Election officials prepare for possible federal interference

State and local election officials are preparing for possible federal interference in the Nov. 3 election, training poll workers and consulting lawyers and law enforcement while acknowledging that the scenarios may never occur. Officials said they are considering how to respond if federal agents appear at polling places, how federal monitors may operate and where federal authority ends. Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows said her office has never before scenario-planned for potential federal interference in elections. The preparations come amid concerns that federal actions could disrupt voting or undermine public confidence in results. Officials have discussed the possibility of agents at polling places, ballot seizures or other federal steps, but those remain scenarios, not confirmed plans. President Donald Trump has refused to rule out invoking the Insurrection Act in connection with the election, according to the report. Federal election monitors have already been sent to Michigan during an August primary, according to Ingham County Clerk Barb Byrum. She said monitors suggested there had been long lines and problems involving provisional ballots and voter checks,...