Election security: Officials say 2024 election saw only 'minor' disruptive activities

Voting hours were extended at a number of polling sites due to technical issues.

From the polling place to the courtroom, ABC News tracks the latest election security developments on Election Day 2024 as experts warn about the spread of misinformation and disinformation from within the U.S. and abroad.

Security experts stress that the nation's voting infrastructure is highly secure, and that isolated voting issues do not indicate widespread election fraud.

For coverage of each race, see our election updates.

Nov 4, 10:33 am

How to watch ABC News coverage of Election Day

On Election Day, voters around the country will eagerly wait to hear if former President Donald Trump or Vice President Kamala Harris comes out on top in the race for the White House.

ABC News will have full coverage of the presidential election results and many other key down-ballot races on Election Day and the days afterward as votes continue to get counted.

Here's how to watch ABC News live coverage of 2024 election results.

Nov 04, 2024, 1:36 PM EST

North Carolina elections chief pleads for 'peaceful transition of power'

On the eve of Election Day, the head of elections in the battleground state of North Carolina has issued an on-camera plea to candidates on the ballot tomorrow: "I would just make a plea to the candidates and elected officials: Have a peaceful transition of power. Accept the results. Concede defeat when necessary," Karen Brinson Bell, the executive director of the state’s board of elections, said during a press conference Monday.

Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally at J.S. Dorton Arena, Nov. 4, 2024, in Raleigh, N.C.
Evan Vucci/AP

While saying that "there’s more hostility" this election, she also urged candidates, voters and others to "please recognize" that election workers are "members of this community" who have "sworn oaths ... [as part of] a bipartisan effort to ensure that every eligible voter is able to cast their ballot, and that these results are tabulated and determined securely, accurately and correctly."

"Please treat others with dignity and respect," she said, adding that state and federal law forbids people from trying to intimidate voters or interfere with election officials carrying out there duties -- and the penalties can include prison time or fines, or both.

-ABC News' Mike Levine

Nov 04, 2024, 1:27 PM EST

Walz appeals to Wisconsin voters: Election 'could be won' through state

Tim Walz called on voters in battleground Wisconsin to vote for an "optimistic" future during a rally in La Crosse.

"This election could be won, quite literally, through the state of Wisconsin, and it could be won right here through La Crosse," Harris' running mate said. "That's how close this thing could be. So we're taking nothing for granted."

Democratic vice presidential nominee Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz speaks at a campaign stop, Nov 4, 2024, in LaCrosse, Wis.
Morry Gash/AP

Walz addressed policies he and Harris will focus on, including working to lower the cost of living for middle class Americans, addressing price gouging on groceries and making reproductive rights enshrined into law.

He said they have an opportunity to vote for "a future that either goes backwards -- is divisive, dark and angry -- or one that is hopeful, unified, inclusive."

Nov 04, 2024, 1:26 PM EST

'Swifties for Kamala' target 250,000 Pennsylvania voters via mailers in closing push

"Swifties for Kamala," the grassroots organization of Taylor Swift fans working to elect former Vice President Kamala Harris, announced over the weekend they had sent over 250,000 mailers to Pennsylvania voters encouraging them to pledge their support to Harris, make a voting plan and encourage their friends to do the same.

PHOTO: Taylor Swift performs at Wembley Stadium as part of her Eras Tour on  June 21, 2024 in London.
Taylor Swift performs at Wembley Stadium as part of her Eras Tour on June 21, 2024 in London.
Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP, FILE

Included in 50,000 of the mailers were friendship bracelets beaded with the words "voting era," a reference to the bracelets fans trade at Swift's Eras Tour.

"Every vote in this election matters, especially in Pennsylvania, which could be the state that makes the planets and the fates and all the stars align for VP Harris," the mailers read. "We think you belong in the voting booth because we are never going back, like ever.”

-ABC News' Brittany Shepherd

Nov 04, 2024, 12:41 PM EST

Musk's attorney says winners of America PAC giveaway not chosen by chance

At an ongoing hearing in Philadelphia over Elon Musk and his super PAC's $1 million voter sweepstakes, a defense attorney said the giveaway is a way to recruit spokespeople for America PAC, while the Philadelphia district attorney testified it is a "scam."

According to defense attorney Chris Gober, the recipients of the million-dollar checks sign contracts after being selected from a pool of people who signed the petition to serve as a spokesperson for the PAC. Tomorrow’s winner has already been decided to be a registered voter from Michigan.

"They were not chosen by chance," Gober said during the hearing in the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas.

Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk speaks during a town hall event hosted by America PAC in support of former President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump in Oaks, Pa, Oct. 18, 2024.
Ryan Collerd/AFP via Getty Images

Minutes later, Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner's team played a video in court where Musk vowed the money would be awarded "randomly."

"So I have a surprise for you, which is that we are going to be awarding a million dollars randomly to people who have signed the petition every day from now until the election,” Musk told a crowd in Pennsylvania on Oct. 19.

Testifying from the witness stand, Krasner slammed the giveaway as a "scam" and "grift" intended to "flood money into American elections."

"That ain't a contract and that's not employment," an animated Krasner, the first witness in the hearing, said. "There are certain words that stick out -- awarding. Doesn't sound like a spokesperson contract."

"It is unquestionably supposed to be random selection despite what I think is a very disingenuous version of it that I think I heard today," Krasner said.

Krasner testified that the America PAC has effectively scammed Philadelphia residents out of their personal information -- which they entered to sign the petition to enter into the giveaway -- while the giveaway never actually offered them a random chance of winning the million-dollar prize.

"They were scammed for their information," said Krasner, who is asking a judge to immediately stop the giveaway.

-ABC News' Peter Charalambous