At a time when computer systems of major corporations have been under attack by hackers, Illinois is poised to join other states in a first-ever national database of voter registration information. But, despite concerns from scholars and others who monitor online security, state and national officials involved in the Electronic Registration Information Center program say every voter’s information will be safe. “We make a pretty good argument that we do more to protect the data than the states do themselves. We follow above-normal security protocols,” said John Lindback, executive director of the Washington D.C.-based program.
In one of his final acts as governor, Pat Quinn signed legislation that put Illinois on track to join other states in the program.
The law was just one piece of an overhaul of state election law that included changes to absentee voting and ballot counting.
The new electronic database is designed to put voter data in a system used throughout the state and with all other states in the program. It is supposed to make voter registration more cost-efficient and could help track down residents who are qualified to vote but are not registered.
Full Article: New voter system security questioned.