FBI outlines federal crimes and worker safety risks for 2026 US midterms

The Federal Bureau of Investigation has issued advisories outlining federal election crimes and safety risks for election workers ahead of the November 2026 midterm elections. These notices target organisations involved in election administration, including state boards, contractors and volunteers. The bureau emphasises that threats to these individuals jeopardise electoral stability. It urges the public to report suspected violations through local field offices or electronic channels.

Root cause

Election crimes undermine public confidence in democratic processes. The FBI categorises these offences into civil rights violations, such as voter suppression or intimidation. Other categories include providing false registration information, tampering with ballots and threatening voters with harm. Intentionally lying about election logistics to prevent voting is also cited. Additional violations involve prohibited foreign contributions and misuse of campaign funds for personal purposes.

Attack path

Threats against election workers can be communicated through telephone calls, emails, social media posts and in-person statements. The bureau states it takes all threats of violence seriously, regardless of the method used. Disinformation campaigns may spread false information about voting times or locations via social platforms. Individuals may also receive solicitations for illegal campaign contributions from unknown entities.

Affected versions

The advisories apply to all US midterm elections in November 2026. They cover a broad definition of election workers, including:

• Elected and appointed officials and their staff
• State or county board of elections employees
• Polling station volunteers
• Contractors and vendors with election administration responsibilities

Mitigation

• Verify election information using official websites like USA.gov or the Election Assistance Commission.
• Use social media platform tools to report posts spreading false voting information.
• Check political committee registration status on the Federal Election Commission website before donating.
• Report threats or crimes with screenshots, names and locations to the FBI.

What it means for organisations

Organisations involved in election administration should review their security protocols for staff and volunteers. Teams usually need to establish clear channels for reporting threats received via email or social media. Management should ensure all contractors and vendors understand the broad definition of election workers. Internal communications must clarify how to document and escalate incidents involving intimidation or disinformation. Legal and HR departments should be briefed on the eight categories of federal crimes to ensure proper reporting procedures are followed.

What to do and how to stay safe: FBI

• Monitor official government websites for verified election dates and locations.
• Report suspicious social media posts using built-in platform reporting tools.
• Document any threats or false information with screenshots and contact details.
• Submit tips to the FBI with specific evidence such as names and locations.

General security guidance from the TechSec Observer newsroom. It is not confirmed advice from the organisations named in this story.

Frequently asked questions

Who is considered an election worker by the FBI?

The bureau defines election workers broadly, including elected officials, staff, volunteers, contractors, vendors and liaisons responsible for election administration.

How can I report election crimes to the FBI?

You can report suspected violations to your local FBI field office or submit an electronic tip with available information such as screenshots and names.

What types of election crimes does the FBI warn about?

The FBI warns about civil rights violations, ballot tampering, false registration information, threats to voters, disinformation about logistics and illegal contributions.