The United States remains woefully unprepared for an attack on its nationwide elections system, seven months after the 2016 presidential campaign season was consumed by Russia’s multipronged attempts to undermine democracy by damaging Hillary Clinton’s candidacy. Just six of the 10 states that requested additional money to firm up cybersecurity at their election agencies are expecting to receive it, Politico reported Tuesday, while 21 states have called on new federal funding to strengthen local election security or replace outdated voting machines susceptible to hacking and intrusion.
Despite the obvious need to secure election processes against the threat of hostile foreign networks, the country remains divided over how to go about paying for the new protections. The debate arrives as Congress is expected to tackle tax reform in the coming weeks, ahead of a looming potential government shutdown and before the 2018 midterm elections.
“If we want to enhance people’s confidence in our elections, Congress absolutely should secure funding for the modernization and securing of voting systems,” Nicole Lagace, communications director for the Rhode Island Department of State, told Politico. “Don’t see that in our future, however!”
Full Article: America is Not Ready for Another Attack on Elections.