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The Department of Homeland Security told election officials in 21 states Friday their election systems were hacked in September of 2016, per the AP.

Data: AP reports, Department of Homeland Security; Cartogram: Axios Visuals via Associated Press. Data as of Sept. 22, 6pm.

Government officials told the AP they believe the hackers were Russian agents.

In most cases the systems were not breached.

Most of the states heard Friday for the first time of this hacking.

Why it matters: That's direct confirmation from the government that it believes Russian agents tried to hack the election.

Hackers targeted 21 states' election systems last year

Politics

Cybersecurity

<p>The Department of Homeland Security told election officials in 21 states Friday their election systems were hacked in September of 2016, per the AP.</p><div><figure><div id="av-2017-09-22-hacked-states" style="max-width:100%" data-vars-category="embed" data-vars-sub-category="axios-visual" data-vars-asset-id="av-2017-09-22-hacked-states" class="gtmView"><img alt="" class="axios-visual-newsletter-fallback-image"/><img alt="" class="axios-visual-apple-fallback-image"/></div></figure><div style="display:none"></div></div><p>Data: AP reports, Department of Homeland Security; Cartogram: Axios Visuals via Associated Press. Data as of Sept. 22, 6pm.</p>

President Biden has made the COVID-19 crisis and a post-Trump return to national unity and traditional democratic ideals his top priorities. From vaccinations to stimulus to schools, Biden is seeking bipartisan compromise while showing a willingness to use executive authority and bare Democratic majorities in the U.S. House and Senate to implement his policies. Republican leaders are navigating deep party divisions over if and how to move beyond former President Trump.

Hackers targeted 21 states' election systems last year

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