WASHINGTON — The Department of Homeland Security is working to stop both rumors and intentional efforts to spread wrong information about the U.S. election process.
Federal officials say fake accounts posing as news outlets are spreading disinformation.
READ: President Trump addresses nation as presidency remains undecided
DHS officials say they’ve been preparing for attempts to spread wrong or confusing information about the election results.
.@DHS_Wolf lays out what the federal govt has done to secure #ElectionDay:
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) November 3, 2020
"We began laying the groundwork to secure this year’s election long ago by engaging in an unprecedented level of effort across the U.S. government with our state, local, and private sector partners." pic.twitter.com/812JdcbO3J
“Be prepared for efforts that call into question the legitimacy of the election,” said DHS Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Director Chris Krebs.
Krebs is warning people about fake twitter accounts pretending to be the Associated Press, calling states before the count is finished.
Another rumor the CISA is warning people to look out for suggests the results have been hacked or compromised, just because some results weren’t finished on election night.
🚨🚨🚨RUMOR CONTROL🚨🚨🚨
— Chris Krebs #Protect2020 (@CISAKrebs) November 4, 2020
We're seeing reports of fake media accounts calling a state - don't fall for it!
We predicted this would happen, check out the https://t.co/rqt4ZrZIzg entry! #Protect2020 pic.twitter.com/AqafRxEHx1
READ: Poll watchers emerge as a flashpoint in battle over ballots
It says the COVID-19 pandemic has increased the number of mail-in ballots, so it’s expected to take longer to count than in previous years in some cases.
CISA notes there have been attempts by Iran and Russia to interfere in the election, but it says there’s no evidence that any foreign influence has succeeded in compromising the actual vote in any way, saying they “addressed those threats quickly, comprehensively, and publicly.”
While the federal government warns against anonymous hackers, there are also concerns over President Trump’s own remarks in the overnight hours after the election, as he prematurely called North Carolina in his favor when the vote count there is in fact ongoing.
Bad actors cannot change election results without detection. Every state has robust safeguards to ensure accurate #election results.
— Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (@CISAgov) November 5, 2020
Here’s how we ensure a fair & accurate election: https://t.co/SYYd9aRicf #Protect2020 #Election2020 #ElectionSecurity #ElectionResults pic.twitter.com/NiEKbGwpAE
READ: Election officials worried by threats and protesters
CISA debunked another rumor about poll workers giving people sharpies so their ballots would be rejected.
The agency says poll workers only give people approved writing tools.
Cox Media Group