Foreign actors poised to challenge US election validity, officials warn

US adversaries are preparing to stoke uncertainty about the validity of the November 5 presidential election results after polls close, anticipating a contested vote, a senior US intelligence official said on Monday.
In a briefing to reporters on the election influence activities of Russia, China, Iran and Cuba, US intelligence officials said “foreign influence actors” would likely work to sow doubt about the results.
Russia and Iran have already sought to sway US voters during this year’s presidential campaign while China has sought to influence several down-ballot races, including congressional campaigns, according to US intelligence agencies.
Foreign actors would likely seek to use the uncertainty of a contested election to undermine trust in the integrity of the election processes and exacerbate divisions among Americans, according to the US intelligence official.
Russia sought to encourage the US public to oppose pro-Ukrainian policies, while actors linked to China’s government were focused on “tens” of down-ballot races.
The US intelligence official said Beijing is seeking to influence congressional races with candidates regardless of their party affiliation, perceived by Beijing to threaten its core interests, especially in relation to Taiwan. The official did not provide an assessment of what impact the efforts might have.
China’s embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to comment. China’s government denies interference in US elections and calls such claims “malicious speculation”.
US support for Taiwan, the democratic island Beijing claims as its territory, is a longstanding source of friction in US-China relations.
The intelligence community had not yet observed Iran seeking to influence state or congressional races, but did assess its aim was to push voters toward supporting Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic Party’s presidential candidate. That view had not changed since September, when US officials also said Russia sought to denigrate Harris in favour of Donald Trump.
Countries would seek to “launder their narratives” through witting and unwitting American voices and stoke divisions in society on issues such as immigration, abortion, gender rights, the official said.
Cuba was also likely targeting Latino and Spanish-speaking voters on social media with an aim to promote candidates it thought would be favourable to its interests.
Intelligence officials said they had delivered three times the number of “defensive briefings” to candidates, campaigns and election officials about influence operations compared to prior election cycles, including on efforts by Russia, China and Iran.
But they said US voting systems and election workers were the most prepared they’ve ever been.
An official with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency said the US has election infrastructure that is “more secure than any prior election cycle, and we do believe the election community is more prepared for the incidents that may arise than any prior cycle”.