Federal authorities under U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi are investigating whether election officials could face federal criminal charges for failing to meet national voting security standards.
The Department of Justice has launched a preliminary review examining whether mismanagement or cybersecurity negligence in electronic voting systems may be punishable under federal law.
The effort, which remains in an exploratory phase, could pave the way for unprecedented legal accountability targeting state and local election administrators accused of inadequate security practices.
The focus of the Department of Justice (DOJ) review includes machine calibration failures and potential breaches in cybersecurity protocols that have drawn attention since the 2020 election, the New York Times reported.
Though not legally tied to previous allegations about vote machine irregularities, the investigation reflects broader concerns about election system vulnerabilities raised in recent years.
This move follows a growing push within the federal government to evaluate existing legal tools for holding officials accountable when public trust in the electoral system is at risk.
Election offices in Wisconsin, North Carolina, and Colorado have reported receiving questions from the DOJ.
Additional states are expected to be contacted as the review expands.
One inquiry reportedly asked state officials to describe the technological safeguards used to prevent unauthorized access to the statewide voter registration system.
According to a DOJ spokesperson:
“The department will leave no option off the table when it comes to promoting free, fair, and secure elections,” signaling a broad scope for the inquiry.
In March, President Trump signed an executive order directing Bondi and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
The president ordered federal officials to secure the nation’s elections and assess technology vulnerabilities.
The order prohibits noncitizens from involvement in election operations.
It also requires a report from DHS on risks associated with electronic voting systems across the country.
Within the DOJ, officials remain divided on the legal path forward.
Some cite constitutional limits tied to decentralized election administration at the state level.
FBI Director Kash Patel recently reopened an investigation into an alleged 2020 plot by the Chinese government.
The ruling Chinese Communist Party sought to interfere in the U.S. presidential election using counterfeit identification.
Patel testified that earlier FBI leadership had ignored key intelligence.
The intel included seizures of over 10,000 fake driver’s licenses.
The fake IDs are believed to be connected to foreign actors seeking to exploit the election system.
Patel and Deputy Director Dan Bongino claimed an internal report on the matter was intentionally removed from agency databases.
They are accusing former officials of politicizing enforcement efforts.
READ MORE – Senate Investigating Withheld FBI Records on Chinese Interference in American Elections
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