Members of the Senate Intelligence Committee are proposing federal aid to the states to better secure elections systems and to improve communication between federal and state authorities.
Republican U.S. Sen. Susan Collins says the legislation comes as a response to concerns about Russian efforts to influence the 2016 presidential election.
“We are already in an election year. The need to act now is urgent,” she says.
The bipartisan legislation is aimed at making sure any election result can be audited with a paper trail and not just an electronic record of a vote. Lawmakers are pushing quick passage so that vulnerable voting systems can be fixed before this year’s congressional elections.
“We must assist states in hardening there defenses against foreign adversaries including passing much needed legislation providing funding and authorizing appropriate security clearances to top election officials,” Collins says.