An example of the postcards the state sends to Colorado residents it believes are eligible to vote but not yet registered. Recently, the Secretary of State’s Office mailed the notices to roughly 30,000 non-citizens living in the state notifying them on how they could register to vote.

In a significant security lapse, the Colorado Secretary of State’s Office acknowledged on Tuesday that it mistakenly posted an online document containing passwords for its voting system. This revelation arrives just days before the U.S. presidential election, scheduled for November 5. The incident has sparked concerns regarding the integrity and security of the voting process in Colorado.

Background on Voting System Provider

The voting machines used by Colorado were designed by Dominion Voting Systems, a prominent election technology provider. Dominion’s equipment is widely used across the U.S. to ensure secure and efficient election processes. However, security protocols dictate that only a limited number of certified state officials have access to the sensitive passwords needed to manage and maintain these systems. This security measure aims to prevent unauthorized access, ensuring that voting infrastructure remains uncompromised.

Who is Supposed to Have the Passwords?

Under standard procedure, only authorized personnel within the Secretary of State’s Office should have access to the passwords. This typically includes state-certified technicians and election officials who are directly responsible for overseeing the technical aspects of voting machine operation and security. These controls are put in place to mitigate the risk of tampering and maintain election integrity.

How Will the Problem Be Solved?

Upon realizing the error, the Secretary of State’s Office took swift action, removing the document from online access. Officials are now working with cybersecurity experts to change the compromised passwords across all affected systems. Additionally, they have implemented extra layers of security to monitor and restrict access leading up to and during the election. Colorado officials are also working closely with Dominion Voting Systems to ensure that any remaining security gaps are addressed.

The Secretary of State’s Office emphasized that there is no indication that any unauthorized access occurred during the time the document was posted. However, election observers and cybersecurity experts will be monitoring the system closely to ensure voter confidence and maintain the integrity of the upcoming presidential election.