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Cost-effective testing method bolsters US election security amid federal cutbacks

As federal support for election security faces major cutbacks, a in the journal Operations Research introduces a scientifically backed, low-cost solution to strengthen the integrity of U.S. elections.

The study, "Improving the Security of United States Elections with Robust Optimization," presents a novel approach that helps detect vulnerabilities in voting machines before ballots are cast. Developed in collaboration with the Michigan Bureau of Elections, the method equips election officials with a practical strategy to detect important kinds of attacks and human error in vote counting—without placing additional strain on already limited budgets.

"As federal support for election security diminishes, it's imperative that we find practical solutions to safeguard our democratic processes," says co-author Bradley Sturt of the University of Illinois Chicago. "Our method enhances preelection testing without imposing significant financial burdens on local jurisdictions."

Enhancing a century-old practice with modern science

Logic and Accuracy Testing (LAT), a preelection verification process used for over 100 years and required by law in all 50 states, has never been systematically optimized to address modern cybersecurity risks—until now. By applying advanced robust optimization techniques, the researchers designed smarter test decks that can detect programming errors capable of causing vote-swapping between candidates.

Retrospective analysis of all 6,928 ballot styles from Michigan's 2022 general election revealed that this new method required just a 1.2% increase in test ballots yet yielded significant improvements in security.

"Our approach modernizes a longstanding procedure, making it more effective against today's sophisticated threats without adding significant costs," notes Sturt.

Election integrity amid federal funding cuts

The recent downsizing of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has left state election officials grappling with how to maintain election integrity amid shrinking federal resources. This study arrives at a critical time, offering a feasible alternative for local governments striving to ensure secure elections.

"With federal resources dwindling, state and local officials must adopt innovative, cost-effective measures to ensure secure elections," emphasizes Sturt. "Our research can fill part of that gap."

Field-tested, ready for national adoption

Successfully piloted by the Michigan Bureau of Elections, this optimized testing approach has demonstrated its practicality and effectiveness—offering a scalable, evidence-based tool to enhance election integrity and bolster public confidence nationwide, at minimal cost and without disrupting current workflows.