U.S. cybersecurity chief says election systems have 'never been more secure'

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: NPR

Updated October 19, 2024 9:06 PM ET


Amid widespread concerns of outside interference influencing the results this year’s presidential election, the head of the country’s cybersecurity agency says election infrastructure is more secure than ever.

State and local election officials across the country have made big improvements to strengthen both physical and cyber security at polling and voting locations to preserve election integrity, said Jen Easterly, the director of the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, in an interview with Weekend Edition. After Russia's attempts to influence the U.S. presidential election in 2016, CISA was created to work with state and local officials to make sure voting machines aren’t vulnerable to hacks.

“I can say with confidence based on all the work that we've done together since 2016, that election infrastructure has never been more secure,” Easterly said. “There are cyber threats, there are physical threats to election officials, but we're at a point now with our election infrastructure secure and the election community prepared to meet the moment on the 5th of November.”

Her confidence in election integrity comes as intelligence officials warn that foreign adversaries — mainly Russia, Iran and China — are stepping up efforts to undermine voter trust in the democratic process, sway voters and inflame partisan divisions.

Read more: https://www.npr.org/2024/10/19/nx-s1-5154706/cisa-voter-fraud-election-foreign-interference

[Bayard]

1. Proclaim this far and wide

Counter trump's charge that the election will be stolen. Put Mr. Easterly on every show and ad out there, especially Fox.

[republianmushroom]

2. Have I heard this before ?

[BumRushDaShow]

3. Yes

In this case, she just sat for an interview for NPR yesterday - https://www.npr.org/2024/10/19/nx-s1-5154706/cisa-voter-fraud-election-foreign-interference

State and local election officials across the country have made big improvements to strengthen both physical and cyber security at polling and voting locations to preserve election integrity, said Jen Easterly, the director of the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, in an interview with Weekend Edition.

[republianmushroom]

4. I though I had heard before, possible in 2016 "election systems have 'never been more secure'..."

Wasn't there just an article about a mayor removing vote collection boxes ?

[BumRushDaShow]

5. With respect to "drop boxes"

THAT is controlled by the states and not the feds.

States are not required to have "drop boxes" by federal law.

The feds dictate general parameters about the voting "machines" (and equipment that might tally ballots). The "Help America Vote Act of 2002" (passed after the "hanging chads" nonsense in FL) dictates parameters for machines -

H.R.3295 - Help America Vote Act of 2002

That law required states to (for example) get rid of the old "lever" machines and any "punch card" type system, etc.

[republianmushroom]

6. From article.

State and local election officials across the country have made big improvements to strengthen both physical and cyber security at polling and voting locations to preserve election integrity, said Jen Easterly, the director of the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, in an interview with Weekend Edition.

Would include drop boxes ?

[BumRushDaShow]

7. And the state of WI went after the guy

https://pbswisconsin.org/news-item/the-ongoing-clash-over-using-ballot-drop-boxes-in-wisconsin/

The STATES control elections. The federal government has a limited role in handling stuff like that.

[republianmushroom]

8. After the act was committed.

[BumRushDaShow]

9. Here is something for you - THIS was what the Democratic House passed in 2021

and was blocked by Manchin and Sinema in the Senate -

H.R.1 - For the People Act of 2021

The "For the People Act" was drafted to handle EXACTLY what you are talking about because NONE of that is in law right now.

I.e, from the bill text -

Part 1--Promoting Voter Access

Sec. 1901. Treatment of institutions of higher education.
Sec. 1902. Minimum notification requirements for voters affected by
polling place changes.
Sec. 1903. Permitting use of sworn written statement to meet
identification requirements for voting.
Sec. 1904. Accommodations for voters residing in Indian lands.
Sec. 1905. Voter information response systems and hotline.
Sec. 1906. Ensuring equitable and efficient operation of polling
places.
Sec. 1907. Requiring States to provide secured drop boxes for voted
absentee ballots in elections for Federal
office.
Sec. 1908. Prohibiting States from restricting curbside voting.

H.R. 1 is full of stuff that MUST MUST be enacted (also includes making election day a federal holiday).

But as long as this stuff is not codified by federal law, the states control what happens with elections in their states!

[republianmushroom]

10. You mean those two fine DINO, that received monies from

the DNC for there campaign, voted against this. Oh, the shame of it.

[BumRushDaShow]

11. You got it and you noticed they both became (I)s and decided not to run again

THEY kept us from changing the Senate Rule for the filibuster to allow passage of -

The For the People Act (closes many loopholes and protects voting rights for federal elections)

John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act (which would restore Sections 4 & 5 of the VRA that John Roberts tossed that mandated FEDERAL oversight over designated states when they try to make any changes in their voting rules)

Women's Health Protection Act (codifies Roe)

Presidential Audit and Tax Transparency Act (requires candidates for Pres dent to release their tax returns)

And even something like this that was introduced (although we don't control the House so it went nowhere there either) -

Supreme Court Ethics Act

[republianmushroom]

12. But this doesn't change that I have heard this before, does it.

..."election systems have 'never been more secure'"...

[BumRushDaShow]

13. "election systems" means machines hardware/software

i.e., this woman is in charge of CISA = "Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency".

Meaning they monitor hacking into and tampering with these systems.

"Drop boxes" are not "systems". They are boxes for collection of ballots and until a federal law is created to cover that, those are under the purview of the states.

