In Six Decades of Public Life, I Never Thought I Would Write This Piece

By Robert E. Rubin for The New York Times

Robert Rubin, writing in the New York Times, notes that economic concerns are top of mind for voters in the 2026 midterm campaign. Yet Rubin contends that voters are underestimating one vital economic issue: the prospect that Donald Trump will interfere with, or even seek to usurp, the election. He notes that the election could unfold smoothly. But he also outlines ways in which election interference—whether through legal meddling, seizure of ballots, refusal to seat elected members of Congress, or other means—could have long-running economic ramifications. These could include costs analogous to those that stemmed from aggressive enforcement in Minneapolis, as well as a rise in interest rates and a dampening of investment that could ensue if the American rule of law erodes. Election integrity, Rubin contends, is ultimately critical to American prosperity.

Rubin argues that business leaders and financial markets are underestimating the risk of economic damage resulting from efforts to interfere with the election or overturn its results. He concludes with an urgent call to business and community leaders to publicly endorse election integrity and quietly discourage any attempts to disrupt the upcoming vote. This, he says, can help all Americans secure the economic benefits of a free and fair electoral system, regardless of whom they support.