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Politics

Election officials turn to local partners as federal cyber agency steps back

With the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency largely absent, state election officials are relying on peer networks, nonprofits and contractors for security during early voting.

Since its establishment in 2018, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency has supported election security against a range of threats. This year, however, the agency is not providing its usual assistance as early voting begins nationwide. To fill the void, election officials are coordinating with a coalition of peer groups, nonprofit organizations and private contractors. These entities aim to address gaps left by the reduced federal involvement.

Why it matters

Voter confidence depends on reliable election security, and reduced federal support shifts responsibility to less coordinated local actors.

In this story

election securityearly votingfederal agencynonprofit partnersprivate contractorscyber threatsdeepfakesdisinformation
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