Shifting Dynamics in Election Security: Concerns Rise Over Federal Involvement
As the 2024 elections approach, the landscape of election security is fraught with tension and skepticism. The role of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), particularly under its new leadership, has stirred debate among election officials and politicians alike.
Gary Berntsen, a former CIA operative, continues to propagate the debunked theory that Venezuela played a role in the 2020 U.S. elections. Despite extensive refutations, including Fox News’ $787 million settlement with Dominion Voting Systems, Berntsen has struggled to find an audience for his claims. “One of the things that we learned is there’s 14 different technical ways that you can steal an election,” Berntsen shared in an interview with podcaster Lara Logan.
Facing resistance from the FBI and media, Berntsen turned to Congress, where he found support from Markwayne Mullin, then a U.S. senator and now Secretary of Homeland Security. Mullin facilitated a meeting at Mar-a-Lago for Berntsen to brief former President Trump’s team on these conspiracy theories. Mullin’s actions have sparked concerns regarding the integrity of future elections and the role of DHS under his leadership.
Mullin’s stance against certifying the 2020 election results, despite the violent events at the Capitol, has alarmed election officials. They fear that DHS may not act as an ally in ensuring election security but could instead undermine results unfavorable to Trump.
Matt Crane, a leader among Colorado election officials, expressed distrust towards the federal government’s handling of voter data, stating, “I don’t trust how the administration is using that data.” The sentiment reflects a broader apprehension among local officials who are wary of sharing sensitive information with DHS.
Federal Involvement and Election Security Concerns
Numerous election officials have distanced themselves from federal collaboration due to fears of data misuse. The Trump administration’s actions, such as attempting to access voting machines and ballots, have underscored these concerns. The DHS’s current approach to election security, including the role of Heather Honey, has further fueled apprehension.
Paul Lux, a Florida election supervisor, noted the lack of communication from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the federal body responsible for election security support. Despite assurances of continued cybersecurity services, local officials report a lack of engagement.
The Elections Infrastructure Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EI-ISAC) has been significantly affected by federal funding cuts. Once supported by the federal government, the EI-ISAC now relies on a membership model, resulting in a reduced capacity to provide cybersecurity services to election jurisdictions nationwide.
Challenges and Future Prospects
Efforts to restore funding for election security measures face an uncertain path in Congress. Meanwhile, the EI-ISAC continues to operate independently, offering cybersecurity tools and a virtual situation room for election officials to share real-time threats. However, the absence of DHS participation in these efforts highlights the fractured relationship between local and federal entities.
Despite the challenges, election officials remain committed to safeguarding the electoral process. As Paul Lux metaphorically put it, the federal government might be invited back to the table, but trust will need to be rebuilt carefully and deliberately.
This article was originally written by www.npr.org
