Russian Tied To Voter Software Co.

As evidence that Russia is actively undermining our election system, as laid out in yesterday's indictments of 12 Russian military intelligence officers, the State of Maryland is investigating a software company, whose major investor is a Russian oligarch, that provides support to parts of Maryland's voter registration system. The company, ByteGrid LLC, was bought in 2015 by Putin loyalist and nickel magnate Vladimir Potanin without the knowledge of the State. Earlier this week, the FBI notified the State of the financial involvement of Potanin in the software company.

Last month, prior to Maryland's primary elections, some 80,000 voters were dropped off the registration list. Voters affected were forced to submit provisional ballots at the polls. After this latest discovery, Maryland has asked for cybersecurity technical assistance from the Department of Homeland Security to help audit the integrity of its voter registration network in advance of the 2018 mid-term elections.

Every state, but especially purple and blue states, should make it a top priority to audit, test and protect their voter registration lists and systems, in addition to the actual voting machine software. The Russians haven't quit interfering because they know they have an ally in the Oval Office.