WASHINGTON — A new cybersecurity report has raised concerns about potential disruptions to the 2026 U.S. midterm elections, highlighting risks from hackers targeting campaign infrastructure, fundraising platforms and public information channels.
Cybersecurity firm Check Point released the assessment on June 1, warning that threat actors are already laying groundwork for phishing attacks, credential theft, AI-generated deception and foreign influence operations ahead of the November vote. The report emphasized that election-adjacent systems, rather than voting machines directly, present the more immediate vulnerabilities.
“Overall, the most significant 2026 risks center on the trusted accounts, platforms, services, and information channels that election-related organizations rely on to operate and maintain public trust,” the report stated.
The findings come as election officials and experts express ongoing worries about misinformation, personal safety and resource constraints. A Brennan Center for Justice survey of local election officials earlier this year found persistent concerns about government support and political interference.
Federal and state authorities have acknowledged the need for heightened vigilance. Cybersecurity experts noted that AI tools are lowering barriers for influence campaigns, enabling faster creation of deceptive content. Details on specific ongoing threats or attributed actors remain unclear, according to available public information.
President Donald Trump and some Republican leaders have repeatedly voiced concerns about voter fraud and election integrity, while Democratic officials and voting rights groups have stressed the rarity of widespread fraud and warned against measures that could restrict access. Polls indicate that many Americans share worries about both fraud and potential disenfranchisement.
The Check Point report does not point to imminent attacks on core voting systems but calls for stronger defenses across the broader election ecosystem, including media and government services.
As of Monday, no major incidents linked to the reported threats had been publicly confirmed. Election security preparations continue at federal, state and local levels, with officials monitoring developments in the months leading to the midterms. Further assessments and mitigation efforts are expected in the coming weeks.
