OMAHA — Four state secretaries and a federal cybersecurity director met on Wednesday to highlight their roles in safeguarding election integrity and security as the November 5 election approaches. Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen emphasized the importance of the summit, stating, “Why not?” He pointed out that the Midwest states, including Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and South Dakota, have successfully demonstrated that elections can be safe, smooth, and secure.
At the news conference, Evnen remarked, “Election security is not static; it is dynamic.” He stressed the need for continuous vigilance in addressing the evolving challenges that elections face today. The event, hosted by the National Counterterrorism Innovation, Technology, and Education Center (NCITE) at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, also featured Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate, Missouri Secretary Jay Ashcroft, and South Dakota Secretary Monae Johnson, all committed to upholding election integrity.
Pate shared insights on how elections have changed over the past two decades, particularly with advancements in technology. He asserted the necessity for citizens to trust election outcomes, warning that a lack of faith in elected officials could undermine the Republic without any violence.
Moreover, Jen Easterly, the director of the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), expressed strong support for election officials across the country. She noted that CISA was formed in 2018 partly in response to foreign interference in the 2016 presidential election, recognizing election infrastructure as “critical.”
Easterly highlighted the agency’s role in preparing state and local election officials for potential threats, such as ransomware and foreign adversaries. She reassured the public, stating, “We know that elections will be safe, secure, free, and fair, but there will be things that go wrong.”
Additionally, Evnen noted Nebraska’s collaboration with CISA over the past two years, which includes weekly vulnerability scans of election websites and the implementation of security protocols to protect cyber infrastructure.
All participating secretaries, who are Republicans, emphasized their nonpartisan commitment to running elections for all citizens. Ashcroft encouraged public involvement in the electoral process, whether as poll workers or voters, emphasizing that participation is vital for democracy.
As Election Day approaches, officials are working tirelessly to ensure the electoral process’s integrity, encouraging everyone to stay informed and engaged.
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