Exclusive: Fears of 'Cracks' in Election Information-Sharing System Under Donald Trump Administration
This decrease in support has prompted state election officials to seek alternative methods for sharing threat information and receiving cybersecurity assistance. As a result, many are turning to private companies and nonprofits for help, a shift that has raised concerns about the potential for unequal access to critical information. Fontes noted that while these alternative channels may be sufficient for the 2026 elections, they are not a replacement for the federal system, which had provided a centralized and standardized approach to election security. The reliance on private companies also raises questions about the potential for conflicts of interest and the long-term sustainability of these partnerships. Meanwhile, the National Association of Secretaries of State has continued to push for the federal government to re-establish a reliable channel for sharing election threat information, with Watson emphasizing the need for clarity on the availability of federal services for the 2026 election year. Despite these efforts, state election officials remain uncertain about the level of support they can expect from the federal government, leaving many to wonder how they will fill the gaps in election security.
The dismantling of CISA's infrastructure has left a significant void in the federal government's ability to inform election officials of potential cyber threats. This has prompted state officials to rely heavily on nonprofits and private-sector partners to fill the gap. David Becker, founder and executive director of the Center for Election Innovation and Research, notes that many election officials are now leery of trusting the federal government due to its recent actions.
Becker stated that he is not aware of any jurisdiction that views the federal government as a leader or expert in election security, and instead, they are preparing for the opposite. The National Association of Secretaries of State has increased its efforts to support states, but an internal email from the organization acknowledges its limitations in providing incident response.
Fontes emphasized that state officials have had to rely on their relationships with one another and internal safeguards to compensate for the lack of federal support. Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows pointed out that states are now shouldering costs that were previously covered by the federal government and often learn about cyber incidents through news reports rather than federal briefings.
Bellows noted that there have been no classified briefings for election officials regarding potential Iranian interference in the election, highlighting the federal government's diminished role in providing critical information. While partnerships with private sector and nonprofit organizations can help fill the gaps, Bellows emphasized that this is a function that the federal government should be providing.
State election officials, including Hobbs, feel that they are on their own in countering the efforts of nation-states seeking to interfere with U.S. elections. With 50 states and territories fighting separately, the challenge of achieving a unified response to these threats has become increasingly daunting.
Hobbs' experience highlights the critical role federal agencies played in providing timely warnings and support to state election officials. The absence of such warnings has left officials like Hobbs to rely on their own resources and partnerships with private companies to detect and respond to potential threats. While major tech companies have offered to brief election officials on threats, officials acknowledge that these briefings are no substitute for the intelligence-gathering capabilities of federal agencies.
The National Association of Secretaries of State's plans to offer a series of briefings on election threats this year are seen as a positive step, but officials caution that these efforts may not be enough to fill the void left by the dismantling of CISA's infrastructure. As the 2026 midterm elections approach, state election officials are bracing themselves for the possibility of cyberattacks, and many are expressing concern that they may not have the necessary support or resources to respond effectively.
Without the federal government's support, election officials may be forced to respond to cyberattacks after they have occurred, rather than being able to prevent them from happening in the first place. This has significant implications for the integrity of the electoral process and the confidence of voters in the outcome of elections. As state officials struggle to fill the gap left by the federal government, they are calling for a renewed commitment to supporting election security and providing the resources needed to protect the integrity of the electoral process.
The dismantling of CISA's infrastructure has left a significant void in the federal government's ability to inform election officials of potential cyber threats. This has prompted state officials to rely heavily on nonprofits and private-sector partners to fill the gap. David Becker, founder and executive director of the Center for Election Innovation and Research, notes that many election officials are now leery of trusting the federal government due to its recent actions.
Becker stated that he is not aware of any jurisdiction that views the federal government as a leader or expert in election security, and instead, they are preparing for the opposite. The National Association of Secretaries of State has increased its efforts to support states, but an internal email from the organization acknowledges its limitations in providing incident response.
Fontes emphasized that state officials have had to rely on their relationships with one another and internal safeguards to compensate for the lack of federal support. Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows pointed out that states are now shouldering costs that were previously covered by the federal government and often learn about cyber incidents through news reports rather than federal briefings.
Bellows noted that there have been no classified briefings for election officials regarding potential Iranian interference in the election, highlighting the federal government's diminished role in providing critical information. While partnerships with private sector and nonprofit organizations can help fill the gaps, Bellows emphasized that this is a function that the federal government should be providing.
State election officials, including Hobbs, feel that they are on their own in countering the efforts of nation-states seeking to interfere with U.S. elections. With 50 states and territories fighting separately, the challenge of achieving a unified response to these threats has become increasingly daunting.
Hobbs' experience highlights the critical role federal agencies played in providing timely warnings and support to state election officials. The absence of such warnings has left officials like Hobbs to rely on their own resources and partnerships with private companies to detect and respond to potential threats. While major tech companies have offered to brief election officials on threats, officials acknowledge that these briefings are no substitute for the intelligence-gathering capabilities of federal agencies.
The National Association of Secretaries of State's plans to offer a series of briefings on election threats this year are seen as a positive step, but officials caution that these efforts may not be enough to fill the void left by the dismantling of CISA's infrastructure. As the 2026 midterm elections approach, state election officials are bracing themselves for the possibility of cyberattacks, and many are expressing concern that they may not have the necessary support or resources to respond effectively.
Without the federal government's support, election officials may be forced to respond to cyberattacks after they have occurred, rather than being able to prevent them from happening in the first place. This has significant implications for the integrity of the electoral process and the confidence of voters in the outcome of elections. As state officials struggle to fill the gap left by the federal government, they are calling for a renewed commitment to supporting election security and providing the resources needed to protect the integrity of the electoral process.
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