Democratic state officials are intensifying preparations to address what they describe as a new federal threat to election security ahead of the November midterm elections. In May, staff members from every Democratic attorney general’s office and approximately a dozen Democratic secretaries of state convened in Milwaukee for tabletop exercises simulating various election-related scenarios involving potential federal interference.

Among the scenarios discussed were hypothetical interventions by federal agencies such as the FBI demanding election materials or equipment, the possible deployment of federal troops or agents in ways that could intimidate voters or disrupt voting processes, and the prospect of President Donald Trump declaring a national emergency related to the election. Washington State Attorney General Nick Brown characterized the federal government as the primary concern for election integrity, a shift from previous years when the Department of Justice was considered a key partner in election preparedness.

While the Trump administration has not formally threatened such actions, the administration’s stance on election management has become a point of contention. White House officials dismissed Democratic efforts as unfounded and urged the party to support passing stricter voting laws. In recent public remarks, Mr. Trump expressed regret over not seizing voting machines after the 2020 election and has intensified claims—largely unproven—of widespread voter fraud, including allegations of hundreds of thousands of noncitizens voting illegally across multiple states.

These claims gained renewed attention this week after reports surfaced that about 400 noncitizens cast ballots in New Jersey, following a registration error involving roughly 6,600 residents caused by a software malfunction at the state’s Motor Vehicle Commission. Governor Phil Murphy, a Democrat, condemned the incident as unacceptable. However, a Department of Homeland Security letter obtained by news organizations indicated that estimates cited by Mr. Trump regarding illegal voting are likely inflated and based on preliminary data.

The Milwaukee meeting is part of a broader initiative by Democratic secretaries of state and attorneys general to strengthen coordination nationwide. They are forming two new entities, the AGSOS Election Protection PAC, focused on fundraising and electing Democrats to these offices, and AGSOS Election Protection Action, a policy group. This collaboration builds on existing national organizations representing these officials and aims to create a unified response to perceived federal threats to election administration.

Sean Rankin, president of the Democratic Attorneys General Association, described the effort as a “high-functioning hub” to facilitate coordinated actions to safeguard election results. Nevada Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar, chair of the Democratic Association of Secretaries of State, emphasized the necessity of this network in countering Mr. Trump’s actions, stating that Democrats intend to use all available means to defend voting rights.

Conversely, a White House spokeswoman contended that Democrats’ focus should be on passing the stalled SAVE America Act, legislation containing stricter voter ID and citizenship verification requirements that President Trump has prioritized as part of election integrity measures. Critics argue that these provisions could disenfranchise eligible voters.

As election security concerns evolve, officials like Brown underscore a changing landscape. What might have once been considered unlikely risks of election disruption “are very real” today, he said.