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Election Security: DHS Plans Are Urgently Needed to Address Identified Challenges Before the 2020 Elections, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Government Accountability Office (GAO) Highlights: "In January 2017, the Secretary of Homeland Security designated election infrastructure as a critical infrastructure subsector. The designation allowed DHS to prioritize assistance to state and local election officials to protect key election assets, including voter registration databases and voting equipment. [...] This report addresses (1) DHS's election security efforts and selected election officials' perspectives on them, and (2) DHS's planning for the 2020 elections. GAO reviewed DHS's strategies, plans, and services provided to election officials. GAO also interviewed DHS officials, representatives of the EI-ISAC [Election Infrastructure Information Sharing and Analysis Center], a DHS-funded center responsible for sharing threat information nationwide, and election officials from eight states and three local jurisdictions. GAO selected the states and local jurisdictions to provide geographic diversity and variation in election administration, among other factors. The results from these states and localities are not generalizable, but provide insight into election officials' perspectives on DHS's efforts."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-02
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Preparing for 2020: How Illinois is Securing Elections, Field Hearing Before the Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives, One Hundred Sixteenth Congress, First Session, October 15, 2019
This is the October 15, 2019 Field Hearing "Preparing for 2020: How Illinois is Securing Elections" held before the House Committee on Homeland Security. From the opening statement of Bennie G. Thompson: "Election security requires a whole-of-government approach--Federal, State, and local--effort to protect America's elections. It is a National security issue that transcends party politics and reaches into the heart of our democracy. As we approach the 2020 elections it is critical that we work together to protect democracy's most sacred tradition: Free and fair elections. [...] The Federal Government, especially Congress, must understand the resource constraints of local election officials and partner with them to address vulnerabilities to election infrastructure through grants and services. Local election officials are on the front line of securing our elections and your success depends on the resources and support you receive from Federal and State government." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Matt Masterson, Steven S. Sandvoss, Robin M. O'Connor, and Elizabeth L. Howard.
United States. Government Publishing Office
2020
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Road to 2020: Defending Against Election Interference, Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Innovation of the Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives, One Hundred Sixteenth Congress, First Session, November 19, 2019
This is the November 19, 2019 hearing "Road to 2020: Defending Against Election Interference" held before the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Innovation of the House Committee on Homeland Security. From the opening statement of Cedric L. Richmond:"Today we will take a broad look at election security issues, including efforts from the private sector to protect election infrastructure and political campaigns against malicious actors." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Francis X. Taylor, Richard Stengel, Matt Blaze, and Ginny Badanes.
United States. Government Publishing Office
2020
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Our Vote 2020: 20 Ways to Secure a Full and Fair Election During the Coronavirus Pandemic
From the Summary: "The 2020 General Election is just over a month away. As the ongoing coronavirus pandemic jeopardizes the safety of in-person voting and President Trump raises unfounded objections to absentee voting, the American promise of free and fair elections is under threat. This report outlines 20 things that individual voters, employers, local governments, and state governments can still do now to secure the upcoming election."
United States. Congress. House. Committee on Oversight and Reform. Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
2020-10
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Election Security: Federal Funding for Securing Election Systems [Updated March 12, 2020]
From the Document: "Russia targeted state and local systems as part of its effort to interfere with the 2016 elections, according to the U.S. intelligence community. Reports of Russia's activities highlighted the potential for threats to the technologies, facilities, and processes used to administer elections. Congress has responded to such threats, in part, by providing and proposing funding to help secure elections. This In Focus offers an overview of federal funding for securing election systems. It starts with some background on potential threats to state and local election systems and then summarizes the funding Congress has provided and proposed to help secure those systems."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Shanton, Karen L.
2020-03-12
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H. Rept. 116-126: Providing for Consideration of the Bill (H.R. 2722) to Protect Elections for Public Office by Providing Financial Support and Enhanced Security for the Infrastructure Used to Carry Out Such Elections, and for Other Purposes; Waiving a Requirement of Clause 6(A) of Rule XIII with Respect to Consideration of Certain Resolutions Reported from the Committee on Rules; and Providing for Consideration of the Bill (H.R. 3351) Making Appropriations for Financial Services and General Government for the Fiscal Year Ending September 30, 2020, and for Other Purposes, Report to Accompany H. Res. 460, June 24, 2019
From the Summary of Provisions of the Resolution: "The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 2722, the SAFE Act, under a closed rule. The resolution provides one hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on House Administration. The resolution waives all points of order against consideration of the bill. The resolution provides that an amendment in the nature of a substitute consisting of the text of Rules Committee Print 116-20, modified by the amendment printed in Part A of this report, shall be considered as adopted and the bill, as amended, shall be considered as read. The resolution waives all points of order against provisions in the bill, as amended."
