The US national elections face multiple international and local concerns aimed at undermining democracy and eroding trust in electoral procedures and institutions. These threats also seek to destabilize coalitions, exacerbate societal divisions, and advance ideological, political, and economic goals. Threats manifest themselves in multiple ways, including disseminating false information, data tampering to impact election results, and using hack-and-leak operations. The US national elections face several challenging threats, including cyber-attacks, disinformation campaigns, and acts of physical violence.
Cyber Security and Cyber Attacks
An organized cyber assault targeting the US election infrastructure threatens the US national elections. Information and communication technology are increasingly used to administer elections and democratic procedures. These technologies open up a world of new opportunities and threats. The issue of cybersecurity is a significant concern in elections, particularly in nations that do not use electronic voting technology. Countries with advanced technology capabilities, such as the United States, face a significant threat to the integrity of their national elections owing to cybersecurity vulnerabilities. Van der Staak and Wolf (2019) define election hacking as an “internationally wrongful act” under international law. t violates the idea of sovereignty, necessitating a response from the harmed party. Adversaries may attempt to infiltrate or tamper with electronic poll books and voter registration databases to disrupt or impair the electoral process. Online platforms: Threat actors frequently target state and local websites with DDoS, phishing, and ransomware attacks (Tisler & Norden, 2023).
Disinformation and Fake News
The employment of disinformation techniques poses an unprecedented threat to democracy in the United States. Misinformation is transmitting false or erroneous information, particularly on public forums or the media. Disinformation is more than just misinformation because it involves the purposeful dissemination of inaccurate or false information, which governments or unfriendly individuals generally perform. According to research, disinformation does not directly impact voting decisions. Nonetheless, when disseminated by key political figures, particularly those running for national office, it can significantly affect citizens’ perspectives on various topics (Kulachai et al., 2023). Misinformation and fake news have a massive effect on the change in voter behavior. According to Kulachai et al. (2023), social media algorithms create “echo chambers,” facilitating the spread of fake news. Disinformation also erodes public confidence by orchestrating voters’ frustration with results and processes, dissolving approval ratings, and inspiring protests.
Intimidation and Physical Violence
The existence of coercion and physical force is a significant threat to national elections in America. Political violence includes acts of hostility because people have tried to alter or restore specific changes in a country’s political system, including subordinate elements. Political violence, radicalization, and extremism have become more predisposed in the United States, increasing political violence risk (Richelson, 2018). Transmitting misinformation, intimidation, and promoting hatred among fellow citizens fuel political violence. Foreign actors, both state and non-state-sponsored, that use violence or coercion to affect US elections shake the very foundation of our democratic systems by sowing discord among citizens; they advance their strategic interests.
Foreign actors, both state and non-state-sponsored, that use violence or coercion to affect US elections shake the very foundation of our democratic systems by sowing discord among citizens; they advance their strategic interests. State-sponsored and non-state foreign actors that engage in violence or fear tactics aim to undermine the credibility of democracy and stir up conflict and disunity while also working towards strategic interests. The foreign agents who use force or intimidation to impact American elections undermine the democratic order because they weaken legitimacy and integrity, sow turmoil and strife, and promote hate in pursuit of their interests.
Intelligence Community Strategy for Countering the Threats
The Intelligence Community (IC.), which includes the National Security Agency (NSA) working in conjunction with entities like the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), uses several techniques to supervise election security. Their responsibilities encompass conducting inquiries to uncover adversary operations, preventing efforts to disrupt, and delivering periodic information to policymakers and other pertinent stakeholders. In 2020, the Intelligence Community consistently furnished comprehensive material to both presidential campaigns, indicating foreign attempts at involvement. The IC also mitigates cybersecurity risks by distributing intelligence to the general public and sharing best practices and intelligence on potential threats with local and state election officials (Van der Staak & Wolf, 2019).
Furthermore, each agency undertakes additional specialized duties. The DHS actively communicates with state and local governments. At the same time, the FBI’s Foreign Influence Task Force works together with social media companies to tackle instances of false and misleading information that may violate terms of service agreements (Richelson, 2018). The IC counters disinformation and false news by identifying and exposing intervention efforts and foreign influence that seek to undermine public confidence in the political process or alter voter sentiments.
The IC cooperates with intelligence agencies to thwart and dismantle any efforts targeted at intimidating and provoking physical violence within the United States, regardless of whether they originate from foreign or domestic sources (Richelson, 2018). The IC monitors and assesses the intentions, capabilities, and actions of foreign groups that may seek to incite or aid in acts of violence and coercion against American voters, election personnel, or candidates.
