Cheyenne, Wyoming—As candidates and party supporters ramp up their campaigning in the final days before the general elections next week, state officials are intensifying their focus on election security and integrity. Jen Easterly, Director of the Cyber Security and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), emphasized that while elections are inherently political, the security of those elections is not.
CISA has implemented a series of security measures, such as decentralizing machine tabulators and enhancing both cyber and physical safeguards to protect against misinformation and interference from domestic and foreign adversaries. Easterly stated that misinformation poses a significant threat to the integrity of American democratic institutions and can lead to real dangers for election officials.
In collaboration with the Department of Justice and state attorneys general, CISA is also prosecuting threats and violence against election workers, resulting in 18 convictions to date. Senior Advisor Cait Conley highlighted the importance of ensuring that election workers, regarded as heroes for their service, are safe and accountable.
Wyoming Secretary of State Chuck Gray expressed concerns about ballot box issues seen in other states, noting that Wyoming law mandates that all absentee ballots be mailed or delivered directly to clerks. Following the removal of drop boxes in Sheridan and Park Counties, Gray plans to push for stricter regulations in the 2025 legislative session.
As election day approaches, officials expect unofficial results by midnight or 2 AM following the election, with official confirmations from the canvassing committee potentially taking up to 10 days.