REPORT: Colorado leads nation in voter security ahead of upcoming election

We’re just 60 days away from election day. Like many Colorado voters, we wanted to know what our state is doing to make sure votes placed here will count and not be compromised.

“It’s extremely concerning,” said Paul Schlattmann, a cybersecurity specialist. “It is hard not to assume the worst.”

This is especially true given recent events that expose just how easy it is for hackers to compromise a system. For example during a “Hack-a-thon” hosted in Las Vegas last month, an 11-year-old boy, Emmett Brewer was able to hack into the Florida State Election website and change voting results. The entire hack was done under 10 minutes.

Schlattmann said it happens more than you’d think.

“Hacking is an opportunist event, so if it’s connected to the internet, it is vulnerable to a hack,” Schlattmann said.

But, hacking is a problem that doesn’t face Colorado voters. Published reports suggest Colorado is leading the nation when it comes to voter security.

“Colorado is the safest state to vote,” said Secretary of State Wayne Williams.

Why is that? Williams explains it’s because Colorado’s audit process is more advanced using what’s called, a voter-verifiable ballot.

“So in every case, that paper ballot is the record of the transaction,” he said.

This means even if the state website or voter system were to be compromised, each vote will still be verified on paper.

“We then audit how that ballot is tabulated,” Williams said. “Then compare that to the cast vote record in the machine to make sure it matches.”

Paper ballots will be sent out October 15.