The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) have launched a joint Election Mail Security Public Service Announcement (PSA) and training video. This new initiative is taken to safeguard the U.S. general election 2024 integrity and the well-being of election officials.
CISA PSA focus on addressing the potential hazards associated with handling election mail, a critical component of U.S. election infrastructure.
As the nation gears up for another U.S. general election season, the collaboration highlights the federal government’s continued commitment to ensuring that election officials, as well as the mail-in voting process, remain secure and protected from both cyber and physical threats.
CISA and USPIS Join Forces for Election Security
In recent years, elections have faced increased scrutiny and threats, not only from cyberattacks but also from physical dangers like mail tampering and toxic substances potentially delivered through the postal system. Recognizing these evolving risks, CISA, which leads federal efforts to secure election infrastructure, has partnered with USPIS to fortify the safety of election-related mail. USPIS, known for its role in protecting the integrity of the U.S. mail system, plays a pivotal role in securing the delivery of election mail and ensuring election officials are shielded from harmful substances.
The PSA released underlines the joint efforts between local, state, and federal officials to protect the election process. It reinforces how both CISA and USPIS are working together to ensure election mail is not only secure from tampering but also free from any hazardous materials that could pose a threat to the safety of those handling it.
“CISA, alongside our federal partners like the US Postal Inspection Service, are committed to helping those on the frontline of our democratic process have the tools and resources necessary to accomplish their incredible mission while staying safe from the range of hazards they may face,” said CISA Director Jen Easterly. “Together, we can protect America’s election infrastructure against new and evolving threats, and that is our continued goal for Protect 2024 here at CISA.”
Chief Postal Inspector Gary Barksdale echoed this sentiment, highlighting the collaborative effort between the two agencies. “We have a shared commitment, with our close partner CISA, to ensure the safety of election workers and the security of election mail, in part through the education and empowerment of voters and election officials,” Barksdale said. “Today’s releases are another way we are delivering on that commitment.”
Safety Measures for Election Mail
The PSA and training video provide detailed guidance to election officials on how to safely handle mail that may present toxic hazards. This includes instructions on identifying suspicious mail, handling it appropriately, and mitigating any potential risks. In addition, election officials are urged to maintain close collaboration with local postal workers to ensure that election mail is processed and delivered in a timely and secure manner.
This initiative comes as part of CISA’s broader Protect 2024 campaign, which aims to arm election officials with the tools and resources they need to defend against a variety of threats to election infrastructure. This includes everything from cyber intrusions and disinformation campaigns to physical threats such as suspicious packages.
What Americans Can Do to Help
While federal agencies are working diligently to secure the U.S. general election 2024 process, the PSA also emphasizes the crucial role that individual voters play in safeguarding election mail. In the PSA, voters are encouraged to take the following steps to ensure the safe and secure handling of their election mail:
- Pick Up Mail Promptly: Voters should collect election mail from their mailboxes as soon as it is delivered. Leaving mail unattended for extended periods can increase the risk of it being tampered with or lost.
- Don’t Let Mail Sit Unattended: Whether outgoing or incoming, election mail should not be left unattended. Voters should avoid letting their ballots sit in a mailbox for too long, reducing the opportunity for someone to interfere with it.
- Use Secure Postal Options: When sending out election mail, voters are encouraged to take it directly to their local post office or hand it to a postal employee. This ensures that ballots are securely in the postal system from the very beginning.
- Track Your Ballot: Many states offer online tracking tools that allow voters to monitor the status of their ballots. Voters who are concerned about the status of their mail-in ballot should check with their local election office before reaching out to USPS. These tracking systems add an additional layer of transparency to the voting process, giving voters peace of mind that their ballots have been safely delivered and counted.
Protecting the Election Process Together
The combined efforts of CISA and USPIS, alongside local and state election officials, are part of a broader strategy to ensure that the 2024 elections are secure, safe, and trustworthy. With the rise of cyber and physical threats to the election process, this partnership represents a critical layer of defense. By providing election officials with the resources to handle potentially dangerous mail and encouraging voters to take simple yet effective measures to protect their ballots, the two agencies are helping to reinforce the integrity of the electoral process.
In a democracy, the ability to vote securely and without fear is paramount. The steps outlined in the PSA and the newly released training video are designed to maintain public confidence in the election process and ensure that all votes are counted, free from interference or harm. As the 2024 elections approach, voters, election officials, and federal agencies are working hand-in-hand to protect one of the country’s most sacred democratic institutions.
By taking proactive measures, both large and small, Americans can contribute to the safe and secure delivery of election mail and help uphold the integrity of the election process.
With CISA and USPIS at the forefront, the nation’s election infrastructure is better equipped to face the challenges of a rapidly evolving threat landscape, ensuring that every vote counts in a safe and secure environment.