Local election officials are seeking help from the Biden administration to combat disinformation regarding voting, but assistance has been scarce. Concerns about infringing on free speech have hindered efforts to address false rumors, some of which have been spread by Donald Trump.
Meanwhile, election officials across the country are facing constant threats. Ahead of the November presidential election, these officials are urging the Biden administration to enhance their safety measures. However, Biden administration officials say their ability to combat disinformation is often hampered by considerations of free speech.
Disinformation, spread online and by former President Trump, has led to threats against election officials, forcing many to seek alternative employment. For example, in South Carolina, 70 percent of election directors have left their jobs since the 2020 election. In Washington state, election officials have received dangerous substances through the mail. Philadelphia's city commissioners, responsible for elections, have been threatened every year since 2020. Most recently, Chairman Omar Sabir received an email warning of unidentified monitors at election centers.
A 2023 poll from the Brennan Center for Justice found that over 85 percent of local election officials would like to see the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) do more to dispel disinformation surrounding elections.
Despite these challenges, experts note that the Biden administration is doing less to combat disinformation than the Trump administration did, particularly in alerting social media companies. This is partly due to a federal judge's ruling last year that hampered the government's ability to address disinformation online.
Efforts are underway within the Biden administration to address these issues, but challenges remain. The Senate Intelligence Committee recently received a classified briefing on election security, but questions remain about who is responsible for coordinating efforts. Federal officials indicate that they will allow local officials to lead, a response that has not satisfied senators.