States take steps to secure vote after federal pullback

State officials are stepping up efforts to secure the 2026 midterm elections following significant federal funding and program cuts during the Trump administration. This shift comes amid growing concerns that AI-driven tools could make it easier for hackers to exploit software vulnerabilities, launch cyberattacks, and spread disinformation, thus undermining trust in election results. The proactive measures by states underscore the critical need to bolster election security as potential threats evolve. This move highlights the growing divide between federal and state-level responses to election security challenges.