In the midst of an FBI investigation into hackers attempting to break into two state election databases in recent weeks, how safe should you feel when heading to your polling place in November?
Butler County Bureau of Elections Director Shari Brewer says nothing within the county’s system is connected to the internet so there is nothing for a hacker to attempt to get into.
“They should feel absolutely safe,” Brewer said. “Our election system is a stand-alone system. It’s not connected to any network in any way.”
Voters should also feel confident that their vote will not be compromised or changed in any way once they cast their ballot, Brewer says.
“Our machines are sealed before they go out to a precinct,” she said. “The poll workers cut the seal in the morning of voting day.”
Poll workers also ensure there are no votes already on the machines before the precinct opens.
Just this week, the FBI’s Cyber Division released information that foreign hackers had attempted to get into Board of Election websites in Illinois and Arizona. That news comes amid increased concerns about the potential for cyber intrusion into the general election, as well as Republican nominee Donald Trump’s warning that the process could be “rigged” against him.
With just over two months to go until the November General Election, listen for our ‘It’s Your Vote’ series next week discussing how elections are run in Butler County, how much they cost & how the process could be changing in the future.
Photo by fairfaxcounty
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