[republianmushroom]

14. I've heard it before and will hear it again.

[BumRushDaShow]

15. The HAVA law (Help America Vote Act) specifies that there must be a "paper trail"

and paper ballots provide that. But there is no provision in law that requires a "drop box" for federal purposes.

HAVA - https://www.eac.gov/about/help_america_vote_act.aspx

HAVA creates new mandatory minimum standards for states to follow in several key areas of election administration. The law provides funding to help states meet these new standards, replace voting systems and improve election administration. HAVA also established the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) to assist the states regarding HAVA compliance and to distribute HAVA funds to the states. EAC is also charged with creating voting system guidelines and operating the federal government's first voting system certification program. EAC is also responsible for maintaining the National Voter Registration form, conducting research, and administering a national clearinghouse on elections that includes shared practices, information for voters and other resources to improve elections. HAVA requires that the states implement the following new programs and procedures:

Provisional Voting

Voting Information

Updated and Upgraded Voting Equipment

Statewide Voter Registration Databases

Voter Identification Procedures

Administrative Complaint Procedures

That is why I linked to that "For the People Act" that would CODIFY exactly what you are asking!

It's like that old comic strip - "There Oughta Be a Law"!

[republianmushroom]

16. Yup, there oughta be

[republianmushroom]

17. "There Oughta Be a Law" is there ?

Elon Musk Veers Into Clearly Illegal Vote Buying

https://politicalwire.com/2024/10/19/elon-musk-veers-into-clearly-illegal-vote-buying/

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100219586155

[BumRushDaShow]

18. Yup yup yup

I have stuff lined up since he did that here in PA.

Remember that he JUST did that and now it will need to be investigated and evidence gathered and whatnot.

It does provide a sign as to the REAL state of the campaign if anything, as "polls" are useless and meaningless (and the GOP is dumping a billion RW polls into the aggregator mix now).

[republianmushroom]

19. Seen any indictments for the DOJ yet.

[BumRushDaShow]

20. No one can "indict" instantly

There is a "process" that involves a Grand Jury and presenting evidence to them to "charge" someone and then the GRAND JURY DOES THE INDICTING, NOT DOJ.

We need Civics 101 really badly on DU.

[republianmushroom]

21. Oh, I've been watching the "process" for 45 months, now, that being 3 years 9 months.

Investigating the insurrection and it leaders. This investigation may take as long or longer.

[BumRushDaShow]

22. And on that DIFFERENT SUBJECT

as I have noted over and over, they had multiple grand juries INDICT and then got assigned a Judge, and the Courts immediately put the brakes on it all (at least except for the NY "hush money/election interference case where convictions happened but a Judge delayed the sentencing).

There are 3 Branches of Government.

EXECUTIVE BRANCH (President and the federal agencies)

LEGISLATIVE BRANCH (Congress)

JUDICIAL BRANCH (the Courts)

They ALL have "checks and balances" on each other and right now, the JUDICIAL BRANCH has CHECKED the EXECUTIVE BRANCH.

At least Chutkan is now moving it after the SCOTUS just about scuttled the whole thing with that "absolute immunity" crap.

[republianmushroom]

23. As I have posted grand juries cannot indict until those

doing the investigation willfully complete their investigation.
Foot dragging leads to delaying justice, delaying justice can leads to no justice at all.
In my civics class we were taught justice was to be swift that has changed with time.

[BumRushDaShow]

24. "As I have posted grand juries cannot indict until those"

ddoing the investigation willfully complete their investigation.

Incorrect.

Those grand juries can be called back or a new one can be empaneled (which just happened a couple months ago) because remember Smith requested updated indictments due to the SCOTUS ruling -

Jack Smith files superseding indictment against Trump in Jan. 6 case


August 27, 2024 4:08 PM ET
Carrie Johnson 2016

Carrie Johnson

Prosecutors filed a superseding indictment in the federal criminal case against Donald Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, after the Supreme Court granted the former president substantial immunity, according to a new court filing.

Court papers say the superseding indictment was presented to a new grand jury that had not previously heard evidence in the case. The papers say the new indictment "reflects the Government's efforts to respect and implement the Supreme Court's holdings and remand instructions."

Prosecutor Molly Gaston, in a new court filing, said the Justice Department will not insist that Trump make an in-person appearance for arraignment on the new indictment. The Justice Department said it will confer with Trump's lawyers and try to come up with a joint proposal for how to proceed in the case. Judge Tanya Chutkan had asked for an update by Friday.

Special counsel Jack Smith has been consulting with other officials inside the Justice Department for weeks about the case, which accuses then-President Trump of leading a conspiracy to overturn the 2020 presidential election and disenfranchise millions of voters. The scheme allegedly culminated in a cascade of violent attacks on police at the U.S. Capitol three years ago.

(snip)

The Supreme Court told Smith - take this guy (Jeffrey Clark) out and do this and that related to "immunity" and he had to DO IT.

The grand jury then did UPDATED INDICTMENTS.

What Smith filed at the beginning of this month to Judge Chutkan INCLUDED those new/revised indictments, along with evidence (some redacted). There were some 2000 pages of it.

Foot dragging leads to delaying justice, delaying justice can leads to no justice at all.
In my civics class we were taught justice was to be swift that has changed with time.

I think you and many others on DU have a problem with the lack of knowledge of how the federal government and legal systems work.

I get that.

But what ends up happening is that there are posts and posts and threads and threads that keep spreading and magnifying misinformation because of that lack of knowledge. You all have generated a false narrative and refuse to come out of that bubble.