Federal Agencies Address Misinformation on Voter Registration Security
Federal Agencies Address Misinformation on Voter Registration Security
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) have issued a public service announcement to clarify misconceptions surrounding the security of U.S. election infrastructure. The announcement specifically addresses the dissemination of false claims that U.S. voter registration data has been compromised in cyberattacks. According to the agencies, these claims are unfounded and are part of a broader strategy by malicious actors to erode public trust in the democratic process. "Malicious actors continue to spread false or misleading information in an attempt to manipulate public opinion and undermine confidence in U.S. democratic institutions," the US agencies reports. They emphasize that while voter registration information is publicly accessible and can be legally obtained, possession of this data does not indicate a compromise of election systems.
The spread of disinformation serves only to undermine confidence in the electoral system rather than reflecting the actual security of the electoral infrastructure. Both the FBI & CISA have confirmed that there is no evidence to suggest any cyberattack has impacted the election infrastructure in a manner that would alter election outcomes or compromise the integrity of voter data. "The FBI and CISA have no information suggesting any cyberattack on U.S. election infrastructure has prevented an election from occurring, changed voter registration information, prevented an eligible voter from casting a ballot, compromised the integrity of any ballots cast, or disrupted the ability to count votes or transmit unofficial election results in a timely manner.
"The FBI and CISA have urged the public to scrutinize claims of electoral compromise critically and to rely on official sources for accurate election information. The role of both the FBI and CISA in securing the elections is highlighted in their ongoing efforts to coordinate with federal, state, and local officials to safeguard against physical, cyber, and operational threats. The public is encouraged to report any suspicious activity to the appropriate authorities and to consult official state and local government websites.