DES MOINES – Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate announced today he is joining a bipartisan group of Secretaries of State to coordinate an election security conference, with administrative support provided by the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS). The National Election Security Summit will be held September 10-11, 2018, at the Global Headquarters of World Wide Technology in St. Louis, Missouri.

"We are excited to promote the election security summit to all 99 Iowa county auditors and staff," Secretary Pate said. "The partnerships we build in September will reap dividends this election cycle and into the future. State election officials are actively working to help secure elections and working together to identify threats, vulnerabilities and solutions."

National, state and local election authorities will join officials from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Election Assistance Commission, Elections Infrastructure – Information Sharing and Analysis Center, security professionals, election experts, and other industry leaders to learn and share tangible best practices. These actionable security discussions will provide attendees useable steps to mitigate threats and vulnerabilities as election authorities gear up for the 2018 mid-term elections.

"The National Election Security Summit is providing an excellent opportunity for federal, state and local election officials to share ideas and solutions," said Secretary Connie Lawson, Indiana Secretary of State and chair of National Association of Secretaries of State. "I am excited to support this summit as it offers practical, real-world advice to county clerks and local officials. I appreciate Missouri Secretary Jay Ashcroft's leadership in bridging the gap between levels of government to ensure the security of our elections."

Presenters will lead attendees through topics such as protecting election systems, crisis management, best practices, election equipment security and communication.

"World Wide Technology is proud to host this year's National Election Security Summit at our new Global Headquarters," said Mike McGlynn, vice president, Security Solutions, WWT. "We look forward to bringing together state partners, state and local election officials and crisis experts to educate attendees on how the state can bring awareness and preparedness to election security."

For more details on the National Election Security Summit, visit www.ness2018.com.

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