Federal agencies warn of election security concerns, misinformation campaigns

With two weeks left until the 2022 midterms, election security —both at polling locations and in the digital real—is once again at the top of the priority list for city and county administrators.

A joint advisory issued this month by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the FBI warn of this, highlighting potential threats “posed by attempts to manipulate information or spread disinformation in the lead up to and after the 2022 midterm elections,” the statement reads. “Foreign actors may intensify efforts to influence outcomes of the 2022 midterm elections by circulating or amplifying reports of real or alleged malicious cyber activity on election infrastructure.”

These misinformation methods include amplifying false narratives around malicious voter activity and false results on social media platforms, subtly and not-so-subtly inciting violence and encouraging social discord. The goal of these attempts, the advisory continues, is ultimately to sow distrust in the nation’s democratic processes. These seeds have already taken root in some areas.

Recently, in Mesa, Ariz., deputies from the Maricopa County Sheriff’s office were called when two armed “vigilantes” were found dressed in tactical gear at a ballot drop box.

“We are deeply concerned about the safety of individuals who are exercising their constitutional right to vote and who are lawfully taking their early ballot to a drop box. 

Uninformed vigilantes outside Maricopa County’s drop boxes are not increasing election integrity. Instead they are leading to voter intimidation complaints,” Maricopa County Board of Supervisors Chairman Bill Gates and Recorder Stephen Richer responded in a joint statement. While observing elections is legal, voter intimidation isn’t, the statement continues: “For those who want to be involved in election integrity, become a poll worker or an official observer with your political party. Don’t dress in body armor to intimidate voters as they are legally returning their ballots.”

It’s not just voters who are concerned for their safety. Election volunteers are also on edge. Poll results published in March by the Brennan Center for Justice, a nonprofit advocacy group, found that more than half of the nearly 600 local election officials surveyed said they’re concerned about the safety of their colleagues.

“Nearly one in three know at least one colleague who quit their job in part or entirely because of safety concerns, increased threats, or intimidation. And of those who have been threatened, more than half have experienced it up close and personal,” reads an analysis of the findings.

Notably, CISA has issued educational resources to prepare local election officials for voting day, including one focused on non-confrontational techniques that can be employed to diffuse potentially volatile situations.

Beyond influence campaigns before and after Nov. 8, federal agencies are also warning about digital attacks on election infrastructure.

“Election security continues to be one of the FBI’s highest national security priorities across the country and most definitely here in the Northern District of California,” said Assistant Special Agent in Charge Elvis Chan, who leads the FBI’s efforts to enforce election security in the Bay Area and Northern California region. “Citizens have a right to expect free and fair elections, and the FBI is committed to ensuring the integrity of the 2022 midterm elections.” 

Historically, the FBI noted that election infrastructure has been targeted by cybercriminals to steal personal information and other valuable data. Attacks have also been directed to take systems for ransom and demand payment, and to “generally disrupt election operations and undermine U.S. voter confidence in free and fair elections,” according to a statement from the FBI. Federal authorities are actively working with election campaigns, political committees, social media companies, and state and local governments to proactively protect systems.