Ankita Rao

“There are double the number of lawn signs,”

Ankita Rao · said date not stated · reported 2026-10-05

Ankita Rao observes an increase in lawn signs as a sign of defiance in cities with military presence.

“We hear this a lot from Democrats who are worried about making sure their vote counts, and more nervous about using mail-in ballots.”

Ankita Rao · said date not stated · reported 2026-10-05

Ankita Rao describes what Guardian reporters are hearing from Democrats in communities they are visiting.

“We know the states where the election systems are fully controlled by Republicans, and we’re ready to move everybody there if we see anything strange happening”

Ankita Rao · said date not stated · reported 2026-10-05

Ankita Rao describes the Guardian's readiness to deploy reporters to states with Republican-controlled election systems if irregularities occur.

“So we are prepared for anything,”

Ankita Rao · said date not stated · reported 2026-10-05

Ankita Rao responds to concerns about election interference and Trump's refusal to rule out declaring a national emergency around elections.

“We had four reporters on that, but now they’re part of the larger politics team, and election integrity has become essential to our coverage,”

Ankita Rao · said date not stated · reported 2026-10-05

Ankita Rao describes how the Guardian's democracy reporting team evolved into the larger politics team.

“There’s a sense that ‘we need to go out in droves and make sure that all of these wins are very decisive, so that nobody can question them’.”

Ankita Rao · said date not stated · reported 2026-10-05

Ankita Rao describes a sense among voters that decisive wins are needed to prevent results from being questioned.

“It adds a layer of subtle fear. I’m not actively scared about walking around DC, but it feels as if things could escalate really quickly.”

Ankita Rao · said date not stated · reported 2026-10-05

Ankita Rao describes how the militarisation of Washington DC affects her daily life and sense of safety.

“it looks as if the Democrats will absolutely win the House and most likely win the Senate”

Ankita Rao · said date not stated · reported 2026-10-05

Ankita Rao gives her assessment of what would happen if an election were called tomorrow.

“who they felt would actually stick it to the man”

Ankita Rao · said date not stated · reported 2026-10-05

Ankita Rao explains that during primary season, both Democrats and Republicans chose candidates who they felt would challenge the establishment.

“Places where we see this military presence – in Minneapolis, or LA, or DC – are such vocal, largely Democratic cities that people are undeterred.”

Ankita Rao · said date not stated · reported 2026-10-05

Ankita Rao explains that military presence in Democratic cities has not deterred voters from expressing their preferences.

“partly because he can’t see beyond his own fixations”

Ankita Rao · said date not stated · reported 2026-10-05

Ankita Rao explains that Trump's political instincts have faltered due to his personal fixations.

“She was very clear about her affiliation when she ran, but she hasn’t been that type of lawmaker where she exists to stop the party from doing certain things. She has been much more strategic and collaborative with establishment Democrats.”

Ankita Rao · said date not stated · reported 2026-10-05

Ankita Rao describes how Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has been more strategic and collaborative with establishment Democrats than expected.