The Challenge of Misinformation and Voting Machine Certification in 2024

As the United States gears up for the 2024 presidential elections, concerns about the security and accuracy of voting machines have taken center stage. The federal government is set to introduce new certification guidelines for voting machines in November 2023, a much-anticipated technical overhaul that has been years in the making. However, this critical upgrade is now threatened by the specter of misinformation that could erode trust in the electoral process. Election officials across the nation are deeply concerned that misinformation campaigns could undermine public confidence in these crucial updates.

In the wake of the 2020 elections, the issue of voting machine security came under intense scrutiny, with some supporters of former President Donald Trump propagating conspiracy theories about election integrity that damaged voter confidence and helped to fuel an insurrection. These claims led to demands for election audits in swing states and calls for hand-counting ballots, both of which election officials argue could be more time-consuming, costly, and less accurate.

Misinformation campaigns surrounding the security and accuracy of voting machines can have far-reaching consequences. These campaigns can sow doubt about the electoral process, eroding the trust that citizens place in the democratic system. This mistrust can ultimately lead to polarization, division, and a lack of faith in the election results.

The new voting machine certification standards, adopted by the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) in early 2021, represent a significant leap forward in terms of cybersecurity and accessibility for voters with disabilities. These standards are set to be implemented on November 15, 2023, just one year ahead of the potentially contentious 2024 presidential election.

One controversial term that has arisen in the context of these new standards is "deprecation." Election officials were worried that this term might be exploited by misinformation campaigns, leading the public to believe that older voting machines would be rendered obsolete. The EAC clarified that "deprecation" does not mean "decertification." Still, the agency decided to replace the term with "migration" in an attempt to improve public relations.

The way these changes are communicated to the public is critical to ensuring that they are not misunderstood or misrepresented. Public meetings about the communication strategy have involved extensive criticism, and a national association of top election officials has urged the EAC to address their concerns seriously.

EAC Commissioner Donald Palmer emphasized the importance of using plain language and being responsive to the needs of election officials. The goal is to help the public better understand the process and maintain confidence in the nation's voting systems.

EAC Chair Christy McCormick acknowledged that the agency faces significant resource constraints. As a result, they do not have the same level of visibility or funding as other high-profile campaigns. Still, she stressed that a collaborative, "fifty-state effort" is required to ensure the success of these new standards.

Despite the introduction of new certification standards, the reality is that virtually every voting system used in the 2024 elections will be certified under the old standards, not the new ones. Election officials emphasize that machines certified under previous standards are secure and approved for use. However, there is a legitimate concern that ill-intentioned actors may exploit the situation by claiming that elections conducted on machines not certified under the new guidelines are invalid.

The misinformation surrounding voting machine security in the United States is deeply rooted in the events following the 2020 elections. False claims and conspiracy theories, often perpetuated by political figures and amplified on social media, alleged that voting machines were compromised, leading to fraudulent election results. These claims have been widely debunked, but they continue to circulate and influence public opinion.

One widely circulated piece of misinformation is the unfounded assertion that voting machines are susceptible to hacking and manipulation. Such claims have been discredited by cybersecurity experts who emphasize the robustness of the systems in place to protect voting machines. Nevertheless, the persistence of these falsehoods poses a significant challenge to maintaining public trust in the electoral process.

In response to the misinformation about voting machine security, calls for election audits in several swing states gained momentum. These audits were touted as a means of verifying the accuracy of the 2020 election results, particularly in states where the outcome was closely contested. While audits are a routine part of the electoral process, the way they were framed and conducted in 2020 raised concerns.

Some argue that these audits, despite the absence of evidence of widespread fraud, have contributed to the erosion of public confidence in the electoral process. They have been criticized for their partisan nature and the potential for bias in the selection of audit teams. The continued focus on these audits and their promotion in the media has fueled a climate of doubt and uncertainty around the accuracy of the elections.

The consequences of misinformation campaigns surrounding voting machines and election integrity are profound. They erode public trust in the electoral process, sow discord among citizens, and undermine the foundations of democracy. The polarizing effect of these campaigns has led to increased political division and a lack of faith in the legitimacy of election outcomes. It is essential to recognize that the strength of the democratic system hinges on trust, and misinformation threatens to corrode that trust.

Addressing Misinformation

To address the challenge of misinformation and its impact on voting machine certification and election integrity, a multifaceted approach is necessary. This includes:

1. Public Education: Educating the public about the security measures in place for voting machines, the certification process and the safeguards against manipulation is crucial. Public awareness campaigns, fact-checking initiatives, and clear, easily accessible information can counter misinformation.
2. Transparency: Election officials and governing bodies must maintain transparency throughout the election process. This includes openly communicating any changes or updates to voting machine standards and the reasons behind them.
3. Collaboration: A coordinated effort between federal, state, and local election authorities, along with tech companies and social media platforms, is needed to identify and combat misinformation. This could involve the prompt removal of false information from online platforms and the development of tools to track and debunk misinformation.
4. Political Leadership: Political leaders from both sides of the aisle must take a unified stand against misinformation, emphasizing the importance of free and fair elections and the credibility of the electoral process.
5. Cybersecurity Measures: Enhancing cybersecurity measures for voting machines and systems is essential to mitigate real threats to election integrity. This includes continuous monitoring, regular system updates, and rigorous testing to ensure the security of the voting infrastructure.

As we prepare for the 2024 presidential elections, the security and accuracy of voting machines are of paramount importance. The introduction of new certification standards represents a significant step forward, enhancing cybersecurity and accessibility. However, the specter of misinformation campaigns threatens to erode public trust in the electoral process.

To counter this challenge, election officials, the EAC, and the public must work together to ensure that the new standards are understood and accepted. Communication, plain language, and transparency are key to maintaining public confidence in the democratic system. While these challenges are formidable, the strength of the electoral process lies in its ability to adapt and overcome obstacles. The 2024 elections should serve as a testament to the resilience of American democracy, provided misinformation campaigns are effectively addressed. The fight against misinformation is crucial to ensuring that the core tenets of democracy remain intact and that elections continue to be a beacon of trust and transparency in the United States.

For more information please use the links below:

1. https://www.eac.gov/voting-equipment/certified-voting-systems
2. Voting Methods and Equipment by state: https://ballotpedia.org/Voting_methods_and_equipment_by_state
3. Voting Machine Manufacturers: https://www.eac.gov/voting-equipment/registered-manufacturers
4. How voting machines work:https://www.polyas.com/election-material/voting-machines