Campaigns & Elections
‘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.
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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.
Trump’s goal to create state-by-state citizenship lists isn’t feasible, experts say
A Tuesday executive order mandating that DHS create state-by-state citizenship lists is Trump’s latest effort to exert some control over state-run elections.
Trump signs executive order setting rules for mail-in voting and eligibility lists
The president has long disputed the mail-in voting process since his 2020 election run. The order is very likely to face legal challenges.
In bid for voter data, Trump’s DOJ lays groundwork to undermine confidence in midterms
The US Department of Justice says state rolls are needed to ensure fairness of elections.
AI enters the race: How Texas primary candidates are using it in 2026 ads
As Texas voters head into the 2026 primary, candidates are using artificial intelligence to mock opponents and sharpen attacks.
Maine secretary of state reflects on a tumultuous period
Shenna Bellows has lived through federal demands for voter data, ICE raids, doxing and more. But with this year’s midterm elections fast approaching, there’s more to do.
‘Cowards’: State leaders condemn Trump admin election actions
A raid in Georgia and continued government legal action for voter data prompted a furious response, especially after administration officials abruptly withdrew from a hastily scheduled conference appearance.
AI’s elections impact likely to grow next year, report warns
Experts warned that 2025 was just the “tip of the iceberg” in how the technology could be used, especially in deepfakes and misinformation campaigns.
