Axios

State officials have largely taken securing the 2026 midterm elections into their own hands after nearly two years of federal program and funding cuts during the second Trump administration.

Why it matters: The reduction in federal support has come as AI tools threaten to make it easier for hackers to uncover software vulnerabilities, launch cyberattacks, and spread disinformation that undermines trust in election results.

There's a lot at stake for energy in the midterms, from the fate of the bipartisan permitting deal to the growing backlash against data centers and electricity prices.

Why it matters: The results could spotlight which energy topics resonate with voters — and which have become political liabilities.

The Justice Department said Tuesday it will deploy about 1,000 election monitors to all 50 states for the first time ever to watch the polls.

Why it matters: The unprecedented effort comes after courts repeatedly rejected the DOJ's efforts to force states to restrict voting for alleged noncitizens.