The American intelligence service declares the possibility of insider threats during the elections

Insider threats are “likely to be a problem.” election centers across the U.S. will face off in the coming weeks, according to a U.S. intelligence memo reviewed by WIRED. These threats, the memorandum warns, “may disrupt or jeopardize a fair and transparent election process”.

The bulletin quotes Department of Homeland Security definition of an insider threat: someone “will use their authorized access, knowingly or unknowingly, to harm an entity.”

This stark warning was included in a situational awareness bulletin on the wider threat landscape facing polling stations ahead of the 2024 elections. It was released this month by the Colorado Information Analysis Center (CIAC), Colorado’s counterterrorism center that compiles intelligence from federal, state and local agencies into threat reports that are shared with its law enforcement partners. The warning comes as election deniers in the US have taken office at every level of the electoral system.

“The whole threat picture has gone up in this election,” Kevin Klein, director of the Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, told WIRED. “I think it’s fair to say that domestic threats are more of a concern than in previous elections.”

“Due to the nature of the election process in the United States, there are many people involved in the administration or performance of duties that support elections, all of whom may be insider threats,” said the bulletin, which was first obtained Property of the Peoplea non-profit organization focused on transparency and national security.

The intelligence bulletin provides several examples of insider threat “red flag” behavior, including attempts to alter or destroy ballots, allowing unauthorized personnel access to polling centers, accessing the computer network at non-standard times, and disabling surveillance cameras.

The bulletin did not say why intelligence officials concluded that insider threats were likely in this election. But since 2020, election conspiracy theorists have been making frantic efforts to establish MAGA supporters and election deniers as workers at all levels of the election process.

Countless “election integrity” conspiracy organizations have appeared in recent years. Initially, most focused on training Donald Trump supporters as “poll watchers”—civilians who observe the democratic process and flag any problems. Since then, their ambitions have expanded to include aspiring “survey workers”. to establish those who object to the election in positions responsible for the administration of elections in US counties and cities.