Bill aims to block foreign ownership of election systems

Days after Maryland officials announced that an election service vendor was acquired by a company linked to a Russian oligarch, two congressmen are introducing legislation requiring that election systems vendors are owned and controlled by domestic companies.

Rep. John Delaney, a Democrat, and Rep. Andy Harris, a Republican, are set to introduce the legislation Thursday.

The Protecting Election Systems from Foreign Control Act would also require the Department of Homeland Security and the Election Assistance Commission to provide guidance and technical assistance to state and local election agencies. It would establish a database so agencies can verify whether a vendor is not foreign controlled and create an annual review process to examine changes in ownership or control.