Exclusive: Fears of 'Cracks' in Election Information-Sharing System Under Donald Trump Administration
The decline in support from CISA has prompted state election officials to seek alternative solutions, with some turning to private companies and nonprofits for assistance. This shift has raised concerns about the potential for uneven access to critical information and resources, with smaller states or those with limited budgets potentially being left behind. Fontes noted that while Arizona has been able to establish relationships with technology companies, other states may not have the same level of access. "It's not a replacement for the federal government's role, but it's better than nothing," he said. The National Association of Secretaries of State has been working to facilitate information sharing among states, but officials acknowledge that this effort is still in its early stages and may not be sufficient to address the scale of the challenge. As the 2026 elections approach, state election officials are bracing for a potentially tumultuous period, with many expressing concern that the lack of reliable federal support could leave them vulnerable to cyber threats and other forms of interference.
The dismantling of CISA's infrastructure has left a significant void in the federal government's ability to provide critical support to state election officials. As a result, many states are now relying on private companies and nonprofits to fill the gap, with some forming their own partnerships to share information and resources. This shift has raised concerns about the potential for inconsistent security protocols and unequal access to vital information, potentially leaving smaller states or those with limited budgets more vulnerable to cyber threats.
The lack of federal support has also led to a sense of mistrust among state election officials, with many expressing skepticism about the federal government's ability to provide effective assistance. According to David Becker, founder and executive director of the Center for Election Innovation and Research, "I don't know of a single jurisdiction that is looking to the federal government as a leader or an expert, or a partner. If anything, they're preparing for the opposite." This sentiment is echoed by state officials, who say that nonprofits and private-sector partners have become increasingly important as federal support has receded.
The National Association of Secretaries of State has attempted to step up its efforts to facilitate information sharing among states, but officials acknowledge that this is no substitute for the federal government's role. In an internal email, the association noted that it is "basically recommending sharing everything with everyone depending on each state's comfort level with each entity," but admitted that it cannot provide the same level of support as the federal government. Fontes noted that states have had to rely on their own relationships and internal guardrails to cope with the lack of federal support, saying "it's hurt and it's cost us a lot of time and a lot of energy to try and put stuff back together."
Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows expressed similar concerns, stating that states are shouldering costs once covered by the federal government and often learn about cyber incidents through news reporting rather than federal briefings. "They've continued to send the message that the states are on their own," she said. The lack of classified briefings on potential threats, such as Iran's efforts to disrupt the election, has further exacerbated the sense of unease among state election officials. While working with private sector and nonprofit partners may help fill some of the gaps, Bellows emphasized that "there's no question that this is really a function that the federal government should be providing."
As the 2026 elections approach, state election officials like Hobbs are bracing for a potentially tumultuous period, with many feeling that they are effectively on their own in the face of multiple nation-state threats. "They're shoving all these resources into doing that and we have to fight separately," Hobbs said. "Fifty states and territories are going to fight separately. We try to get unified as much as possible." The challenge ahead will be to find ways to coordinate efforts and share information effectively, despite the lack of federal support, in order to ensure the integrity and security of the electoral process.
The absence of this early warning system has left state election officials like Hobbs to rely on their own resources and private partnerships to detect and respond to potential threats. While major tech companies have offered to provide briefings on election threats, officials acknowledge that these efforts, although welcome, are not a substitute for the intelligence-gathering capabilities of federal agencies.
Hobbs' experience in 2023, where a call from the head of CISA alerted him to suspicious activity on the Clark County, Washington, website, highlights the critical role federal agencies can play in preventing cyberattacks. The swift response, which included disconnecting the state's voter database and deploying a quick reaction team, demonstrates the value of federal support in ensuring the integrity of the electoral process.
In the lead-up to the 2026 midterm elections, the lack of federal assistance has created a sense of uncertainty among state election officials. Without the "safety blanket" of federal help, officials like Hobbs fear that they may be unprepared to respond to a cyberattack, potentially compromising the security of the election. As a result, states are being forced to develop their own strategies for detecting and mitigating threats, which may not be as effective as the support provided by federal agencies.
The dismantling of CISA's infrastructure has left a significant void in the federal government's ability to provide critical support to state election officials. As a result, many states are now relying on private companies and nonprofits to fill the gap, with some forming their own partnerships to share information and resources. This shift has raised concerns about the potential for inconsistent security protocols and unequal access to vital information, potentially leaving smaller states or those with limited budgets more vulnerable to cyber threats.
The lack of federal support has also led to a sense of mistrust among state election officials, with many expressing skepticism about the federal government's ability to provide effective assistance. According to David Becker, founder and executive director of the Center for Election Innovation and Research, "I don't know of a single jurisdiction that is looking to the federal government as a leader or an expert, or a partner. If anything, they're preparing for the opposite." This sentiment is echoed by state officials, who say that nonprofits and private-sector partners have become increasingly important as federal support has receded.
The National Association of Secretaries of State has attempted to step up its efforts to facilitate information sharing among states, but officials acknowledge that this is no substitute for the federal government's role. In an internal email, the association noted that it is "basically recommending sharing everything with everyone depending on each state's comfort level with each entity," but admitted that it cannot provide the same level of support as the federal government. Fontes noted that states have had to rely on their own relationships and internal guardrails to cope with the lack of federal support, saying "it's hurt and it's cost us a lot of time and a lot of energy to try and put stuff back together."
Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows expressed similar concerns, stating that states are shouldering costs once covered by the federal government and often learn about cyber incidents through news reporting rather than federal briefings. "They've continued to send the message that the states are on their own," she said. The lack of classified briefings on potential threats, such as Iran's efforts to disrupt the election, has further exacerbated the sense of unease among state election officials. While working with private sector and nonprofit partners may help fill some of the gaps, Bellows emphasized that "there's no question that this is really a function that the federal government should be providing."
As the 2026 elections approach, state election officials like Hobbs are bracing for a potentially tumultuous period, with many feeling that they are effectively on their own in the face of multiple nation-state threats. "They're shoving all these resources into doing that and we have to fight separately," Hobbs said. "Fifty states and territories are going to fight separately. We try to get unified as much as possible." The challenge ahead will be to find ways to coordinate efforts and share information effectively, despite the lack of federal support, in order to ensure the integrity and security of the electoral process.
The absence of this early warning system has left state election officials like Hobbs to rely on their own resources and private partnerships to detect and respond to potential threats. While major tech companies have offered to provide briefings on election threats, officials acknowledge that these efforts, although welcome, are not a substitute for the intelligence-gathering capabilities of federal agencies.
Hobbs' experience in 2023, where a call from the head of CISA alerted him to suspicious activity on the Clark County, Washington, website, highlights the critical role federal agencies can play in preventing cyberattacks. The swift response, which included disconnecting the state's voter database and deploying a quick reaction team, demonstrates the value of federal support in ensuring the integrity of the electoral process.
In the lead-up to the 2026 midterm elections, the lack of federal assistance has created a sense of uncertainty among state election officials. Without the "safety blanket" of federal help, officials like Hobbs fear that they may be unprepared to respond to a cyberattack, potentially compromising the security of the election. As a result, states are being forced to develop their own strategies for detecting and mitigating threats, which may not be as effective as the support provided by federal agencies.
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