The Truth About “Offline” Voting Systems Straight from NBC News
- Apr 10
- 2 min read
For years, Americans have been told something simple:
“Voting machines are not connected to the internet.”
That claim has been repeated in congressional hearings, by election officials, and by those responsible for overseeing our elections. But according to a national investigation by NBC News, that’s not the full story.
What NBC Discovered
In a January 10, 2020 broadcast, NBC News reported that independent cybersecurity experts found dozens of election systems connected online across multiple states.
Let that sink in.
Despite years of assurances, researchers were able to identify at least 35 election systems exposed online and they kept finding more.
How Are “Offline” Systems Getting Online?
According to the report, some jurisdictions use modems inside voting systems to transmit results.
That means:
Systems designed to be offline
Are being connected, however briefly
Through cellular networks
Even if it’s “just for seconds,” cybersecurity experts warn that any connection creates risk.
What Experts Are Saying
Cybersecurity specialists interviewed in the report were clear:
These connections can create entry points for hackers
Once inside, attackers could potentially alter software
And impact future elections—not just current results
One expert put it bluntly:
“Modems in voting machines are a bad idea.”
This Isn’t About Fear—It’s About Reality
This isn’t speculation. This isn’t partisan. This is NBC News reporting based on real-world testing by cybersecurity professionals. And it raises a simple question:
If these systems are truly secure, why are they ever connected at all?
What This Means for Nebraska
Nebraska voters deserve complete transparency about how our systems work.
Not assumptions. Not reassurances. Not “trust us.”
Because confidence in elections doesn’t come from words. It comes from verifiable systems and processes.
Scott Petersen’s Position
“Elections aren’t about speed. They’re about trust and accuracy.”
If there are vulnerabilities, even potential ones, they should be:
Identified
Addressed
And openly communicated to the public
Because Nebraskans deserve to know exactly how their votes are handled.
The Bottom Line
The claim that voting systems are “not connected to the internet” is not always true in practice. And that matters. Because even limited connectivity introduces:
Risk
Questions
And uncertainty
And when it comes to elections, uncertainty is unacceptable.
It’s Time for Transparency
This campaign is about restoring confidence in our elections through:
✔️ Transparency
✔️ Accountability
✔️ Real oversight
Not assumptions. Not shortcuts. Not blind trust.
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