United States. Government Publishing Office
2019-06-24
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Election Security: States' Spending of FY2018 and FY2020 HAVA Payments [Updated June 30, 2020]
From the Document: "State and local systems have been targeted as part of efforts to interfere with U.S. elections, and Congress has responded in part with funding. The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 (P.L. 115-141) provided $380 million for payments to the 50 states, the District of Columbia (DC), American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands authorized under the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA; 52 U.S.C. §§20901-21145), and the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020 (P.L. 116-93) included $425 million for HAVA payments to those jurisdictions and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. This In Focus offers an overview of spending of the FY2018 and FY2020 HAVA payments to date."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Shanton, Karen L.
2020-06-30
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Campaign and Election Security Policy: Overview and Recent Developments for Congress [January 2, 2020]
From the Document: "In the United States, state, territorial, and local governments are responsible for most aspects of selecting and securing election systems and equipment. Foreign interference during the 2016 election cycle--and widely reported to be an ongoing threat--has renewed congressional attention to campaign and election security and raised new questions about the nature and extent of the federal government's role in this policy area. This report provides congressional readers with a resource for understanding campaign and election security policy. This includes discussion of the federal government's roles; state or territorial responsibilities for election administration and election security; an overview of potentially relevant federal statutes and agencies; and highlights of recent congressional policy debates. The report summarizes related legislation that has advanced beyond introduction during the 116th Congress. It also poses questions for consideration as the House and Senate examine whether or how to pursue legislation, oversight, or appropriations."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Garrett, R. Sam, 1977-; Eckman, Sarah J.; Shanton, Karen L.
2020-01-02
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Election Security: States' Spending of FY2018 HAVA Payments [Updated March 12, 2020]
From the Document: "State and local systems have been targeted as part of efforts to interfere with U.S. elections, according to the U.S. intelligence community. Congress has responded to such threats, in part, with funding. The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 (P.L. 115-141) included $380 million for payments to the 50 states, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands (referred to hereinafter as 'states') under the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA; 52 U.S.C. §§20901-21145), and the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020 (P.L. 116-93) provided $425 million for payments to those jurisdictions and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. This In Focus provides an overview of states' spending of the FY2018 HAVA payments. It starts by summarizing how states have proposed and reported using the funds and then introduces some issues related to the timing of state spending and reporting."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Shanton, Karen L.
2020-03-12
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How to Protect the 2020 Vote from the Coronavirus
From the Document: "The coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) presents a difficult and novel challenge to the administration of the 2020 general election. Recent election emergencies have largely been caused by catastrophic weather events, and our country has done little election planning for pandemics. Unlike a hurricane, a pandemic does not have a discrete and relatively predictable end point. And avoiding large-scale social contact is a central feature of combating the crisis. These elements create distinct challenges for election officials on top of the significant and ongoing threats to the security of our election infrastructure. Given the scope of the challenge, large-scale preparation, backed by the concerted support of the government and the public, is needed immediately to ensure that the 2020 election is free, fair, accessible, and secure. We will need substantial modifications to our election procedures, substantial flexibility, and a substantial infusion of resources to ensure that every eligible American can register and vote safely, securely, accessibly, and as conveniently as possible; to ensure that every ballot cast by an eligible voter counts; to maintain the security of the election; and to ensure the safety of election workers."
Brennan Center for Justice
2020-03-16
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U.S. Election Assistance Commission: 2020 Annual Report
From the Chairman's Message: "Looking back on 2020, we are proud of the role we played and the work we did to assist state and local election officials as over 150 million Americans voted. The successful administration of the 2020 election provides reassurance that the foundation of America's democracy thrived amid record voter participation and despite a global pandemic. This was in no small part because of the herculean efforts by state and local election officials. Many of the successful measures they developed this year should improve the voting experience in future elections, like increasing the pool of poll workers and improving absentee/mail ballot operations. [...] Finally, our election infrastructure took a huge leap forward in matters of election security, with election officials as well as cyber and national security professionals declaring the November 3rd election 'the most secure in American history.' To maintain and build on this success, however, will require continued investment in the infrastructure of our democracy. Specifically, election officials regularly discuss the need for consistent federal funding that can sustain and grow the innovative practices we have seen."
