technology ·
States take steps to secure vote after federal pullback
State officials have largely taken securing the 2026 midterm elections into their own hands after nearly two years of federal program and funding cuts during the second Trump administration.
Why it matters: The reduction in federal support has come as AI tools threaten to make it easier for hackers to uncover software vulnerabilities, launch cyberattacks, and spread disinformation that undermines trust in election results. Reality check: Just because a security flaw exists doesn't mean hackers can exploit it to manipulate election results. - Nearly all U.S. elections maintain paper records that can be used to verify electronic tallies. Threat level: Election officials are preparing for everything from cyberattacks and AI-generated disinformation to physical threats, logistical disruptions and legal challenges. Between the lines: Arizona is also getting threat intelligence from former CISA personnel who work in the space, election security nonprofits and officials in other states. - Moore said his relationship with New Jersey's election security officials is particularly useful because his East Coast counterparts can warn him about threats hours before they might emerge in Arizona.
