The Colorado Secretary of State’s Office recently found itself in a compromising position when it mistakenly uploaded a spreadsheet to its website, containing a hidden tab with voting system passwords. This oversight has certainly stirred up a mix of reactions, especially as election security remains a top concern for voters and officials alike.
In response, the Colorado Department of State quickly released a statement acknowledging the error, but they were quick to downplay the security risks. According to their office, the information released was “partial passwords” for voting equipment and supposedly won’t impact the election process or the way ballots are counted. They emphasized the multi-layered security measures in place, such as two unique passwords for each piece of voting equipment and strict chain-of-custody protocols. Officials also reassured the public that passwords alone would not allow access to the systems, as physical access and separate credentials are also required.
The GOP in Colorado wasn’t entirely sold on the state’s reassurance, making it clear they saw the error as a significant lapse in judgment. They voiced concerns about the potential vulnerabilities this could introduce, urging the Secretary of State’s Office to double down on efforts to rectify the situation. Their comments reflect a growing skepticism toward the state’s ability to fully secure election data.
Colorado officials outlined further steps they’re taking to prevent unauthorized access. This includes storage of voting equipment in secure rooms, restricted access policies, 24/7 surveillance, and comprehensive logging of anyone who enters secure areas. To top it off, they pointed out that unauthorized access is considered a felony under Colorado law, underscoring the state’s commitment to penalizing breaches seriously.
In a nod to the integrity of the vote itself, the office highlighted that every Colorado voter uses a paper ballot. These ballots undergo a Risk-Limiting Audit to ensure the votes are counted as intended, with officials hoping this measure reassures voters about the security of their ballot—even amid security slip-ups.