Responsibilities and Roles
The primary objective of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) is to take on a prominent position in overseeing the incorporation of intelligence across the entire IC. Intelligence integration synchronizes collecting, assessing, and mitigating potential risks to operate efficiently as a cohesive unit. The ODNI establishes explicit objectives and priorities for collecting, analyzing, generating, and disseminating intelligence nationally.
ODNI is the lead agency that coordinates activities regarding election security. In addition, it acts as a mediator between global gathering activities and grassroots initiatives. The ODNI works with federal departments and agencies, state and local government officials who have jurisdiction over election activities, as well as highly respected partners such that we ensure the protection of our elections while at the same time remaining accountable to the American people about what has been done on their behalf.
FBI works under various legal authorities that empower it to investigate federal crime and threats against national security, perform intelligence activities, and aid conventional law enforcers. The intelligence-driven national security agency takes charge of information and law enforcement jobs. The agency serves as the prime investigative arm of the US Department of Justice. It has full membership in terms of the intelligence community that is located within the United States. The FBI uses various forensic tools to analyze digital evidence, such as smartphones, computer hard drives, and other electronic devices. In elections, the FBI investigates alleged federal crimes that prevent voters from reaching poll locations or negate an individual’s right to vote. A key focus of the CIA is gathering intelligence on foreigners, groups, and states to know what they intend and how they behave. The measure ensures America’s safety, wealth, and goodwill in American diplomatic relations. Furthermore, the CIA disseminates intelligence on global issues—the government judges with such information.
Roles and Responsibilities of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
The DHS promotes national security and facilitates cooperation among several government bodies and the private sector. The primary purpose of the DHS is to guarantee the safety, ability to recover, and resistance against acts of terrorism and other possible dangers within the nation’s boundaries. The DHS aims to enhance security measures and mitigate acts of terrorism within the United States by effectively overseeing the passage of goods and individuals across the nation’s borders. The Department has jurisdiction over multiple areas, including responding to emergencies caused by natural or artificial disasters, managing customs and border control, enforcing immigration laws, conducting antiterrorism operations, and safeguarding cyberspace (Tisler & Norden, 2023). The DHS also ensures the creation of a secure and robust election process, given its crucial importance as a national objective.
Recommendations
To enhance intelligence collecting, the United States might bolster its cooperation with allies to establish a collaborative examination of the most challenging threats, thereby augmenting methodology and risk assessment. Facilitating communication and coordination across the 18 intelligence community institutions and state, federal, municipal, and private sector partners would accelerate sharing and analyzing information. As a result, this will facilitate the prompt identification and mitigation of risks to the security of the United States.
An alternative approach entails enhancing and fortifying intelligence capabilities to promptly and precisely gather information regarding emerging dangers, irrespective of their origin (Tisler & Norden, 2023). The United States should prioritize allocating more resources toward integrating and advancing emerging technologies, including machine learning, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and biotechnology. It will improve the spread and acquisition of intelligence (Lee et al., 2019). To enhance cognitive abilities, assess potential hazards, and acquire data, the United States could improve the transparency and accountability of its intelligence community to both the citizens and Congress. Organizations within the IC must also ensure transparent and unambiguous communication about their mission, operations, goals, and challenges to facilitate efficient collaboration and successfully execute intelligence initiatives.
United States should also strengthen the robustness and flexibility of the IC in response to the constantly evolving geopolitical and security landscape. Several critical dangers to the security and financial well-being of the United States, such as natural calamities, widespread epidemics, cyber assaults, and extremist ideologies rooted in white supremacy, originate either domestically or transcend national borders. This involves addressing challenges such as the resurgence of Russia, the increasing influence of China, the spread of nuclear weapons, the instability in the Middle East, the consequences of climate change, the emergence of new areas of competition and conflict, and the spread of infectious diseases (Tisler & Norden, 2023).
References
Kulachai, W., Lerdtomornsakul, U., & Homyamyen, P. (2023). Factors influencing voting decision: a comprehensive literature review. Social Sciences, 12(9), 469. https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci12090469
Lee, D., Perlin, P., & Schottenfeld, J. (2019). Gathering intelligence: Drifting meaning and the modern surveillance apparatus. J. Nat’l Sec. L. & Pol’y, 10, 77.https://jnslp.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Gathering_Intelligence_2.pdf
Richelson, J. T. (2018). ED. 7 The US intelligence community. Routledge.
Tisler, D., & Norden, L. (2023). Securing the 2024 Election. https://search.issuelab.org/resources/42010/42010.pdf
Van der Staak, S., & Wolf, P. (2019). Cybersecurity in elections: Models of interagency collaboration. International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA).
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