The chaos in Brazil’s capital, along with the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection in the US, demonstrate that there is a key human factor in election integrity.
Russian agents reportedly placed malware in U.S. voter registration systems in 2016 and are actively interfering in the 2020 election. Here’s the state of election cybersecurity.
Voting by mail is rarely subject to fraud, does not give an advantage to one political party over another and can in fact inspire public confidence in the voting process.
Laura DeNardis, American University School of Communication
Co-opting internet-connected devices could disrupt transportation systems on Election Day, stymie political campaigns, or help make information warfare more credible.
Around the world, elections are under attack. U.S. officials could learn from other countries about how to ensure everyone’s vote is recorded and counted accurately.
Richard Forno, University of Maryland, Baltimore County
Protecting democracy requires more than just technical solutions. It includes education, critical thinking and members of society working together to agree on problems and find solutions.
With a year before Election Day 2018, election integrity depends on ensuring fairness and access for American voters. Foreign tampering is a real but less serious concern.