• The White House has delayed the release of a report by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard detailing vulnerabilities in U.S. voting machines, according to sources familiar with the matter.
  • The delay has sparked criticism from lawmakers and election security advocates, who argue it undermines transparency ahead of upcoming elections.
  • The report, completed by ODNI, identifies specific flaws in widely used electronic voting systems, but the White House has cited national security concerns for the hold.

Report Delay Raises Election Security Questions

The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), led by Tulsi Gabbard, has completed a classified report on vulnerabilities in U.S. voting machines, but the White House has delayed its release, according to two people familiar with the matter. The report, which was submitted to the White House last week, outlines potential weaknesses in several models of electronic voting machines used across multiple states, according to these sources.

The White House has not provided a timeline for when the report might be made public or shared with state election officials. A spokesperson for the White House declined to comment, referring questions to ODNI. An ODNI spokesperson said the agency is “working closely with the White House to ensure appropriate handling of sensitive information,” but did not confirm the report’s existence.

The delay comes amid heightened scrutiny of election security following the 2020 and 2022 cycles. Election security experts argue that timely disclosure of vulnerabilities is critical to allow states to implement safeguards, such as paper ballot audits or software patches, before the next election cycle.

“Without access to this information, states cannot fully assess their risks,” said a former cybersecurity official who worked on election security at the Department of Homeland Security. “This delay could leave systems exposed.”

Political and Economic Implications

The standoff has drawn sharp reactions from both parties. Several Democratic senators have called for immediate release, citing the need for public confidence in election infrastructure. Republican lawmakers have been more cautious, with some urging the White House to balance transparency with security concerns.

The broader economic impact could affect voting machine vendors, such as Dominion Voting Systems and Election Systems & Software, whose stocks may face pressure if vulnerabilities are made public. Public confidence in election outcomes—already a flashpoint—could also be shaken, potentially altering voter turnout or state procurement decisions for future hardware.

The report’s delay also adds to tensions between the intelligence community and the White House. Gabbard, a former Democratic presidential candidate, was confirmed as DNI earlier this year amid controversy over her past statements on foreign policy. The report is seen as a test of her independence from political pressure.

What's Next?

Sources say ODNI is pushing for a declassified version to be released within weeks, but the White House has not committed to any deadline. Without a deal, the report may remain classified until after the next election, according to one person familiar with the discussions.

The White House and ODNI did not respond to requests for comment.

Update: This article has been updated to include a response from the White House.