For the first time in a decade, the next election could be less secure than the one preceding it

The federal task force that defends US elections has been largely absent this election cycle, and the threat-sharing hub it relied on has been defunded.

By: Scott Shackelford, Indiana University, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: May 20, 2026

Words: 1,318

Last Updated: 2 months ago

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By Scott Shackelford, Indiana University

With the 2026 midterms less than six months away, the Election Security Group would normally be busy helping prepare the nation’s election infrastructure. The federal task force typically briefs Congress on upcoming threats and engages with state and local leaders to game out scenarios ranging from ransomware to critical infrastructure attacks on Election Day.

But Gen. Joshua Rudd, director of the National Security Agency and commander of the …

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