Clerk Discusses Election Security

Gordy Hulten, the outgoing County Clerk, had some updates about election security in the County and the State, along with some tips for voters as we approach 96 days to the election. That WDWS interview is available here.

Vote By Mail requests will be available to everyone who wants one next Wednesday, August 8th. "State law allows anyone to vote by mail without excuse" and no longer requires some specific reason (e.g. planning on being out of town) to request.

On election security efforts over the summer, he emphasized that the recent Mueller indictments were "just allegations" and the feds are alleging that Russia hacked the voter registration records, but not that they changed any voter registrations. They didn't hack ballots or results.

He differentiated what he calls "election meddling" from "election hacking" compared to headlines in the media that use the terminology "election hacking" more broadly. Election meddling, as he sees it, involves spreading disinformation about candidates or issues by your uncle or malicious actors. He argued there's nothing much his office can do about that other than encourage people to be careful where they get their information from. He asked that people be smart information consumers.

Election hacking is something he defined as attacks on the voting systems themselves. He pointed out that Champaign County uses paper ballots and tabulators. The tabulators have an "air gap" and never connected to the internet or systems connected to the internet. The results on thumb drives are kept separated. He called the movement of data a "sneakernet" which is just the physical movement of data by staffers in sneakers.

He warned of exaggerated or misinformation about the election and dangers to their registration. He pointed out that we have same-day election registration options and paper ballots in end-of-the-world scenarios. He encouraged people to check their registration is up to date (e.g. most recent address), but that election systems here were well defended. He pointed out that his office is in constant contact with the State Board of Elections, the Department of Homeland Security, and the FBI for security updates and information.

The full interview is available here. Hulten is a candidate for County Executive this election. More information on the candidates vying to replace him here.