10.23.20

Senators Murkowski and Sullivan Receive Security Briefing on Alaska Election Security

WASHINGTON, D.C. – After reports some Alaskans were targeted by Iran in an effort to intimidate American voters, U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, both R-Alaska, today released the following statement following a security briefing on election security in Alaska:

“This morning, we received detailed briefings by FBI and intelligence community officials on election security in Alaska. Given that our state and some of our citizens have already been targeted by Iran through “spoofed” emails designed to intimidate voters, Alaskans need to remain vigilant about the possibility of continued misinformation attacks from Iran or other foreign governments meant to sow discord and dissent or cast doubt on the integrity of Alaska’s electoral system and infrastructure.

“We were assured there have been no known security breaches on Alaska election systems, which remain secure.

“Alaskans should remain skeptical about sensationalist, dubious, and last-minute claims about Alaska election infrastructure.  If Alaskans see or hear evidence of such tactics, they should direct questions to State & Local election officials, the FBI, or congressional offices.”

Background: On October 21, Director of National Intelligence (DNI) John Ratcliffe and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Christopher Wray announced Iran targeted American voters with fake emails used to intimidate voters, which included Alaskans.

Click here for Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe’s remarks.

Click here for a joint statement from Select Committee on Intelligence Acting Chairman Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Vice Chairman Mark Warner (D-VA) on the matter.

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