Election Security is Top Priority for Office of the Secretary of the State
SOTS Continues to Put Safeguards in Place to Ensure Connecticut Election Integrity Ahead of 2024 General Election
With fewer than 60 days until the general election, the Office of the Secretary of the State (SOTS) wants to reassure Connecticut voters and the public that election security remains the top priority ahead of the November 5th election. In a landscape increasingly threatened by foreign interference and a surge of online misinformation, Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas’ office has been using a variety of proactive and innovative methods to ensure Connecticut voters and elections remain safe and secure, including voter outreach and education, as well as trainings for local election officials.
Since the start of her term, Secretary Thomas has been working to build a network of constituencies to help collect and share information regarding voting processes, as well as an outlet of rapid responses in the event of emergencies and crises. She has worked to build trust and collaboration among local Registrars of Voters and Town Clerks to serve as key members of this coalition that also consists of organizations that touch every aspect of voters’ lives, including churches, non-profits, colleges and universities, professional associations, businesses, and employers.
“Building an on-the-ground team of messengers in every possible community is key to spreading important election information that is not just the where, when, and how of voting but also serves as a rapid-response communication network to thwart any misinformation,” said Secretary Thomas. “Our goal is to ensure that every voter in Connecticut can cast their ballot with confidence, knowing their voice is protected, and their vote is counted.”
In addition, SOTS has rolled out an extensive social media campaign aimed at educating the public about distinguishing misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation. Secretary Thomas has also actively participated in the #TrustedInfo2024 campaign, a collaborative effort with the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) to affirm the role of election officials as reliable sources of accurate election information. The office is also partnering with the Connecticut Intelligence Center (CTIC) on a social media campaign to ensure voters know where to go for trusted election information, an effort to enhance public awareness and empower citizens to critically evaluate information they encounter.
For nearly two years, the Secretary of the State’s office has been actively engaged in monthly meetings with CTIC, which is one of 80 Fusion Centers across the nation. These monthly meetings bring together federal, state, and local government agencies, as well as representatives from the judicial branch, for intelligence sharing and collaboration on security measures, helping to refine strategies and enhancing resilience against potential threats.
In June, the Office participated in the Governor’s Emergency Planning & Preparedness Initiative (EPPI), an annual event hosted by CTIC. This year’s EPPI focused on the 2024 general election, orchestrating a simulation exercise at the State Emergency Operations Center. This exercise brought together nearly a dozen state agencies—including SOTS, the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP), the Division of Emergency Management & Homeland Security, the Military Department – as well as municipal emergency services, Registrars of Voters and Town Clerks from 150 towns to stress-test emergency operations plans in place, allowing the opportunity to address any pain points ahead of the election.
“Compared to other states, Connecticut has been proactive in its election security efforts,” said DESPP Deputy Commissioner Brenda Bergeron. “The early start of building a comprehensive team and ensuring all levels of government have had a seat at the security strategy table is what has helped build a good momentum going into the general election.”
In addition to these strategic exercises, SOTS has arranged specialized training to further prepare local election officials. Secretary Thomas has invited the federal Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) to lead a de-escalation training later this month for the state’s Registrars of Voters and Town Clerks at each group’s bi-annual convening. The goal of the training is to equip local election officials with skills to manage any disruptive behavior that may arise at polling locations during the election. The state has also provided Registrars and Town Clerks with access to the SANS security awareness training platform, which offers tools and resources for increasing information security and reducing risk to those offices.
SOTS is also working to ensure that all Registrars are current with their mandatory certifications or are actively renewing them, and that all Registrar training is up to date. Secretary Thomas also meets with all Registrars and Town Clerks monthly to share best practices. Additionally, SOTS has provided towns with ample voter protection assistance by recruiting volunteer attorneys to be on-call during the election period.
“Election security is a collective effort,” said Secretary Thomas. “From local election officials to our statewide and federal partners, everyone is working tirelessly to ensure that every facet of our election process is ready for any threat. This unity and commitment have been crucial in preserving the integrity of our democratic process and making certain that every voter can trust the security of their ballot.”
To stay informed about the 2024 elections, including early voting and absentee ballot details, visit MyVote.ct.gov.
