WASHINGTON — The White House has delayed the public release of a U.S. government study examining security vulnerabilities in voting machines ahead of the November 2026 midterm elections, according to people familiar with the matter and reporting on the administration’s handling of the review.
The report was prepared by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and examines potential weaknesses in election equipment, including issues related to software and system security, according to sources cited by Reuters. The report does not conclude that vulnerabilities have been used to change election results, the sources said.
Officials have not publicly released the full findings, and the timing of any future publication remains unclear. The delay has occurred as federal and state officials prepare for the 2026 midterm elections, when voters will choose candidates for congressional and other offices.
According to sources familiar with internal discussions, some White House officials raised concerns that releasing the report could affect public confidence in elections. Other officials questioned whether the findings would support claims made by President Donald Trump and some allies about the 2020 presidential election. Those claims have not been supported by evidence presented in multiple court cases, according to court records and public statements from election officials.
The review is part of a broader administration effort to examine election security following an executive order issued in 2025 directing federal agencies to address election-related issues. Election administration in the United States is primarily managed by state and local governments, according to election officials and constitutional provisions governing elections.
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency has previously said it found no evidence that foreign actors changed votes in the 2020 presidential election and has worked with state and local officials on election security measures.
The White House said it continues to work with election officials to support election security. White House spokesperson Davis Ingle said in a statement that the administration “continues to offer assistance to state and local election officials, including through the FBI and CISA, to ensure the security and integrity of all machines used in American elections.”
The Office of the Director of National Intelligence said the review was conducted within its authority and focused on identifying vulnerabilities in election infrastructure, according to a statement cited in reporting on the matter.
The report’s release date remains unresolved. Officials have not announced whether the study will be made public before the midterm elections or whether additional reviews will be completed.
