Secretary Pate joins election security partners in preparing for primary election

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 assure voters they are prepared to ensure Iowa’s election integrity throughout the upcoming 2024 Primary Election.

Leaders of state and federal agencies came together to discuss their role in keeping Iowa’s elections safe and secure and provide important information on how Iowans can be successful in participating in Iowa’s upcoming election. The state of Iowa is a top-ranked state for election administration and attributes a layered approach to Iowa’s success: 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.

“Protecting the integrity and security of state’s elections requires a team effort at the local, state, and federal levels, and we have laid the groundwork to prepare the strongest team possible,” said Secretary Pate. I am confident, and the public should be reassured, that when they cast their vote in the upcoming election, it will be counted fairly and accurately.”

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. “The department is committed to supporting Iowa’s election security efforts.”

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.

“In support of this year’s election, the Department of Management’s Division of Information Technology (DOM DoIT) will be monitoring cyberthreats jointly with the Iowa National Guard. The State of Iowa Security Operations Center will provide 24-hour-a-day cyberthreat monitoring and heightened support during this year’s elections,” said Shane Dwyer, Chief Information Security Officer, Department of Management’s Division of Information Technology.

The Iowa National Guard’s Joint Task Force Cyber has also been a valuable ally in the effort to protect Iowa’s elections.

“To assure the integrity of the State of Iowa’s electoral process, the Iowa National Guard has been directed to provide electoral security assistance to the Iowa Secretary of State’s Office for the upcoming 2024 Primary Election. We are proud to serve our state and community once again by defending our election cyberspace domain,” said Major Christopher Johnson, Iowa National Guard Joint Task Force Cyber, Team Lead.

Federal partners like the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency offer additional support in monitoring Election Day activity.

“Our nation’s election infrastructure is more secure today than ever, thanks to the incredible efforts by officials at the state, local, and federal level. CISA’s connection with the election stakeholder community has never been stronger, and we are so grateful for the leadership of chief election officials, like Secretary Pate, who across the country make safe and secure elections their top priority,” said Cait Conley, Senior Advisor to the Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. “Despite this progress, we are not complacent about challenges facing U.S. election infrastructure. We recognize an increasingly complex threat environment ahead of us in 2024. CISA remains committed to helping those on the frontline of defending our democratic process be as informed and prepared as possible to mitigate the range of physical and cyber threats to our election infrastructure.”

The FBI has a team of election crimes coordinators who investigate allegations and monitor potential threats.

“While individual states have primary responsibility for conducting fair and free elections, the FBI plays an important role in protecting federal interests,” said FBI Omaha Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel. “Our teams of investigators in Iowa remain vigilant in detecting those trying to undermine our political process and we will aggressively investigate any allegations of voter fraud or other election crimes. Our focus is on protecting elections from potential threats so the American people can have confidence in their democratic process.”

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 June 4 Primary Election. Voters should visit VoterReady.Iowa.gov or their county auditor’s website to find their polling place and other election-related information.