Harrisonburg Registrar Details Robust Election Security Measures Ahead of Midterms
Harrisonburg registrar Mark Finks detailed the rigorous security measures in place for the city's voting machines and election process ahead of the midterms, emphasizing procedures like manual updates, serialized seals, and a lack of internet connectivity to ensure election integrity.
Harrisonburg, VA, October 29, 2026 — Harrisonburg, VA – As the midterm elections approach, city officials are highlighting the comprehensive security protocols designed to protect the integrity of the voting process. Mark Finks, the Harrisonburg registrar, recently detailed these measures, underscoring the city’s commitment to secure and reliable elections.
Finks emphasized that the voting machines in Harrisonburg are maintained with strict security procedures. A key aspect of this security framework involves the use of manual updates for election programming. This process ensures that no electronic or remote interference can alter machine configurations or election results.
Further reinforcing the security of the voting machines are serialized seals. These seals are applied to the machines and are meticulously tracked. Any tampering or unauthorized access would be immediately evident by the compromise of these seals, providing a critical physical safeguard.
A significant element in Harrisonburg’s election security strategy is the deliberate exclusion of internet connectivity from the voting machines. Finks stated that the machines operate on a standalone network and do not connect to the internet or any external network. This isolation is a fundamental measure to prevent cyber threats and ensure that election data remains secure and inaccessible from outside sources.
These detailed procedures are in place to ensure voter confidence and uphold the accuracy of the electoral count. The registrar’s overview provided insight into the layered approach Harrisonburg employs to safeguard its election infrastructure against potential vulnerabilities ahead of the upcoming midterms.
Story summarized from the original created by Mike Staley on www.whsv.com, see more information here.
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