NBC News Coverage on U.S. Election Security Issues

Collaborative Reporting on Election Security

A team of NBC News journalists works together across the network’s divisions to cover U.S. election security issues. These include misinformation and disinformation on social media, as well as concerns about voting machines and technology.

Vote Watch: Challenges and Issues

Several recent reports have highlighted various challenges in election security. A whistleblower has reported that the USPS system ordered by Trump for mail ballots is flawed and untested. Meanwhile, the White House has referenced the 2020 Arizona voter roll hack to support claims about election integrity.

In Wisconsin, state officials say Elon Musk broke the law by offering voters $1 million payouts, reflecting efforts to influence majority control of a crucial court. On the other hand, the DOJ warns state election officials of criminal charges if noncitizens vote, countering claims by Trump and his administration about widespread noncitizen voting.

Legal and Administrative Actions

Judicial interventions have also played a role in election security. A judge blocked the use of a revamped immigration database for voter roll checks, fearing potential disenfranchisement of eligible voters. In California, slow mail voting counts and unfounded fraud claims by Trump highlight potential issues in the upcoming midterms.

In New Hampshire, a judge ruled that the state must ease citizenship proof requirements during voter registration. Michigan faced demands from the DOJ to turn over 2024 ballots, which the local Attorney General dismissed as baseless.

Georgia lawmakers have ended their session without resolving voting system disputes, nearing a deadline to implement new systems.

Artificial Intelligence in Politics

Artificial intelligence in political advertising is causing concern over potential voter deception, although regulation mainly occurs at the state level.

Efforts to Combat Voter Fraud

Conservative groups are pitching new computer programs to clean voter rolls, though past iterations have received criticism from officials, experts, and activists.

Government and State Collaboration

The DHS clarified to state election officials that ICE agents will not be present at polling places. However, state officials criticize the Trump administration for lapses in election security, exacerbated by federal funding cuts.