Hackers targeted election systems in 20 U.S. states

Hackers have targeted the voter registration systems of more than 20 states in recent months, a Homeland Security Department official said.

The disclosure comes amid heightened concerns that foreign hackers might undermine voter confidence in the integrity of U.S. elections. Federal officials and many cybersecurity experts have said it would be nearly impossible for hackers to alter an election’s outcome because election systems are very decentralized and generally not connected to the internet.

It was unclear whether the hackers were foreign or domestic, or what their motives might be.