Senators introduce bipartisan election-security bill

A bipartisan group of U.S. senators on Dec. 21 introduced legislation that would protect America’s administration of federal elections against cybersecurity threats.

Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME), James Lankford (R-OK), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Kamala Harris (D-CA), Martin Heinrich (D-NM) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) introduced the bill, which is awaiting action by the Senate Rules and Administration Committee.

Intelligence reports have established that during the 2016 U.S. presidential election, Russia hacked campaign accounts, launched cyberattacks against at least 21 state election systems, and attacked a U.S. voting systems software company, according to the lawmakers.

While there is no evidence that a single vote outcome was tampered with, the senators said this dangerous precedent should be a wake-up call as the nation moves into the 2018 election cycle.

“During the 2016 elections, Russia tried to interfere in our elections. Although they didn’t change actual votes or alter the outcome, their efforts were an attack on our democracy,” said Sen. Lankford, who sponsored the bill. “It is imperative that we strengthen our election systems and give the states the tools they need to protect themselves and the integrity of voters against the possibility of foreign interference.”

Specifically, the Secure Elections Act, S. 2261, reaffirms state leadership in administering federal elections and would ensure that the federal government promptly shares cybersecurity threats and information with state, county and municipal election agencies.

The bill also would give appropriate state officials security clearances to enable ready access and action on classified cybersecurity information.

“Our bipartisan legislation will strengthen the integrity of our election process by ensuring that local voting officials have the information and financial resources they need to secure their voting systems,” said Sen. Collins in a Dec. 21 statement. “These safeguards will protect and bolster public confidence in our elections.”

Additionally, S. 2261 would establish an independent expert advisory panel to develop voluntary guidelines for election system cybersecurity, and would make grants available to states for implementing cybersecurity guidelines and replacing outdated voting machines.

“The U.S. needs to improve and modernize protections for our voting systems, registration data, and ballots to prevent theft, manipulation, and malicious computer hacking,” Sen. Heinrich said. “Until we take these necessary steps, our nation’s democratic institutions will remain vulnerable.”

And with the 2018 elections just around the corner, “Russia will be back to interfere again,” said Sen. Harris.

“We must act now to fortify our election system against attacks by foreign powers in a way that is smart and allows for effective communication and information-sharing between election and intelligence officials,” Harris said.

Klobuchar is ranking member of the Senate Rules and Administration Committee, which has jurisdiction over federal elections. Collins and Heinrich both serve on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. Harris and Lankford each serve on both the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.