Breaches of voting machine data raise worries for midterms

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September 16th, 2022

FILE - A worker returns voting machines to storage at the Fulton County Election preparation Center on Nov. 4, 2020 in Atlanta, Ga. The list of security breaches at local election offices since the 2020 election keeps growing, with investigations ongoing in at least three states, Colorado, Georgia and Michigan. Security experts say the breaches by themselves have not necessarily increased threats to the November elections, but say they increase the possibility that rogue election workers could access election equipment to launch attacks. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)

Sensitive voting system passwords posted online. Copies of confidential voting software available for download. Ballot-counting machines inspected by people not supposed to have access.

The list of suspected security breaches at local election offices since the 2020 election keeps growing, with investigations underway in at least three states — Colorado, Georgia and Michigan. The stakes appeared to rise this week when the existence of a federal probe came to light involving a prominent loyalist to former President Donald Trump who has been promoting voting machine conspiracy theories across the country.

While much remains unknown about the investigations, one of the most pressing questions is what it all could mean for security of voting machines with the midterm elections less than two months away.

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