RELEASE:
Secretary Hosemann’s Statement on Designation of State Election Systems as “Critical Infrastructure”
“The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s sudden decision to designate state election systems as ‘critical infrastructure’ is overreaching and unnecessary. The U.S. Constitution delegates responsibility for conducting elections to the states. The diversity of current state election systems is one reason these systems have remained secure. Despite widespread concern about cyberattacks (and repeated attempts), Mississippi’s Statewide Elections Management System was not breached. In fact, the Department of Homeland Security commended Mississippi for its current cybersecurity protocols. No citizen’s vote was compromised in Mississippi.
In the coming days, I will seek more information about the effect of this ‘critical infrastructure’ designation. I remain committed to protecting Mississippians’ personal registration information and protecting each and every vote. Clearly this can be accomplished without overreach by the federal government.”
1/10/17
Magnolia Tribune
