Executive Summary
This report details the federal role in U.S. voter registration, focusing on the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (NVRA) and subsequent developments. It covers NVRA's major provisions, implementation, and ongoing policy debates, including cybersecurity concerns related to election infrastructure.
Why It Matters
This document is relevant for defense and intelligence analysts due to its discussion of foreign state-sponsored cyberattacks on U.S. election infrastructure and voter registration systems, highlighting vulnerabilities in critical national processes.
Key Takeaways
- DHS designated federal election infrastructure as critical infrastructure following cyberattacks on state and local election systems.
Source evidence · PDF page 27
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) designated federal election infrastructure as a component of U.S. critical infrastructure in January 2017, following a series of cyberattacks on state and local election systems prior to the 2016 election.
- Russian actors targeted voter registration systems in at least seven states, gaining access to databases in two.
Source evidence · PDF page 27
The Senate Select Committee on Intelligence (SSCI) found that in at least seven states, Russian actors targeted voter registration systems for access, and, in two of those states, voter registration databases were inappropriately accessed.
- Iranian nationals were indicted for attempting to compromise state voter registration websites and downloading voter information ahead of the 2020 election.
Source evidence · PDF page 27
In November 2021, the U.S. Justice Department indicted two Iranian nationals for attempting to compromise state voter registration or voter information websites in 11 states ahead of the 2020 election, as well as successfully downloading information for over 100,000 voters in one state.
Strategic Relevance
The report underscores the ongoing threat of foreign interference in democratic processes through cyberattacks on election infrastructure, which can undermine national security and public trust. Understanding these vulnerabilities and the legislative responses is crucial for safeguarding national integrity.