JOHNSTON – Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate and state and federal election security partners convened at the Iowa Department of Homeland Security’s Emergency Operation Center to remind voters of the many safeguards in place that protect Iowa’s election integrity.
Representatives state and federal election security partners are in regular communication throughout the year to solidify their respective roles in keeping Iowa elections safe and secure. During the leadup to an election, communication is ongoing and consistent, ensuring that Iowa elections are protected from every angle. This week, leaders from these agencies convened at a press conference to share more details on their roles in election security and reinforce the state’s nationally ranked approach to election administration: pre-and post-election audits, paper ballots, physical and cyber security measures, bipartisan teams of poll workers and partnerships with election security partners are all critical components.
“Voting is the cornerstone of our democracy and ensuring all of Iowa’s eligible voters are able to cast their votes safely and securely in Iowa’s elections is essential,” said Secretary Pate. “Iowa voters should be reassured that through key partnerships at the state and federal levels, we have their backs. We have numerous checks and balances in place and the strongest team possible to keep Iowa elections safe and secure, and I urge every eligible to voter to make their plan to vote in this General Election.”
Potential threats to our election security range from physical to cyber threats, and Iowa’s Department of Public Safety has laid the groundwork to secure Iowa’s General Election.
“Voting is one of our most sacred civic responsibilities, and the Department of Public Safety is committed to ensuring all Iowans can exercise this right safely and confidently,” said Stephan Bayens, Commissioner of the Iowa Department of Public Safety. “We are working tirelessly with our partners to protect the integrity of our electoral process, monitor threats, and combat misinformation. It is crucial for Iowans to rely on trusted information from state or local election officials. We remain vigilant in defending the principle of one person, one vote.”
Election security partners know that it is vitally important to prepare for the worst but hope for the best – monitoring for any possible situation that may impact a voter’s experience. The Department of Homeland Security and Management monitors Election Day activity.
“Iowa’s voters deserve the right to cast their votes in a safe and secure environment,” stated John Benson, Director of the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. “We work closely with the Secretary of State’s Office and other state, federal, and local partners to ensure that election security is a priority in Iowa.”
In today’s digital age, election threats have evolved to also encompass cybersecurity threats. State agencies like the Department of Management’s Division of IT (Dom DoIT) are key partners in monitoring for such threats.
“Cyberattacks are a rising danger in today’s digital world, especially during elections,” said Shane Dwyer, Chief Information Security Officer, Department of Management’s Division of Information Technology. “We take these threats seriously with safeguards in place to prevent them, including 24/7 heightened cyberthreat, collaboration with county election offices to protect against threats, and engaging multiple communication channels allowing security partners to comprehend the extent of threats and better recognize indicators of compromise.”
With instances of cyberthreats on the rise, support from the Iowa National Guard’s Joint Task Force Cyber has also been a critical component in the effort to protect Iowa’s elections.
“The mission of our Cyber Team is to support efforts by the Secretary of State’s Office to protect and defend their networks during the General Election season. Over the last year, Cybersecurity Guardsmen trained and exercised with our supported Iowa government agencies. We once again look forward to serving the people of Iowa during this critical time,” said Lieutenant Colonel Erik Howg, 168th Cyberspace Operations Squadron, Iowa Air National Guard.
Federal partners like the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency work year-round with election officials to offer critical infrastructure support and ensure secure elections nationwide.
“The 2024 election cycle is facing arguably the most complex threat environment ever, but America’s election infrastructure is also more secure and the election community more prepared than ever,” said Phil Kirk, Regional Director, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Region 7. “This is not an accident. It is the result of the hard work across the election security community led by Secretary Pate in Iowa and other state and local election officials around the country who secure and administer the American election process. These public servants are the true frontline defenders of American democracy, and CISA is proud to support them by offering a range of services and support to help in administering safe and secure elections. The American people should feel confident that their votes will be counted as cast, and they should know our election is secure.”
The FBI has a full team of election crimes coordinators who coordinate with partners at all levels to investigate allegations and monitor potential threats ranging from threats against election workers to malicious cyber activity.
“In the months leading up to Election Day, the FBI has been engaged in extensive preparations to secure the election,” said FBI Omaha Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel. “As always, we are working closely with our federal, state, and local partners across Iowa and Nebraska to ensure seamless integration with every entity who has shared responsibility for election security. The FBI stands ready to respond to a host of potential scenarios related to election fraud, voter suppression, foreign malign influence, malicious cyber activity against election infrastructure, and threats to election workers. Our work will continue beyond November 5th. We are committed to protecting the American public’s right to a fair and safe election.”
Secretary Pate and other speakers also urged Iowans to be leery of election misinformation and disinformation. Instead, turn to trusted sources for election information, which are the Secretary of State and county election officials.
“While partnerships with state and federal agencies are crucial to keeping Iowa’s elections safe and secure, so are our partners at the local level,” added Secretary Pate. “When Iowans visit the polls on Election Day, I’d like them to remind to treat local election officials and poll workers with respect. These folks are trusted faces from your community. They put in long hours on Election Day all because they care about securing elections for their neighbors.”
Polls will be open across Iowa from 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. on Tuesday for the November 5 General Election. Voters should visit VoterReady.Iowa.gov or their county auditor’s website to find their polling place and other election-related information.
