AJR86

A Joint Resolution urging the Secretary of State to assure the Legislature and the public that the State’s electoral system is protected from foreign computer hackers.

Whereas, In August 2016, it was revealed that the voter registration databases of two states had been hacked by foreign entities seeking to steal the personal information of registered voters; and

Whereas, In Arizona, foreign hackers stole the user name and password of an election official in one county, and in Illinois the hackers actually accessed that state’s voter registration database and stole the personal information of 200,000 registered voters; and

Whereas, Following these events, the Federal Bureau of Investigation alerted all election officials to monitor their electoral systems for intrusion, and to take measures to protect these systems by adopting procedures to limit access only to essential personnel and measures to enhance cyber security; and

Whereas, Election processes and systems are the bedrock of our democracy, and when properly protected, they assure the legitimacy of the outcomes of all local, state, and federal elections; and

Whereas, Foreign intrusion by hackers into election systems and databases in the United States can cast doubts on the integrity of our elections; and

Whereas, The Secretary of State is the Chief Election Official, and oversees the systems and procedures in place at the State and local levels to conduct our elections; and

Whereas, The hacking of election databases that took place in Arizona and Illinois raises questions about whether New Jersey’s election procedures and systems are currently and sufficiently protected against foreign hackers and other unauthorized intrusions; and

Whereas, It is therefore fitting and proper for the Secretary of State to communicate with the Legislature and the public about the measures currently in place to protect our electoral system, and to reassure the citizens of this State that our procedures and systems are safe and protected from foreign hackers and other intrusions; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

1. The Legislature hereby urges the Secretary of State, as the Chief Election Official, to communicate with the Legislature and the public about the measures currently in place to protect our electoral system, and to reassure the citizens of this State that our procedures and systems are safe and protected from foreign hackers and other intrusions.

2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate or the Clerk of the General Assembly to each county board of elections and superintendent of elections in this State.

3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

This resolution urges the Secretary of State to assure the Legislature and the public that the State’s electoral system is protected from foreign computer hackers.

In August 2016, it was revealed that the voter registration databases of two states had been hacked by foreign entities seeking to steal the personal information of registered voters. In Arizona, foreign hackers stole the user name and password of an election official in one county, and in Illinois the hackers actually accessed that state’s voter registration database and stole the personal information of 200,000 registered voters. Foreign intrusion by hackers into election systems and databases in the United States can cast doubts on the integrity of our elections.

Therefore, the Secretary of State, as the Chief Election Official, is urged to communicate with the Legislature and the public about the measures currently in place to protect our electoral system, and to reassure the citizens of this State that our procedures and systems are safe and protected from foreign hackers and other intrusions.