These talking points are created to help Leagues speak with one voice about election security ahead of pivotal elections in 2020. These points may be updated, so Leagues are encouraged to continually check back on this page.
Election security is about voter confidence and participation. The more confident voters are in our elections systems, the more confident they will feel that their vote has been counted and their voice heard, and this directly impacts their participation.
There are several ways that elections officials, voters, and community groups can address these issues of election security, including through cybersecurity protections, upgraded voting technology, training of elections officials, and advocating for updated laws and regulations.
We must allocate resources to fortify our election systems, guard against future attacks, and restore voter confidence in our democratic institutions.
Working with State and Local Officials to Secure Our Elections
Guidance to Leagues regarding specific ways to work with elections officials to ensure wise and effective use of these monies was published and shared in the Spring of 2018. This document will still be helpful in messaging around election security in 2020. Through this guidance, Leagues were encouraged to work with elections officials to:
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Enhance voting security and upgrade equipment
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Institute risk-limiting audit practices
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Ensure valid votes are counted
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Protect eligible voters
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Facilitate cyber-security training for elections officials
Foreign Interference from Russia and Other Countries
Individuals can protect against foreign interference by:
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Educating themselves and others on how to understand who or what may be trying to influence their vote or decision-making processes. You can use the War on Pineapple handout from Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency to help those around you understand this concept.
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Checking their voter registration status (before registration deadlines)
There are multiple ways elections officials can protect their voting systems, including:
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Replacing paperless voting machines with accessible voting machines that provide a paper trail
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Securing voter registration data
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Securing election night reporting systems
Officials should investigate additional ways to protect against outside interference.
Legislative Solutions
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The League of Women Voters works directly with state legislatures and elections officials at the state and local level to advocate for equipment and processes that work best for the communities our elections are meant to serve.
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Honest Ads Act: The League supports passage of the Honest Ads Act, legislation at the federal level which addresses the misinformation campaign launched by Russia through social media channels in the 2016 elections.
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For the People Act: The League urges the U.S. Senate to pass the For the People Act, federal legislation that includes measures related to election security, money in politics, expanding access for voters, and increasing transparency in our elections.