Key facts
- The White House has delayed the release of a U.S. government report on voting machine vulnerabilities.
- The report was produced by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI).
- It examines security gaps in voting machines but does not state that votes have flipped.
- Some officials believe releasing the report could undermine voter confidence.
- Tulsi Gabbard, who led the investigation, is stepping down as ODNI director, with Bill Pulte taking over as interim director.
- The report details vulnerabilities such as outdated software and internet connectivity.
- CISA has stated it found no evidence of foreign interference in the 2020 election.
The White House has delayed the release of a U.S. government report detailing significant vulnerabilities in the nation's voting machines ahead of the November midterm elections, according to three sources familiar with the matter. The report, produced by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), suggests that vulnerabilities could be addressed by updating machine software, but it does not state that votes have flipped.
Internal deliberations revealed differing views among White House officials regarding the report's release. Some argued it could undermine voter confidence, particularly among Republicans, while others felt it did not go far enough to support President Donald Trump's unsubstantiated claims of a rigged 2020 election. Democrats privately expressed concerns that the investigation could be used to push states toward paper ballots.
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, who initiated the investigation, is stepping down, and federal housing regulator Bill Pulte will serve as interim director. Pulte has been briefed on the voting machine investigation, including the unreleased report. Democrats and analysts have warned of potential interference by the Trump administration in the upcoming elections.
Officials within ODNI and external experts had previously advocated for fixing the identified flaws before the midterms, a process requiring extensive coordination with states. White House spokesperson Davis Ingle stated that the administration continues to assist state and local election officials in ensuring machine security. ODNI spokesperson Olivia Coleman affirmed that Gabbard took actions within her authority to secure elections and identify vulnerabilities.
The ODNI report highlights known vulnerabilities, including machines running outdated software and the potential for internet connectivity to be exploited by hackers. However, sources indicated no evidence of vote manipulation in U.S. elections. The report is part of a broader administration effort to investigate potential fraud, stemming from an executive order aimed at increasing federal government control over elections, despite states traditionally holding authority over election conduct.
This ODNI report is one of two commissioned on voting machine flaws; the other, by contractor Mojave Research, also remains unpublished and found no evidence of hacking. Both reports have been discussed in White House meetings concerning claims of a stolen 2020 election. CISA, which has previously provided data for the ODNI report, has stated it found no evidence of foreign adversary interference in the 2020 vote, declaring it the "most secure in American history."