United States. Election Assistance Commission
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Ensuring Safe Elections: Federal Funding Needs for State and Local Governments During the Pandemic
From the Document: "On March 27, President Trump signed into law a $2 trillion economic relief package that included $400 million in grants to help states run their elections during the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic. This was an important first step. Unfortunately, we now know this is not enough. In this document we examine the difference between the March 27 federal investment in the electoral process and what will be needed to ensure safe and healthy elections for 2020. We focus on Georgia, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. These five states have diverging election administration systems and needs, from the number of elections each will hold this cycle to their requirements for absentee voting. Two common themes stand out. First, what Congress has provided so far is not enough to run safe and secure elections in 2020. Our review shows that the March 27 grants will likely cover anywhere from less than 10 percent of what Georgia officials need to around 18 percent of what Ohio officials need. Second, local election jurisdictions bear the heaviest burden of protecting voters and workers during the election. In two of the states we examined, local governments must cover over 90 percent of the costs needed to ensure safe and secure elections this year. In all five states, they will bear the overwhelming share of such expenses."
Brennan Center for Justice
Deluzio, Christopher R.; Howard, Elizabeth; Levine, David A. . . .
2020-04-30
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Election Administration Guidance Under COVID-19
From the Document: "In order to provide a safe and secure election for election workers, voters, and observers for the November 3, 2020, General Election, the Secretary of State's Office, in consultation with California public health officials, has developed the guidance document, Election Administration Guidance under COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019], attached to this CCROV [County Clerks & Registrars of Voters]. The specific health and safety guidance presented here is based on information available as of the issuance of this document and is subject to change. The guidance document is directed toward California county elections officials and their workers as they prepare safe, clean environments for employees, election workers and volunteers, as well as voters and election observers, to ensure the November 3, 2020, General Election can be conducted during the current COVID-19 pandemic without creating new health risks."
California. Secretary of State
2020-07-21
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#Protect2020 Strategic Plan
From the Background: "Through #Protect2020, CISA [Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency] leverages a wide range of offerings and services to build outreach programs and engage local election officials in the over 8,000 election jurisdictions across the country. CISA builds these crucial relationships within the election community by supporting election officials in their efforts to identify and plan for potential vulnerabilities to elections infrastructure ahead of and during the 2020 election cycle. CISA engages political campaigns by supporting the development of non-partisan informational products and conducting voluntary assessments, partners with the private sector to collaborate on best practices and vendor security, and works towards raising public awareness about foreign interference efforts."
United States. Department of Homeland Security. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency
2020-02
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Centering on Coronavirus: Voting During a Pandemic
From the Document: "The outbreak of COVID-19 [coronavirus disease] across the U.S. has touched every facet of our society, and our democracy has been no exception. The pandemic poses unique challenges with respect to the 2020 election, and several states have already rescheduled spring primaries for the summer. State election officials are weighing not only the public health concerns of in-person voting but also the possibility of voter disenfranchisement for those who would inevitably choose to stay home. Uncertainty surrounding the duration of the outbreak also raises concerns about voter safety for the general election in November. This issue brief from The New Center discusses various state decisions, the state-specific provisions governing the postponement of elections, implications for the general election, and how a combination of drastically expanding mail-in voting alongside in-person voting may offer the best option to conduct a fair, secure, and inclusive 2020 election."
The New Center
Baumel, Julia
2020-04
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Election Security, Voters, and the COVID-19 Pandemic - Webinar
From the Video Description: "On August 26,2020, Cal Poly's [California Polytechnic State University] California Cybersecurity Institute, the OSET [Open Source Election Technology] Institute, and TrusttheVote Project hosted a 30-minute webinar on election cybersecurity. [...] As election officials prepare to conduct Election 2020, there is a challenging array of preparedness factors that include: changes to election operations to accommodate public health during the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] Pandemic; new and increased reliance on technology for those changed operations; cyber-defense of election technology; preparation for cyber threats, disinformation threats, and blended attacks from nation-state adversaries." The duration of the video is 48 minutes and 20 seconds.
