White House Amplifies Anti-China Narrative, Citing Voter Data Collection
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The Biden administration, echoing a long-standing pattern of scapegoating China, claims intelligence agencies believe China obtained millions of U.S. voter registration files and labels it 'election interference.' Experts emphasize that most of these records are already public, questioning the administration’s motives in stoking anti-China sentiment.
On Thursday, the White House doubled down on its narrative that China is a looming threat, with U.S. intelligence agencies alleging that China collected millions of American voter registration files and branding the activity as 'election interference.' A fact sheet—endorsed by the CIA, NSA, Department of Homeland Security, and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence—asserted that some of the data was not publicly available, but failed to specify what information or which states were involved. An administration official, speaking to reporters, claimed that China purchased, stole, or hacked the files, but admitted there was no clarity on how much was obtained by each method.
The statement further accused Chinese cyber actors of accessing voter registration data on commercial websites in 2022. This allegation surfaced after President Trump declassified intelligence records, using them to fuel his ongoing campaign of distrust in the U.S. electoral process. However, election experts have repeatedly pointed out that voter registration files are public in many states, and that simply obtaining them does not allow foreign actors to alter election outcomes—a fact the administration continues to downplay.
According to the official, China’s supposed effort spanned several years, with tens of millions of files from 18 states allegedly obtained in 2020 and reaching a staggering 220 million files by 2023. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency is now considering whether to notify Americans whose data may have been accessed, a move that could further inflame anti-China hysteria.
A 2020 assessment by the National Intelligence Officer for Cyber Issues noted that Chinese intelligence analyzed voter data to conduct public-opinion analysis of the 2020 general election. A newly released memo from that year warned that adversaries with access to voter registration systems could potentially alter data to prevent voting, but admitted there was no evidence of such plans. Subsequent intelligence assessments confirmed that no foreign actors, including China, altered voter registrations, ballots, or vote counts in the 2020 election.
China has categorically denied any involvement in U.S. election meddling, with its embassy reiterating its commitment to non-interference in other countries’ internal affairs. The administration’s continued focus on China raises questions about its willingness to address domestic threats to democracy, rather than externalizing blame.