We need to stop saying “election security” and call it what it is: national security.
A thread on what’s at stake for the sanctity of American democracy in the 2020 election.
A thread on what’s at stake for the sanctity of American democracy in the 2020 election.
1/ Currently, leading Democratic candidates are projected to beat Trump in the 2020 race.
That literally will not matter if our voting machines are compromised.
That literally will not matter if our voting machines are compromised.
2/ Leaving personal biases aside: the national security threat posed to our elections cannot continue to be presented as a partisan concern.
This is our most sacred institution; without reliable elections, any semblance of democracy in our republic disintegrates.
This is our most sacred institution; without reliable elections, any semblance of democracy in our republic disintegrates.
3/ The 2016 election was unlike any in American history, principally in the scope of direct interference from a foreign nation.
The brunt of that came in the form of information cyberwarfare—also a topic of grave importance but discussed elsewhere
The brunt of that came in the form of information cyberwarfare—also a topic of grave importance but discussed elsewhere
4/ We also know that our actual voting infrastructure was compromised.
In 2016, Russia hit systems in 39 states. In Illinois, investigators found evidence that hackers tried (but failed) to alter & delete information in the database. bloomberg.com/news/articles/…
In 2016, Russia hit systems in 39 states. In Illinois, investigators found evidence that hackers tried (but failed) to alter & delete information in the database. bloomberg.com/news/articles/…
5/ This should be very alarming; regulators & politicians should be *scrambling* to ensure that we have secure voting machines & general infrastructure.
Yet, a recent report found that machines used in dozens of states remain vulnerable to hacking. motherjones.com/politics/2019/…
Yet, a recent report found that machines used in dozens of states remain vulnerable to hacking. motherjones.com/politics/2019/…
6/ So…what gives? A few things.
7/ The Federal Election Commission was allowed to "shut down" over 2 months ago.
For reference, the FEC is the independent regulatory agency charged with administering & enforcing federal campaign finance law for the US House, Senate, VP, & Presidency.
nbcnews.com/politics/2020-…
For reference, the FEC is the independent regulatory agency charged with administering & enforcing federal campaign finance law for the US House, Senate, VP, & Presidency.
nbcnews.com/politics/2020-…
7a/ The FEC is the agency that collects campaign finance data, investigates potential violations, & advises campaigns on election law.
When Vice Chairman Matthew Petersen resigned, it dropped below its statutory four-Commissioner quorum.
When Vice Chairman Matthew Petersen resigned, it dropped below its statutory four-Commissioner quorum.
8/ FEC Chair @EllenLWeintraub has stated in no uncertain terms that they will still be hard at work, but ultimately we need new Commissioners confirmed asap.
@EllenLWeintraub 9/ You might be asking yourself why anyone would possibly think it’s a good idea to let the FEC shutdown after what happened in 2016.
TLDR: it’s become a partisan issue & Republicans—conveniently—won’t agree to compromise publicintegrity.org/federal-politi…
TLDR: it’s become a partisan issue & Republicans—conveniently—won’t agree to compromise publicintegrity.org/federal-politi…
@EllenLWeintraub 10/ But even a functioning FEC isn’t enough. At minimum, we *desperately* need more legislation & more funding—and fast.
@EllenLWeintraub 11/ In September, McConnell relented & agreed to $250M toward election security. Which may sound like a lot, but when you consider that Pennsylvania alone will need to spend $125M, it starts to look a lot more like a nominal gesture.
nytimes.com/2019/09/25/us/…
nytimes.com/2019/09/25/us/…
@EllenLWeintraub 12/ The Election Security Act was recently presented by @SenatorDurbin. It would allocate $1B for election security efforts like a paper ballot backup requirement.
That was shot down by @SenJohnKennedy.
That was shot down by @SenJohnKennedy.
@EllenLWeintraub @SenatorDurbin @SenJohnKennedy 13/ The @amyklobuchar-sponsored Honest Ads Act would require online platforms to make “all reasonable efforts” to ensure foreign entities are not buying political ads & require public disclosure of who paid for ads.
Blocked by @SenJohnThune.
Blocked by @SenJohnThune.
@EllenLWeintraub @SenatorDurbin @SenJohnKennedy @amyklobuchar @SenJohnThune 14/ We are 57 days away from 2020. We just do not have time for partisan infighting.
This needs to be treated as a national security threat akin to physical warfare.
This needs to be treated as a national security threat akin to physical warfare.
@EllenLWeintraub @SenatorDurbin @SenJohnKennedy @amyklobuchar @SenJohnThune 15/ Per Robert Mueller’s testimony, Russia has been & continues to be at work to hack the 2020 election. usatoday.com/story/news/pol…
@EllenLWeintraub @SenatorDurbin @SenJohnKennedy @amyklobuchar @SenJohnThune 16/ By letting our infrastructure rot, we’ve paved the way for them & other nations like Saudi Arabia, Israel, & North Korea (& anyone else) to influence the outcome of our elections—along the lines of their respective interests.
@EllenLWeintraub @SenatorDurbin @SenJohnKennedy @amyklobuchar @SenJohnThune 17/ It’s time we escalated the urgency of conversation & action around the security of our elections to reflect what it really is: a national security emergency.
@EllenLWeintraub @SenatorDurbin @SenJohnKennedy @amyklobuchar @SenJohnThune 18/ It might seem like a small thing, but now is the time we must go out of our way to urge our representatives—Republican & Democrat—to treat election security as a national security emergency.
Because it's really not looking good right now. /END
bloomberg.com/news/articles/…
Because it's really not looking good right now. /END
bloomberg.com/news/articles/…
@EllenLWeintraub @SenatorDurbin @SenJohnKennedy @amyklobuchar @SenJohnThune PS/ If you want to get more in the weeds about technological threats to the 2020 election, I kicked off that conversation here:
