The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has released a new guide for state, local, Tribal, and territorial election officials that provides a framework and practical tools for developing and implementing a year-round communications plan for election security.
CISA’s “Enhancing Election Security Through Public Communications” guide, developed in partnership with the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC), highlights how election officials can mitigate risk to election infrastructure and operations by developing a public communications plan.
According to CISA, the plan should convey accurate information about how officials administer and secure elections and prepare their teams to communicate effectively during incident response.
“The ability for election officials to be transparent about the elections process and communicate quickly and effectively with the American people is crucial for building and maintaining their trust in the security and integrity of our elections process,” CISA Senior Advisor Cait Conley said. “This guide is about providing election officials with resources and tools that help them do that as they work tirelessly to meet the unique needs of their state and local jurisdictions.”
The guide, released on June 17, highlights how officials can tailor their communications plan to meet the unique needs of their jurisdiction while operating within the resources available.
It also provides worksheets to help election officials develop core plan components – including messaging, timing, formatting, audience, and partners.
“Election officials are the trusted sources of election information. This resource supports election officials to successfully deliver accurate communication to voters with the critical information they need before and after Election Day,” EAC Chairman Ben Hovland, Vice Chair Donald Palmer, Commissioner Thomas Hicks, and Commissioner Christy McCormick said in a joint statement.
“Effective and transparent communication not only helps eligible Americans to cast their ballot and instill confidence in the voting process but is essential to trusting the security of our elections, and the accuracy of?the?results,” they said.
CISA’s guide was released ahead of the Georgia, Oklahoma, and Virginia primary elections taking place on June 18.
