ASPEN, Colo. (AP) – Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly says states should not be wary of asking for the federal government’s help to strengthen election systems in light of Russian meddling in last year’s election.
Kelly says he understands why states don’t want Washington getting involved in state elections. But he says he thinks states are “nuts” if they don’t ask for federal help in bolstering election security.
Kelly says the federal government is not going to take over state elections, but that with foreign countries, criminals or others who could try to meddle in American democratic process, state officials would be smart to get extra help.
Kelly spoke Wednesday at the Aspen Security Forum, an annual event gathering of national security and intelligence experts.