Election Security: Federal Support Thins as Midterms Near

U.S. election officials face a weakened channel for receiving federal threat intelligence days before the midterm election, according to numerous sources within the sector. While the intelligence community continues to monitor influence operations by Russia, China, and Iran, recent federal budget cuts have limited the ability of agencies to relay that data to state and local administrators. This marks a notable shift from previous cycles where federal coordination was a central pillar of election security.

The Department of Homeland Security attempted to launch a new online platform in October to share threat information. However, officials familiar with the matter described the tool as lacking the credibility it held in prior years. A scheduled classified briefing for election officials in mid-October was initially disrupted by technical failures during the video call. The session was rescheduled and subsequently held without those specific difficulties.

CISA has historically managed the coordination center for election security. During President Trump’s first term, the agency played a key role in warning officials about foreign influence operations. In the current administration, the agency underwent significant staff reductions. Although recent efforts aim to rebuild its election security function, sources indicate the initiative has had limited success in restoring trust among local officials.

Ryan Macias, a former CISA consultant, stated that the relationship between the federal government and election officials has deteriorated. He noted that in many cases, local administrators are unsure who to contact when a cyber or physical incident occurs. David Becker, co-founder of the Center for Election Innovation and Research, said he knows no single election official, regardless of party, who is actively sharing cybersecurity data with the feds right now. He contrasted this with the past four federal election cycles, where information flow was constant.

Scott Leiendecker, who purchased Dominion Voting Systems and rebranded it as Liberty Vote, described the lack of federal cybersecurity support as disappointing. He told reporters that the agency has not maintained the same level of interaction seen in previous years. Leiendecker expressed hope that dialogue would improve in the future. The company’s equipment is currently used in 26 states.

Foreign adversaries remain active in the final stretch of the campaign. Intelligence assessments indicate Russia is using disinformation to target Democratic candidates, while China focuses on down-ballot candidates viewed as anti-China. Suspected Russian operatives have recently posted AI-altered videos on X attacking specific candidates, including a fabricated claim of sexual assault against Texas Senate nominee James Talarico.

Iran’s role is complicated by the ongoing conflict between the two nations. Crude oil prices remained above $100 a barrel on Friday. An analyst at the threat intelligence firm Graphika described Iranian operatives as opportunistic and reactionary. The analyst noted that a perceived threat from the U.S. around the election could trigger increased activity from Iranian hackers and trolls.

Jennifer Morrell, co-founder of the Elections Group, said local officials are spending considerable time preparing for potential federal interference. This effort diverts resources from preparing for foreign threats. Morrell warned that fatigue among staff can lead to mistakes, making them more vulnerable to phishing attempts.

Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin addressed CISA employees last Tuesday, asserting that the midterms would be secure. He cited vulnerabilities in election systems without providing specific evidence. A DHS spokesperson later clarified that state and local officials count ballots, while CISA protects the underlying infrastructure. The department stated that CISA provides voluntary, no-cost services, including technical expertise and vulnerability scanning, to those who request them.