Cybersecurity: Ensuring the Integrity of the Ballot Box

PURPOSE:

• To understand the scope and scale of cyber threats to the U.S. election system.
• To discuss efforts underway at all levels of government to secure elections systems against possible cyber threats.

BACKGROUND:

• Elections are administered on a state-by-state and often county-by-county basis.
• The U.S. Election Assistance Commission is an independent, bipartisan commission that develops guidance to meet requirements set by the Help America Vote Act, adopts voluntary voting system guidelines, and distributes information on election administration.
• The Department of Homeland Security is considering designating the electronic voting system for November’s election as “critical infrastructure.”