Contact: Aaron White
Phone: 202-225-5506
[email protected]
Positions aimed at protecting Wisconsin elections from cyber threats remain open with less than one month until next election
La Crosse – Today, U.S. Rep. Ron Kind called on Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker to fill critical positions at the Wisconsin Elections Commission that have remained vacant months after being created in order to protect Wisconsin elections from cyber threats. This comes after the U.S. intelligence community confirmed that Wisconsin was one of at least 21 states that were targeted by Russian hackers in the 2016 election, and also stated that Russia is likely to continue to interfere with election systems in America.
“A free and fair election process is the keystone of our democracy. Yet, in the past few weeks, many have turned a blind eye to our trusted national intelligence and law enforcement officers, instead choosing to side with known adversaries to America,” said Rep. Ron Kind. “I am calling on Governor Scott Walker to put Wisconsinites first by filling the vacant positions at the Wisconsin Election Commission, so we can combat threats and interference ahead of our upcoming elections.”
Last year, Governor Walker eliminated five positions at the Wisconsin Election Commission, despite the positions being included in the state legislature’s budget. Similar positions were reinstated after the Wisconsin Elections Commission was able to utilize federal funds allocated for election security ahead of the next election.
This Spring, Rep. Kind sent multiple letters to the Wisconsin Elections Commission requesting more information about their efforts to secure Wisconsin’s elections. The robust plan the Commission returned will require full and immediate staffing.
Read the letter here.
