and ownership information, according to the
report. There have been concerns about foreign
ownership of election companies operating in
the United States.
“Private vendors’ central role in American elections
makes them prime targets for adversaries,” the
report said. “Yet it is impossible to assess the
precise level of risk associated with vendors or
how that risk impacts election security.”
The report notes that just three companies
provide more than 80% of voting systems
in the U.S. and that other systems like voter
registration databases and electronic pollbooks
are also supplied and, in some case, maintained
by vendors.
A report by The Associated Press last year found
the leading voting-related companies had long
skimped on security in favor of convenience
and operate under a shroud of financial and
operational secrecy despite their critical role
in elections.
Federal officials have sought to boost
communications and information sharing
through the formation of a group that brings
together representatives of the Department of
Homeland Security and election vendors. This
includes the major firms of Election Systems
and Software, Dominion Voting Systems and
Hart InterCivic.
There are also efforts to develop a program that
would allow authorized security researchers
access to election equipment so vulnerabilities
within election systems can be identified and
addressed. The industry, historically opposed to
such outside reviews, has signaled a willingness
to explore this. All the major firms have sought
to reassure the public and election officials that