US poll security will likely still be issue in 2020

Significance

The bill will move to the Senate, where Republicans fear it over-reaches into states’ powers to manage elections. The standoff takes place within the context of the aftermath of the 2016 presidential election, in which Russians interfered via informational techniques and social media. The bill is designed to prevent another such occurrence, but the ability for actors to manipulate election results is more far-reaching than the methods addressed in this bill.

Impacts

• The bill would authorise federal money annually to improve and maintain states’ election systems.
• Social media firms will face more government and public pressure to prevent foreign election interference via their platforms.
• Social media firms will find it difficult to police their platforms without increasing editorial control.