Cybersecurity
For Election Administrators, Death Threats Have Become Part of the Job
In a polarized society, the bureaucrats who operate the machinery of democracy are taking flak from all sides. More than 20 have resigned or retired since March 1, thinning their ranks at a time when they are most needed.
Emerging Tech
New Coalition Wants to Help in Fight Against Election Misinformation
The Election Integrity Partnership consists of university researchers and others. Local election officials are among those the partnership is hoping to assist in the weeks ahead.
Ideas
The U.S. Election System Is Not Ready for Blockchain Technology … Yet
Blockchain does not exist in a vacuum. It requires extensive support from human personnel and other technology.
Ideas
AI Methods Make COVID-19 Forecasting More Local
The researchers say that officials and anyone in the public can use in their decision-making processes.
Cybersecurity
More Federal Funds Could Help Small Jurisdictions With Technical Tools to Secure Elections, Expert Says
The potential for disinformation to disrupt the process casts a shadow on significant improvements made since 2016.
Digital Government
National Data Service Should be Created Within the National Science Foundation, Data Foundation Says
The service could serve a central point for agencies—and state governments—to share data.
Ideas
Energy Is a Basic Need, and Many Americans Are Struggling to Afford It in the COVID-19 Recession
And the problem could get worse as the economy continues to struggle.
Modernization
IT modernization for the COVID era
Crises are clarifying events, and the pandemic is making clear the limits of IT systems built for a different era.
Cybersecurity
How Your Local Election Clerk Is Fighting Global Disinformation
Russians don’t have to change votes. They can change minds.
Artificial Intelligence
One City Rejected a Policing Algorithm. Could It Be Used For Other Purposes?
In Pittsburgh, an algorithm that deployed law enforcement officers to predicted crime “hot spots” might be repurposed to send social services to areas in need instead.
Modernization
Ditching Legacy Systems Will Require Adjusting Some Regulations, Experts Say
Federal investment in upgraded technology will help governments better take care of the American people, experts say, but that means rules must be updated to foster innovation
Ideas
Dashboard Displays COVID-19 Disparities by County
Although COVID-19 has swept across the entire country, its burden has not been spread equally.
Ideas
Rural America Is More Vulnerable to COVID-19 than Cities Are, and It's Starting to Show
Of the top 25 COVID-19 hot spots that popped up in the last two weeks, 18 were in non-metropolitan counties.
People
Public sector employment continues to slide
However positive signs in the May jobs report could sideline federal legislation to extend aid to local governments.
Digital Government
Trump’s Attacks on Vote-by-Mail Worry Some Election Officials
For months, President Donald Trump has been one of the loudest opponents to vote by mail.
Digital Government
Pandemic, Civil Unrest Complicate Voting in the Nation’s Capital
Washington, D.C. is among the jurisdictions that encouraged residents to vote by mail to stay safe amid the coronavirus pandemic, but voters who came out to the polls Tuesday still encountered long lines.
Modernization
As Virus Keeps Kids From Schools, New Figures Show Millions Lack Home Internet
Meanwhile, a California education official this week said it would take at least $500 million to get students there the computers and internet access they need, and asked the private sector to help.
Policy
States Struggle to Get Vote-by-Mail Plans Ready in Time
Many states delayed their primaries to give election officials more time to prepare, but quickly overhauling procedures comes with real challenges. What will it all mean for the November elections?
Emerging Tech
Did That Drone Just Tell Us to Stay 6 Feet Apart?
At least 40 law enforcement agencies across the country have used drones in the past few months for coronavirus-related purposes.
Modernization