The US Federal Election Commission, which tracks spendings of candidates in elections, said Tuesday that some of the services on its websites are down. The update came after Reuters reported that hackers allegedly tried to breach it.
Reuters reported that it has seen an email from inside the FEC confirming that hackers tried to breach the website's systems. FEC has not confirmed the reported hacking attempt. In a statement to Reuters, the commission only said the electronic filing system on the website is down and the "IT staff are actively working to restore service."
The electronic filing system allows candidates and political committees to submit documents related to their spending in the elections. The FEC requires political candidates and committees to update their spending on its website every 24 to 48 hours.
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Coming just weeks before the US midterm elections in November, the breach report has raised concerns, despite the FEC's limited role as an election watchdog.
{{/usCountry}}Coming just weeks before the US midterm elections in November, the breach report has raised concerns, despite the FEC's limited role as an election watchdog.
{{/usCountry}}It is unclear for how long the website's filing system has been down since Tuesday afternoon. The FEC has not provided a clear timeline on when it could be back.
FEC faces an unprecedented staffing crisis
Even as the November US midterm elections draws near, the Federal Election Commission is facing a major staffing crisis.
The top of the agency is the most affected, with only two of the six commissioners appointed. For months now, the FEC has been unable to fulfil the quorum required to convene its meetings since May 2025. Notably, nominations have been made for the vacant seats at the FEC, but those have not been approved by the Senate.
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This hurdle has meant that the FEC has been unable to open investigations, carry out audits or even make rules ahead of the crucial November midterms. According to a CBS News report, the FEC now has a backlog of over 300 cases.
The report adds that in the 12 months before the May 2025 pause, the FEC closed 180 cases amounting to around $1 million in civil penalties.