TALLAHASSEE, Fla.-- Nearly one year from Election Day 2020, Camiel Berry isn’t sure her vote will be secure. “If it’s not one thing, it’s another.”
The Floridian is rattled by 2016’s two-county hack— compromising voter data.
“I don’t mean to sound like a conspiracy theorist— but, I’m not surprised and I don’t have high expectation a whole lot will change," Berry said.
In the wake of that breach Floridas Northern District U.S. Attorney Lawrence Keefe said: “We will use every one of those 368 days to safeguard our election process.”
US Attorneys, FBI, and election officials gathered to give the public a confidence boost— announcing in a news conference what was called an “unprecedented” effort to work together and safeguard the next election: “We will share information with one another and we will keep you informed," Keefe said.
Foreign threats are only growing, the group warned. It said technology to undermine elections is constantly evolving.
“As we stand here today counties across the globe are deploying efforts to strengthen themselves and weaken the United States," said FBI Special Agent in Charge Rachel Rojas.
So beyond cooperation— officials are relying on bolstered security.They’re touting a recent state review of election security — aimed at identifying and filling gaps. Plus— more than $18 million worth of upgrades and training since last year.
“No county will stand alone against a foreign adversary," said Florida Secretary of State Laurel Lee.
Perhaps it will be enough to give peace of mind worried voters.Berry, however, remains on the fence. “Am I expecting that? Not honestly.
Some other protections coming in Florida's future include a cyber security bureau and an enrollment in ERIC. It’s a national program aimed at clearing voter rolls of duplicated or old records.