Delaney, Harris Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Protect Elections Systems from Foreign Ownership and Control

Press Release

Congressman John K. Delaney (MD-6) and Congressman Andy Harris, M.D. (MD-1) have filed bipartisan legislation that requires that election systems vendors associated with federal elections be owned and controlled by domestic companies. Earlier this month, the FBI informed Maryland officials that ByteGrid LLC, a firm used by the State for elections data, has ties to Russian oligarch Vladimir Potanin, an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The Protect Election Systems from Foreign Control Act is cosponsored by Rep. Kyrsten Sinema (AZ-9), Rep. Alcee L. Hastings (FL-20), Rep. Steve Cohen (TN-9), Rep. Mark DeSaulnier (CA-11), Rep. Suzan K. DelBene (WA-1) and Rep. William R. Keating (MA-9).

"What's happened in Maryland is very alarming and demands a legislative response," said Congressman Delaney. "We have to take concrete steps to protect our elections infrastructure, because the integrity of the system is essential to the integrity of our democracy. Importantly, this is a bipartisan bill and I appreciate Congressman Harris's partnership and understanding that this is bigger than politics."

"Foreign election interference is a critical threat to the United States' national security," said Congressman Harris. "The Protect Election Systems from Foreign Control Act will protect our elections from foreign interference by requiring election systems to be owned and operated by American companies. I am confident that our colleagues in the House will quickly consider this important, bipartisan legislation."

The firm in question, ByteGrid LLC owns the servers that hold the data for voter registration, election management and election night results for Maryland. To date, there are no indications that the firm took any actions to tamper with or influence Maryland elections, but Maryland officials have asked both the state Attorney General and federal officials to help the State Board of Elections review the system.

The Protect Election Systems from Foreign Control Act:

Requires that elections systems vendors are owned and controlled by domestic companies
Requires the Department of Homeland Security and the Election Assistance Commission to provide guidance and technical assistance to state and local election agencies
Establishes a database so agencies can verify that an election vendor is not foreign controlled
Create an annual review process to examine changes in vendor ownership or control

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