States build election security networks amid reduced federal support
Summary
The firing of two EAC commissioners and DOJ threats of prosecution over voter-registration and ballot issues have heightened election-security concerns. Oregon and Arizona are building local support and ballot-tracking efforts as officials report reduced federal help.
Key points
- The White House fired Democratic EAC commissioners Ben Hovland and Thomas Hicks; Republican commissioner Christy McCormick reportedly resigned.
- A DOJ letter to all 50 states warned that officials could face investigation and prosecution over knowingly retaining noncitizens on voter rolls or facilitating their voting.
- Oregon Secretary of State Tobias Read said CISA support and threat-information sharing have largely diminished; Oregon counties are preparing local security support and offering ballot tracking in several counties.
- Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes said his office is supporting local jurisdictions and coordinating with state and other partners after federal election-security support was withdrawn.
- West Virginia declined to provide sensitive voter-registration data, citing state law; a federal judge upheld the state's position.
- Oregon officials are preparing county clerks to assess federal warrants and subpoenas and follow state ballot-record retention schedules.
Article Details
- Event Type
- Federal election oversight and support changes: the White House fired two Election Assistance Commission commissioners, and the Department of Justice warned states it would investigate and prosecute election officials over certain voter-registration and ballot issues.
- Impact
- State election officials described heightened legal and operational risks, reduced federal election-security support, and diminished trust between states and the federal government. Oregon and Arizona are strengthening state and local election-security support; Oregon is also expanding ballot tracking. The DOJ warning describes potential enforcement, not reported prosecutions.
People
Adrian FontesArizona Secretary of State describing state and local election-security coordination after the federal government withdrew foreign-interference training and support.Ben HovlandDemocratic Election Assistance Commission commissioner fired by the White House; he said the firings could further erode trust in the commission's bipartisan oversight.Christy McCormickRepublican Election Assistance Commission commissioner who, according to reports cited in the article, resigned.Kris WarnerWest Virginia Secretary of State who opposed disclosing sensitive voter-registration data to the DOJ; a federal judge upheld the state's right to withhold it.Thomas HicksDemocratic Election Assistance Commission commissioner fired by the White House.Tobias ReadOregon Secretary of State discussing local election-security support, reduced federal assistance, ballot tracking, and safeguards for election records.