OPINION: Teamwork helps build Idaho’s election security

That infrastructure, according to an article at IdahoCapitalSun.com (shorturl.at/XPcKt), is further bolstered by the nation’s cyber defense arm, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. CISA was formed in 2018 after Russia’s attempts to interfere in the 2016 presidential election, providing state and local governments no-cost cybersecurity support — assessments and training — ahead of elections.

CISA Director Jen Easterly cited Russia, Iran and China as the adversaries most intent on trying to weaken the U.S. through election interference.

“We know (they) are very intent on doing two things: undermining American confidence in the security of our election and in our democracy, and trying to stoke partisan rancor and discord,” she said.

Sound familiar?

McGrane noted that the American system of every state conducting its own elections helps thwart outside interference attempts, and Easterly added that our diverse systems used to cast votes aren’t connected to the internet, creating another steep challenge for interferers to hurdle.

Keep in mind that the federal government doesn’t conduct elections — that’s done only at local and state levels — so skeptics can’t blame Uncle Sam for manipulating processes or results.

With Idaho elections safe and secure, beware anyone trying to cast doubt on ballot counts. Such claims will only support the conclusion that the war against malignant interests, from without and within, is not over.