MD Board of Elections Vendor found with Financial Ties to Russian National

Maryland Election officials last week learned that one of the vendors that provides a number of services – including voter registration infrastructure – had been acquired by a parent company with financial ties to a Russian national.  Governor Larry Hogan says that the information they have does not indicate any wrongdoing or criminal acts, but with the General Election fast approaching even the appearance of the potential for bad actors to have influence on the state’s election could undermine public trust in the integrity of the state’s election system.  State officials have asked Homeland Security’s Office of Cybersecurity and Communications for technical help to evaluate the network used by the Maryland State Board of Elections – including auditing the integrity of the network.

STATEMENT OF SENATE PRESIDENT THOMAS V. MIKE MILLER, JR. AND HOUSE SPEAKER MICHAEL E. BUSCH

Annapolis, Maryland – Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr. and House Speaker Michael E. Busch issued the following statement regarding links between a Russian-backed company and the Maryland State Board of Elections:

“We were briefed late yesterday, along with Governor Hogan, by the Federal Bureau of Investigation that the software vendor who maintains portions of the State Board of Elections voter registration platform was purchased by a Russian investor in 2015, without the knowledge of State officials. While the FBI did not indicate that there was a breach, we were concerned enough to ask Attorney General Frosh to review the existing contractual obligation of the State, as well as asked for a review of the system to ensure there have been no breaches. We have also instructed the State Board of Elections to complete all due diligence to give the voters of Maryland confidence in the integrity of the election system. We are also asking the federal Department of Homeland Security Election Task Force to assist the State Board of Elections for any corrective action deemed necessary.”