Cybersecurity

What the U.S. Needs to Do to Secure Election 2020

Concerns extend far beyond safeguarding insecure voting machines and questions about voting by mail.

Ideas

Subj: This Email Could Wreak Havoc on the 2020 Election

Beware of COVID-related phishing threats that target local voting.

Policy

Administration’s Decision to Halt Election Security Briefings Worries Many

Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe said that in an effort to prevent leaks, the intelligence community will no longer provide in-person briefings to Congress about threats, only written updates.

Digital Government

The Tech Perspective Kamala Harris Could Bring to the Vice Presidency

Nextgov took a look at the record of Sen. Kamala Harris. D-Calif., on tech issues to see what technology perspective she could bring to the vice presidency. 

Cybersecurity

For Election Administrators, Death Threats Have Become Part of the Job

In a polarized society, the bureaucrats who operate the machinery of democracy are taking flak from all sides. More than 20 have resigned or retired since March 1, thinning their ranks at a time when they are most needed.

Policy

What the Post Office Needs to Survive a Pandemic Election

Fueled by the president’s unfounded claims about rampant voter fraud, and reports of equipment being removed, the plight of the United States Postal Service has captured America’s attention. Will it collapse? Here’s what you need to know.

Ideas

Political Trolls Adapt, Create Material to Deceive and Confuse the Public

What they posted shifted over time.

Emerging Tech

New Coalition Wants to Help in Fight Against Election Misinformation

The Election Integrity Partnership consists of university researchers and others. Local election officials are among those the partnership is hoping to assist in the weeks ahead.

Ideas

The U.S. Election System Is Not Ready for Blockchain Technology … Yet

Blockchain does not exist in a vacuum. It requires extensive support from human personnel and other technology.

Cybersecurity

CISA Director Identifies Main Targets of Russian Adversaries in Election Security Efforts

Appeals made to the information security community apply just as much to the average voter—the last line of defense is a patient voter.

Cybersecurity

More Federal Funds Could Help Small Jurisdictions With Technical Tools to Secure Elections, Expert Says

The potential for disinformation to disrupt the process casts a shadow on significant improvements made since 2016.

Ideas

Racing the Clock on Election Security

There are less than 100 days left until the presidential election.

Ideas

Research on Voting by Mail Says It's Safe – from Fraud and Disease

It can inspire public confidence in the voting process, if done properly.

Ideas

The Electoral College Is Surprisingly Vulnerable to Popular Vote Changes

This system is built to virtually ensure narrow victories, making it very susceptible to efforts to change either voters’ minds or the records of their choices.

Policy

Governments Need Clear Plans to Respond to Disinformation, Experts Say

One of the tricky parts of responding is addressing the conspiracy theories that domestic social media users create but then get amplified by foreign actors, experts said. 

Digital Government

Trump’s Attacks on Vote-by-Mail Worry Some Election Officials

For months, President Donald Trump has been one of the loudest opponents to vote by mail.

Digital Government

Pandemic, Civil Unrest Complicate Voting in the Nation’s Capital

Washington, D.C. is among the jurisdictions that encouraged residents to vote by mail to stay safe amid the coronavirus pandemic, but voters who came out to the polls Tuesday still encountered long lines.

Cybersecurity

CISA Official Sidesteps Controversy over Trump’s Voting Fraud Claims

The official said the agency is focused on protecting the voting infrastructure, not the president’s claims about mail-in voting fraud. 

Digital Government

House Bills Seek to Stop Political Ad Microtargeting

A pair of bills seek to limit how political campaigns can use data to reach voters.