Author Archive
Jessica Huseman
Cybersecurity
Foreign Hackers Cripple Texas County’s Email System, Raising Election Security Concerns
The malware attack, which sent fake email replies to voters and businesses, spotlights an overlooked vulnerability in counties that don’t follow best practices for computer security.
- By Jack Gillum, Jessica Huseman, Jeff Kao and Derek Willis, ProPublica
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.
- By Jessica Huseman, ProPublica
Policy
What the Post Office Needs to Survive a Pandemic Election
Fueled by the president’s unfounded claims about rampant voter fraud, and reports of equipment being removed, the plight of the United States Postal Service has captured America’s attention. Will it collapse? Here’s what you need to know.
- By Jessica Huseman, Maryam Jameel and Ryan McCarthy, ProPublica
Digital Government
Ignoring Trump and Right-Wing Think Tanks, Red States Expand Vote by Mail
The Heritage Foundation and other conservative groups warn, with little evidence, that voting by mail fosters fraud. But some Republican secretaries of state reject those concerns and see no alternative to absentee voting if the pandemic persists.
- By Jessica Huseman and Mike Spies, ProPublica
Cybersecurity
Iowa’s Lesson: Political Parties Are Not as Good as Government Officials at Counting Votes
Most primaries are run by state and local governments. But caucuses are different—and Iowa shows how that can be a problem.
- By Jessica Huseman, Jack Gillum and Derek Willis, ProPublica
Cybersecurity
Kansas Abandons Technology Trumpeted by Kris Kobach, Trump’s Onetime Voter Fraud Czar
The computer program, known as CrossCheck, matched various state voter rolls against each other to identify duplicate voters.
- By Jessica Huseman, ProPublica
Cybersecurity
The Market for Voting Machines Is Broken. This Company Has Thrived in It.
Half the country votes on machines made by ES&S. Many experts and election officials say the manufacturer remains dominant because there’s little government regulation and almost no oversight.
- By Jessica Huseman, ProPublica
Cybersecurity
Report on Election Security Gains Attention, and a Sharp Rebuke
It showed another kind of election security threat: companies looking to profit from a country on edge about the integrity of its national and local elections.
- By Jessica Huseman, ProPublica
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