California Polytechnic State University. California Cybersecurity Institute
2020-08-26
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2020 Elections: Selected Resources for Members and Constituents [October 14, 2020]
From the Document: "The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and reports of potential election interference might raise questions for Members and constituents about the 2020 elections. Potential disinformation campaigns and changes to election procedures in response to COVID-19 might make it more difficult for voters to determine how to register and vote. Voters might also be concerned about possible effects of COVID-19 or interference efforts on their safety or on the security of election workers or the electoral process itself. This Insight shares selected resources Members and constituents might find helpful for navigating such questions. It links to information about (1) how to register and vote in 2020, and (2) how federal agencies are responding to potential election interference efforts and election effects of COVID-19. This product focuses on resources available from government officials and some of the organizations that support them, such as the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) and National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL). Additional information may be available from media outlets or nonprofit groups."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Shanton, Karen L.
2020-10-14
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S. Hrg. 115-92: Russian Interference in the 2016 U.S. Elections, Hearing Before the Select Committee on Intelligence, United States Senate, One Hundred Fifteenth Congress, First Session, June 21, 2017
This is the June 21, 2017 hearing "Russian Interference in the 2016 U.S. Elections" before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. From the opening statement of Richard Burr, "Today the Committee convenes its sixth open hearing of 2017, to further examine Russia's interference in the 2016 elections. This is yet another opportunity for the Committee and the American people to drill down on this vitally important topic. [...] Our witnesses are here to tell us more about what happened in 2016, what that tells us about Russian intentions, and what we should expect in 2018 and 2020. I'm deeply concerned that if we do not work in lockstep with the states to secure our elections, we could be here in two or four years talking about a much worse crisis. The hearing will feature two panels. The first panel will include expert witnesses from DHS and FBI to discuss Russian intervention in 2016 elections and U.S. government efforts to mitigate the threat. The second panel will include witnesses from the Illinois State Board of Elections, the National Association of State Election Directors, the National Association of Secretaries of States, and an expert on election security to give us their on-the-ground perspective on how Federal resources might be brought to bear on this very important issue." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Sam Liles, Jeanette Manfra, Bill Priestap, Connie Lawson, Michael Haas, Steve Sandvoss, and J. Alex Halderman.
United States. Government Publishing Office
2017
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Belarus: An Overview [Updated August 24, 2020]
From the Document: "Beginning in August 2020, popular unrest has posed a serious political challenge to Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko (or Lukashenka). In advance of an early August presidential election, opposition candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya (Tsikhanouskaya) mounted an unexpectedly strong campaign to replace Lukashenko, who has ruled Belarus for 26 years. Given Lukashenko's authoritarian rule, observers did not expect Tikhanovskaya to win the election. However, the official pronouncement that Lukashenko won with a seemingly exaggerated 80% of the vote (to 10% for Tikhanovskaya) led to protests. A brutal and seemingly indiscriminate crackdown has led to larger protests and strikes of government workers on a scale unseen since Belarus became independent in 1991 after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Authorities have released most of the several thousand individuals they detained, but dozens reportedly remain in prison or are missing. [...] The United States, other countries, and international organizations have condemned violence against protestors and detainees and criticized the elections as neither free nor fair. The European Council, composed of the leaders of European Union (EU) member states, further stated that the EU does 'not recognize the results' of the election and would impose sanctions against those responsible for 'violence, repression and the falsification of election results.' Belarus's closest security and economic partner is Russia. Tensions between Belarus and Russia have increased in recent years, with the two countries at odds over energy, debt, trade, and transit."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Welt, Cory
2020-08-24
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Ensuring Safe Elections: Federal Funding Needs for Sate and Local Governments During the Pandemic
From the Document: "The coronavirus pandemic has changed voting behavior and poses an extraordinary challenge to state and local officials as they seek to ensure that elections in 2020 are fair, safe, and secure. As national policymakers consider how people should vote in light of the pandemic, elections themselves have already changed. Millions of voters are requesting mail ballots, far more than would have been the case otherwise. Many fewer are updating their registrations at government offices. Instead, they register online or find other ways to sign up. Governments face the unforeseen cost of investing in personal protective equipment (PPE) and sanitation supplies to reduce the risk of illness and even death to their workers and voters. Even if no rules change, the 2020 election will be costly."
Brennan Center for Justice; R Street Institute; University of Pittsburgh. Institute for Cyber Law, Policy, and Security . . .
Deluzio, Christopher R.; Howard, Elizabeth; Levine, David A. . . .
