As campaigning revs up, WA laws aim to detect cyber attacks and protect election workers

As the 2024 campaign season heats up, new laws are taking hold in Washington to protect election workers and boost security of ballot counting statewide.

One increases criminal penalties for harassment of election officials. Another requires counties to install certain security measures on election equipment and allows the Secretary of State to certify results in situations where counties don’t.

Combined with a third law to curb the number of rejected ballots, Washington lawmakers seek to bolster public confidence in the conduct of elections amid the continuing spread of misinformation and cyberthreats.

“(We) recognized the need to do all we can this cycle to protect the integrity of the entire system,” said Rep. Mari Leavitt, D-University Place.

https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2024/04/01/as-campaigning-revs-up-wa-laws-aim-to-detect-cyber-attacks-and-protect-election-workers/