Ranking Members Morelle, Meeks Host Queens, NY Shadow Hearing on Election Security, Fighting Trump Administration’s Attacks on Voting
October 13, 2026
With voting underway, lawmakers and voting rights leaders gathered in Queens to defend mail-in voting, combat intimidation and protect election integrity
Queens, NY – Last week, Ranking Member Joe Morelle (NY-25), Committee on House Administration, and Ranking Member Gregory Meeks (NY-05), House Foreign Affairs Committee, hosted a public shadow hearing with members of the New York delegation to confront the Trump administration’s attacks on voting and detail efforts to defend every eligible American’s right to cast a ballot and have it counted.
Experts at the shadow hearing included:
Experts at the shadow hearing included:
- Bethany Li, Executive Director of the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund
- John Cusick, Assistant Counsel at the Legal Defense Fund
- Brian Lemek, President and Executive Director of the Defend the Vote Action Fund
Experts outlined voter education and safeguards countering interference, intimidation and misinformation in the 2026 midterm election. The hearing examined federal demands for sensitive voter information and concerns about armed immigration agents at polling places. Experts detailed ongoing efforts to protect voter privacy and prevent intimidation.
“In this moment, there is nothing more urgent than protecting American democracy,” said Ranking Member Joe Morelle (NY-25). “The election is here and we are protecting every American’s right to the ballot box. Every time the Trump Administration has tried to interfere with the integrity of the midterm elections, they have lost. We need to remain clear-eyed about the threats we continue to face, and we will fight to protect our elections. Failure, quite simply, is not an option. I want to thank Ranking Member Meeks for hosting this convening and the New York delegation for continuing to be on the front lines.”
“The right to vote is the heart of our democracy,” said Ranking Member Gregory Meeks (NY-05). “As the Trump administration continues to attempt to disenfranchise minority communities and cheat their way to a Republican majority in Congress, it is important that we do not waver in our fight to preserve the right to vote. I applaud my colleagues and the experts for showing up, setting the record straight, and empowering voters to cast their ballots.”
“Election security and voting rights are under attack by President Trump and we must do all we can stop this assault on the sacred right to make our voices heard at the ballot box,” said Congresswoman Grace Meng (NY-06). “The President is pushing to add a citizenship question to the 2030 census and remove the collection of race and ethnicity data to manipulate voting maps and to dilute the political representation of diverse communities. He has consistently engaged in fearmongering about the security of mail-in voting, citing false accusations of fraud, and encouraged the use of voter suppression and intimidation tactics to make it harder for Americans to participate in the democratic process. And the Supreme Court’s conservative majority has further gutted the Voting Rights Act, weakening the political power of minority voters. Despite all these unconscionable and reckless attacks, we will never stop fighting to protect the right to vote, which is the foundation of our great democracy. I thank Congressmembers Morelle and Meeks for organizing this shadow hearing in Queens to keep a light shined on one of the most crucial issues facing New York and the nation, and thank you as well to all the witnesses who testified.”
“In this moment, there is nothing more urgent than protecting American democracy,” said Ranking Member Joe Morelle (NY-25). “The election is here and we are protecting every American’s right to the ballot box. Every time the Trump Administration has tried to interfere with the integrity of the midterm elections, they have lost. We need to remain clear-eyed about the threats we continue to face, and we will fight to protect our elections. Failure, quite simply, is not an option. I want to thank Ranking Member Meeks for hosting this convening and the New York delegation for continuing to be on the front lines.”
“The right to vote is the heart of our democracy,” said Ranking Member Gregory Meeks (NY-05). “As the Trump administration continues to attempt to disenfranchise minority communities and cheat their way to a Republican majority in Congress, it is important that we do not waver in our fight to preserve the right to vote. I applaud my colleagues and the experts for showing up, setting the record straight, and empowering voters to cast their ballots.”
“Election security and voting rights are under attack by President Trump and we must do all we can stop this assault on the sacred right to make our voices heard at the ballot box,” said Congresswoman Grace Meng (NY-06). “The President is pushing to add a citizenship question to the 2030 census and remove the collection of race and ethnicity data to manipulate voting maps and to dilute the political representation of diverse communities. He has consistently engaged in fearmongering about the security of mail-in voting, citing false accusations of fraud, and encouraged the use of voter suppression and intimidation tactics to make it harder for Americans to participate in the democratic process. And the Supreme Court’s conservative majority has further gutted the Voting Rights Act, weakening the political power of minority voters. Despite all these unconscionable and reckless attacks, we will never stop fighting to protect the right to vote, which is the foundation of our great democracy. I thank Congressmembers Morelle and Meeks for organizing this shadow hearing in Queens to keep a light shined on one of the most crucial issues facing New York and the nation, and thank you as well to all the witnesses who testified.”
“My grandparents, immigrants from Poland, worked hard to become U.S. citizens and earn the right to vote,” said Congressman Paul Tonko (NY-20). “Their unwavering belief in our democracy instilled in me the importance of that right for all citizens. At a time when this Trump administration is seeking to undermine our election system and disenfranchise entire communities, it is more important than ever to stand up and defend this fundamental right. I’m grateful to my colleagues for holding this important hearing and doing all in our power to ensure the American people’s voices are heard.”
“Republicans continue to push lies and intimidate voters across the country to depress voter turnout and sow distrust in our elections at all levels,” said Congressman Adriano Espaillat (NY-13). “We have a duty to ensure the safety of everyone at the ballot box not only this November, but for every election. Democracy requires our most ardent protection and hosting these hearings are part of the ongoing mission to serve all Americans who deserve fair, free, and safe elections.”
Ranking Member Morelle and the Committee on House Administration is charged with the oversight of federal elections, including considering proposals to amend federal election law and monitoring congressional elections across the U.S.
Watch a recording of the event here.
“Republicans continue to push lies and intimidate voters across the country to depress voter turnout and sow distrust in our elections at all levels,” said Congressman Adriano Espaillat (NY-13). “We have a duty to ensure the safety of everyone at the ballot box not only this November, but for every election. Democracy requires our most ardent protection and hosting these hearings are part of the ongoing mission to serve all Americans who deserve fair, free, and safe elections.”
Ranking Member Morelle and the Committee on House Administration is charged with the oversight of federal elections, including considering proposals to amend federal election law and monitoring congressional elections across the U.S.
Watch a recording of the event here.
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Issues:Elections/Voting Rights