NBC News is reporting that the U.S. intelligence community developed substantial evidence that state websites or voter registration systems in seven states were compromised by Russian-backed covert operatives prior to the 2016 election, but never told the states involved, according to multiple U.S. officials.
Top-secret intelligence requested by President Barack Obama in his last weeks in office identified seven states where analysts -- synthesizing months of work -- had reason to believe Russian operatives had compromised state websites or databases.
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Three senior intelligence officials told NBC News that the intelligence community believed the states as of January 2017 were Alaska, Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, Texas and Wisconsin.
Here is the full statement from Secretary Pablos:
“Our agency has seen no evidence that any voting or voter registration systems in Texas were compromised before the 2016 Elections, contrary to the suggestions contained in the alleged classified intelligence assessment described, but not shown, to us by NBC News. Election security is a top priority for our agency as we continue to employ effective and forward-thinking cybersecurity measures to further strengthen our state’s elections systems and safeguard against any malicious cyber activity. As always, our Elections and Information Technology officials are working tirelessly to ensure that every eligible Texas voter can cast a ballot with confidence.”