Campaigns & Elections
Suburban Houston voters will be the first in Texas to decide the fate of Flock cameras
Tuesday’s election will determine if League City can keep its 55 cameras operating along city roads.
Trump administration stokes concerns about Chinese-made parts in voting equipment, but experts say risks remain low
Risks from foreign parts are real, experts say, but there is no evidence malign actors are trying to steal the election.
Russia targets Democrats and Ukraine supporters ahead of midterms, top intel lawmakers say
Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., and Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn., described Russian disinformation and more targeted Chinese influence efforts during a press roundtable, while reporting better access under intelligence chief Jay Clayton.
Officials see gaps in election communications as AI makes foreign influence easier
Sources describe weakening cooperation between the federal government and state and industry partners ahead of the midterms, as AI gives foreign operatives cheaper ways to produce and spread deceptive messages.
Supreme Court OKs use of federal citizenship tool to vet voters, but midterm impact will be limited
The ruling is a victory for Trump’s efforts to give the federal government a larger role in election administration.
Federal judge says AI deepfake election law violates First Amendment
The ruling states the law is likely unconstitutional, but stops short of striking it down.
Counties and cities sue over counterterrorism grant rule changes
The four local governments said the Department of Homeland Security’s efforts to tie the grants to election security measures were unconstitutional, as states run elections, not the feds.
‘I don’t trust you’: Tensions reach boiling point on election security call for state leaders hosted by Trump administration
Democratic election officials criticized Homeland Security leaders for lackluster support as the midterm election looms.
Voting machine researchers say federal work abruptly ended after Trump ally pushed back on their findings
Mojave Research executives said at DEF CON that the government had been preparing to expand the company’s election security work, and linked Trump adviser Kurt Olsen to pressure they faced after finding election system vulnerabilities but no evidence votes were altered.
Powering the ballot: Why AI’s energy footprint is the ultimate midterm election issue
COMMENTARY | Americans are pushing back against the power demands of AI buildout. Data centers should use existing technology to ease that strain before asking for ratepayers to stump up.
Feds tie counterterrorism grants to election security measures
The new guidance from FEMA would require states to take various steps on elections before receiving funds. Government groups criticized the move as an overreach.
Trump empties out election commission leadership just months before midterms
The shake-up raises questions about voting system certification, federal election security coordination, and the commission’s ability to approve key policy decisions.
Federal judge blocks Trump administration’s overhaul of SAVE database
Several states have used the revamped database to verify voters’ citizenship, but the judge said this threatened their privacy and voting rights.
How are New York’s congressional candidates using AI? Debate moderators want to know
“What’s your chatbot?” is the new “what’s your bagel order?”
Data center moratoriums gain ground in states and cities
Legislators in New York passed a bill imposing a one-year pause on new hyperscale data centers, while residents in one California city voted recently for a complete ban.
Hackers are already laying groundwork to disrupt the 2026 midterms, research says
The report from cybersecurity firm Check Point lands as the Trump administration pushes new voting rules and intelligence officials face questions about how they are handling foreign election threats.
Feds assign two officials to lead intelligence coordination on election threats
For months, it was unclear if ODNI ever named an election threats executive responsible for leading election security efforts in the 2026 midterm cycle.
Senator warns CISA election security pullback could leave midterms vulnerable
Mark Warner, the Senate Intelligence Committee’s top Democrat, pressed DHS over reports that states are no longer receiving the same cybersecurity and protection support ahead of the 2026 elections.
Data centers hit the ballot this year
Residents in a Wisconsin city already passed a measure to restrict their development, while others may follow, including a statewide effort in Ohio.
Data center ban on the Ohio ballot? Petitioners get approval to start gathering signatures
Ohio Residents for Responsible Development can start collecting signatures to get a proposed constitutional amendment to prevent new, large data centers in Ohio on the November ballot.
