DHS, FBI Say No Evidence That Russia Hacked Florida Voter Registries - Reports

WASHINGTON (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 22nd August, 2018) Russia has not breached any voter registration systems in Florida ahead of the November midterm elections, despite claims to the contrary, US media reported on Tuesday, citing a letter written by Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen and FBI Director Christopher Wray to the states election officials.

Nielsen and Wray said in their letter that there was no evidence to support claims that Russia hacked the state's voter systems ahead of the midterm elections in November.

The claims were made by Democratic Senator Bill Nelson, who earlier this month alleged that Russian hackers had breached voter registration systems in some counties in the state head of the November elections.

Nelson told the Tampa Bay Times newspaper that the Russian hackers "have already penetrated certain counties in the state and they now have free rein to move about."

Sen. Nelson further alleged he had been instructed by Senate Intelligence Committee leaders to let the electoral supervisors in Florida know that Russians "are in their records."

The Democrat declined to elaborate, saying that the data was classified.

A spokeswoman for the Florida Department of State, Sarah Revell, told the newspaper they had received no information from the senator, the US Homeland Security Department or the FBI that corroborated his claims.

Florida Secretary of State Ken Detzner has demanded that the US Senate corroborate Nelsons claim.

Detzner sent a letter to Committee Chairman Richard Burr on Thursday, urging "immediate transparency and cooperation in sharing that information so that we can take action to protect our elections."

He said he was very concerned by Sen. Nelson making such claims without evidence or details.

Detzner said the Florida Department of State had immediately contacted the US Homeland Security Department and the FBI, who said they had no information that corroborated Sen. Nelsons allegations.

The United States is gearing up for midterm elections in November to fill all 435 seats in the House of Representatives and 35 of the 100 Senate seats.