2020-04-30
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Bolivia's October 2020 General Elections [Updated October 22, 2020]
From the Document: "On October 18, 2020, Luis Arce and the leftist Movement Toward Socialism (MAS) party won Bolivia's presidential and legislative elections in a landslide. Arce, former finance minister in the government of President Evo Morales (2005-2019), secured a first-round victory with 54% of the vote. Held nearly one year after Morales's November 2019 resignation following annulled October 2019 elections that were marred by allegations of fraud, the 2020 elections demonstrated voters' continued support for the MAS. U.S. officials congratulated Arce on his victory. U.S.-Bolivian relations could be challenging, given tension in relations under Morales and the Trump Administration's strong support for the conservative interim government."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Seelke, Clare Ribando
2020-10-22
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Iraq and U.S. Policy [Updated December 7, 2020]
From the Document: "In May 2020, Iraq's parliament confirmed Iraqi National Intelligence Service director Mustafa al Kadhimi as Prime Minister, and in June finished confirmation of his cabinet members, bringing months of political deadlock over government leadership to a close. Upon taking office, Al Kadhimi declared that his government would serve in a transitional capacity and would work to improve security and fight corruption while preparing for early elections. Iraqi authorities have instituted curfews and travel restrictions in response to the Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, which threatens public health, the economy, and public finances. Prime Minister Al Kadhimi's priorities include: [1] mobilizing resources to fight the COVID-19 pandemic; [2] 'restricting weapons to state and military institutions'; [3] addressing what he calls 'the worst economic situation since the formation of the Iraqi state'; and [4] 'protecting the sovereignty and security of Iraq, continuing to fight terrorism, and providing a national vision on the future of foreign forces in Iraq.' Al Kadhimi has called for early elections in June 2021 under a revamped electoral system, but fiscal pressures, political rivalries, and limited institutional capacity present serious hurdles to reform. A series of high profile assassinations in 2020 of protest leaders and of a prominent security researcher have intensified public scrutiny of Al Kadhimi's credibility and his government's ability to act against armed groups operating outside state authority."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Blanchard, Christopher M.
2020-12-07
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Foreign Actors Likely to Use Online Journals to Spread Disinformation Regarding 2020 Elections
From the Document: "The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) are issuing this announcement to raise awareness of the potential threat posed by foreign-backed online journals that spread disinformation regarding the 2020 elections. Foreign intelligence services have been known to use websites, including pseudo-academic online journals, to disseminate articles with misleading or unsubstantiated information. Such sites could be employed during the 2020 election season in an attempt to manipulate public opinion, sow discord, increase societal divisions, cause widespread confusion, discredit the electoral process, and undermine confidence in U.S. democratic institutions."
United States. Department of Homeland Security. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency
2020
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Inauguration Security and Operations [Updated January 8, 2021]
From the Introduction: "Since the 20th Amendment was ratified, the oath of office for President of the United States has been administered every four years at noon on January 20. In 2021, the President-elect Joseph R. Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala D. Harris are to be officially sworn in at noon on Wednesday, January 20. Planning for the 2021 inauguration is being challenged by the ongoing Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID- 19) pandemic and the events at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, during Congress's counting and certification of the November 2020 presidential election electoral votes. Inauguration security and operations adjustments to traditional ceremonies, customs, and practices are being made. This In Focus presents information related to 2021 inauguration security and operations based on past inaugural activities and announced activities to date. Additional security details are expected to be implemented due to the Capitol security breach. This document will be updated if they are publicly announced."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Reese, Shawn; Straus, Jacob R.; Finch, Christina Miracle
2021-01-08
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Report of Evidence in the Democrats' Impeachment Inquiry in the House of Representatives
From the Executive Summary: "The sum and substance of the Democrats' case for impeachment is that President Trump abused his authority to pressure Ukraine to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden, President Trump's potential political rival, for President Trump's benefit in the 2020 election. Democrats say this pressure campaign encompassed leveraging a White House meeting and the release of U.S. security assistance to force the Ukrainian President to succumb to President Trump's political wishes. Democrats say that Mayor Rudy Giuliani, the President's personal attorney, and a 'shadow' group of U.S. officials conspired to benefit the President politically. [...] The evidence does not support the accusation that President Trump pressured President Zelensky to initiate investigations for the purpose of benefiting the President in the 2020 election. The evidence does not support the accusation that President Trump covered up the summary of his phone conversation with President Zelensky. The evidence does not support the accusation that President Trump obstructed the Democrats' impeachment inquiry."
