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Florida has safeguards against election day hackers

Paper ballot used as top cybersecurity effort
Posted at 5:03 PM, Aug 19, 2016
and last updated 2016-08-19 18:29:59-04

Pasco County polling volunteers are taking an oath. It says they will do what they can to make sure Pasco County’s voting process is done by the book.

They’ve heard speculation about election day hacking.

“I just laughed about it. I don’t see how it could happen,” said volunteer Jerry Beer.

But Supervisor of Elections Brian Corley said while he’s confident no breach will happen in Florida, that doesn’t mean someone won’t try.

“There’s probably person or persons out there who have nefarious motives on their mind, and it certainly is a concern,” he said.

Homeland Security is just one agency that’s raised concerns about hackers interfering with the presidential election, especially in the wake of the DNC email leak.

Even Donald Trump has referred to a "rigged" election.

“I think this is a great reminder why internet voting is not ready for prime time. Not yet. One day it will be, but just not today,” said Corley.

Here in Florida, the State Association of Supervisors of Elections sent an open letter to voters detailing security measures. It said, in part, “recent enhancements have dramatically reduced exposures to hacking elections.”

At the core of Florida’s voting security measures is the paper ballot. Florida is still a paper ballot state, and when computers are used, they aren’t connected to the internet.

“The only time it’s connected is when we control on election night... The precincts are coming in with an encrypted password,” said Corley.

Corley said Florida’s ballots are checked and double checked, the layers of security of numerous and machines are tested before election day.

“I can’t speak for the other states. I can tell you Florida is ready, and there will be no shenanigans on election day in Pasco or the rest of Florida,” said Corley.

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