The Stakes of America’s 2026 Midterm Elections

Now, experts across the country are deeply concerned about what might occur in the coming months, whether it’s false allegations that cast doubt on individual races, state officials refusing to certify election results as required by law, or baseless efforts to block House members from taking their seats in January.

The good news is the success of these efforts to undermine the midterms is not inevitable. To the contrary, enormous work has already been done to protect the integrity of November’s election from those who would undermine it.

Now, it is time for leaders who haven’t yet joined that effort to get off the sidelines no matter what their politics are. Losing our system of fair and free elections would not just affect one element of American life. It would affect all elements of American life.

There are many ways for institutions to meet the moment and keep our country’s elections free and fair. First, many leaders, particularly those from the business community, meet regularly with members of the executive branch and Congress. They should use these relationships to remind elected officials of the need to respect election results no matter who wins or loses.