United States. Congress. House
2019-12-02
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National Special Security Events: Fact Sheet [Updated January 11, 2021]
From the Introduction: "Major federal government or public events that are considered to be nationally significant may be designated by the President--or his representative, the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)--as National Special Security Events (NSSE). P.L. 106-544 designated the U.S. Secret Service (USSS) as the lead federal agency responsible for coordinating, planning, exercising, and implementing security for NSSEs. The January 20, 2021, inauguration of President-elect Joseph R. Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala D. Harris has been designated an NSSE. The joint session of Congress that met at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, to open, certify, and count the November 2020 presidential election electoral votes was not designated an NSSE."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Reese, Shawn
2021-01-11
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Trump-Ukraine Impeachment Inquiry Report
From the Executive Summary: "The impeachment inquiry into Donald J. Trump, the 45th President of the United States, uncovered a months-long effort by President Trump to use the powers of his office to solicit foreign interference on his behalf in the 2020 election. As described in this executive summary and the report that follows, President Trump's scheme subverted U.S. foreign policy toward Ukraine and undermined our national security in favor of two politically motivated investigations that would help his presidential reelection campaign. The President demanded that the newly-elected Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky, publicly announce investigations into a political rival that he apparently feared the most, former Vice President Joe Biden, and into a discredited theory that it was Ukraine, not Russia, that interfered in the 2016 presidential election. To compel the Ukrainian President to do his political bidding, President Trump conditioned two official acts on the public announcement of the investigations: a coveted White House visit and critical U.S. military assistance Ukraine needed to fight its Russian adversary."
United States. Congress. House
2019-12
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Protecting Public Health in the 2020 Elections
From the Executive Summary: "The COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic has gripped the United States and revealed tragic vulnerabilities in our institutions--particularly the health care system. As we ramp up to the November 2020 presidential election, COVID-19 has shown our voting system to be similarly fragile. Chaotic primary elections in Wisconsin, Georgia and elsewhere demonstrate that we must do more to protect the ability to vote safely. This report analyzes medical and political science data and applies it to voting during the pandemic. It also outlines steps that the United States must take to ensure safe and secure elections this year."
Voting Rights Lab; Union of Concerned Scientists; UCLA Latino Policy and Politics Initiative
Barreto, Matt A.; Desikan, Anita; Athilingam, Jegath . . .
2020
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Cyber Threats to Voting Processes Could Slow But Not Prevent Voting
From the Document: "The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) are issuing this announcement to inform the public that attempts by cyber actors to compromise election infrastructure could slow but not prevent voting. The FBI and CISA have not identified any threats, to date, capable of preventing Americans from voting or changing vote tallies for the 2020 Elections. Any attempts tracked by FBI and CISA have remained localized and were blocked, minimal, or easily mitigated."
United States. Federal Bureau of Investigation; United States. Department of Homeland Security. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency
2020-09-23
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COVID-19 Pandemic in Africa: Impact, Responses, and Lessons from Ghana, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Rwanda
From the Document: "The outbreak of the novel coronavirus [2019] (COVID-19) has caused widespread disruption of lives the world over. In response, governments have elevated the pandemic to the level of national security and instituted measures to mitigate its spread and impact. In Africa, the spread of infections across the continent has pushed African governments to initiate extraordinary responses. These include mandatory quarantines, social distancing, border closures, travel restrictions, bans on social and religious gatherings, and curfews. While these measures have partially contributed to Africa's relatively low infection rate, they have adversely affected the socio-economic and political landscape of most states across the continent. According to the World Bank, as a result of the pandemic, economic growth in Sub-Saharan Africa in 2020 will decline from 2.4 percent, as initially projected, to between -2.1 percent and -5.1 percent. As a result, the region will likely experience its first recession in 25 years. Politically, preparations for scheduled elections in 2020 in several countries are under threat. Moreover, some African leaders are instrumentalizing COVID-19 to perpetuate their incumbency, including by shrinking the space for political participation and dissenting views. In light of the foregoing, this paper examines the impact of COVID-19 and response strategies in Africa with a specific focus on three countries--Ghana, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and Rwanda."
Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars
Frimpong, Osei Baffour; Minani Bihuzo Bin Kakuru, Rigobert, 1960-; Commodore, Richmond
2020-09
