NASS Statement on U.S. Intelligence Report Confirming Foreign Spear-Phishing Attempts Against Local Election Officials

For Immediate Release

June 6, 2017

WASHINGTON, DC - The security of our voting process is a top priority for Secretaries of State who serve as chief state election officials.

The NSA report is concerning. However, we have yet to see any evidence that would call into question the outcome of the 2016 elections in any state or locality. 

That said, these attempts to penetrate our voter registration systems are an urgent reminder of the need to get more cybersecurity support and resources into the hands of the state and local officials who administer and oversee U.S. elections. 

We urge DHS and other federal law enforcement to share documented threat intelligence information with election officials and notify all local election officials who were targeted in the email spear-phishing campaign that is documented in the NSA report. This type of information-sharing was a key justification for the Department of Homeland Security's January 2017 designation of election infrastructure as critical infrastructure.

For media questions, contact: 
Kay Stimson
NASS Director of Communications
202-624-3528 (o) | 703-869-5868 (c)
kstimson@sso.org