Colorado election equipment passwords were posted online in June, before primary

Election equipment passwords were improperly disclosed on the Colorado secretary of state’s website starting on June 21, meaning they were accessible online when Colorado’s June 25 primary election took place, according to Jena Griswold, the secretary of state. “Storing passwords in this manner is not in line with the Department’s required data security practices and training.” Griswold’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on how the leak might have affected the primary election. “Ensuring that Colorado’s elections are secure and accessible has been and will always be our top priority, which is why the Department of State, along with County Clerks and election workers across the state, address any and every potential risk to our elections with the utmost seriousness,” Griswold, a Democrat, said in a statement. I am dedicated to making sure we address this matter fully and that mistakes of this nature never happen again.” Both Republican and Democratic county clerks have also said that Tuesday’s election is secure, particularly since a person must be physically present to use a BIOS password, and election equipment is kept in protected locations.