The threats to election integrity include disinformation, hacking and even attempts to foment violence by both domestic and foreign actors. Nick Schifrin reports.
Efforts by foreign governments to sow division and undermine confidence in elections can amplify voter mistrust. They can also threaten the United States’ global leadership and economic strength. It is imperative that we rethink the way we respond to these foreign interference efforts, as they continue to escalate in sophistication and scope.
While it is true that the United States can never be completely secure from foreign interference — it is a broad and open democracy that makes compromise inevitable — there are steps that should be taken to strengthen our defenses, including imposing a cost on perpetrators of such attacks. One such measure would be to designate electoral systems as a critical infrastructure, imposing rigorous protections and penalties on any country that attempts to tamper with our democratic process.
A second step would be to increase the sensitivity of intelligence agencies in their assessment and reporting of election interference. A third would be to improve information sharing between law enforcement and election officials.
It is imperative that the United States impose a cost on Russia for its attempts to interfere in our democracy. A bill sponsored by Senators Bob Menendez and Lindsey Graham would do this, imposing strict sanctions on Russian oil companies, financial institutions, and individuals, including Putin himself.
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