Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose will host minority community leaders following disinformation campaigns that have previously targeted minority communities and potential threats ahead of the 2020 Election on Wednesday, February 13, 2020 at the Statewide Terrorism Analysis and Crime Center, 2885 West Dublin-Granville Road, Columbus, Ohio.

The event which is in partnership with the Statewide Terrorism Analysis and Crime Center is expected to address fears expressed by the minority community and discuss on ways forward.

Virtually every Ohio county has met the requirements of the Security Directive Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose issued in June 2019. One county is considered non-compliant and requires corrective action and seven counties have been good-faith partners but have minor additional action required. All other counties are considered fully compliant.

On June 11, 2019, LaRose issued Directive 2019-08, a comprehensive, multi-faceted security strategy for local boards of elections that provides the redundancy required of a strong election system infrastructure.

In order to assure Ohio counties were given a deadline of January 31st, 2020 to complete the requirements within the directive. The effort has made Ohio the national leader in election security.

Over the past seven months, the Secretary’s office has been working hand in hand with county boards of elections to help them achieve compliance with the directive, including daily phone updates and dozens of site visits. Ohio is utilizing $12.8 million in federal Help America Vote Act (HAVA) funds to enhance election security statewide. Ohio is the only state in the nation that made grants available directly to our local election officials through our latest round of HAVA funding.

“There will inevitably be attacks on our election system,” said LaRose.

“We have to be vigilant, and this successful implementation of our security directive leaves no doubt that Ohio is the best prepared state in the nation.”