leaders can reduce barriers to participation and strengthen confidence in the democratic process. At a time when trust in democratic institutions is under strain, local leadership remains one of the most effective tools for ensuring elections are both accessible and trusted.