Oklahoma Election Board denies claims of voter database breach
The Oklahoma State Election Board has denied claims from the White House that its voter registration database was breached by a cyber actor working on behalf of China. WATCH: Trump releases declassified documents on election security, claims of foreign interferenceDuring a primetime address about interference in the 2020 election, President Donald Trump said, “Our elections were left vulnerable to being rigged and stolen, and the trust of the American people was lost. This cannot be allowed to continue.”Redacted documents released Thursday night allege that a cyber actor downloaded publicly available voter registration data from six states, including Oklahoma, in 2022. The data was reportedly accessed from U.S. commercial websites using a U.S.-based IP address hosting state voter registration information. Paul Ziriax, Oklahoma State Election Board secretary, clarified that the data in question did not come from the state’s voter registration database. “Our legislature has enacted laws specifically intended to proactively protect our elections,” Ziriax said. He explained that Oklahoma’s election protections include paper ballots, bipartisan oversight, and voting devices that are not connected to the internet. State law also limits who can access voter registration lists. “While some have incorrectly interpreted this as a claim that Oklahoma’s voter registration database was breached, that is not the case,” Ziriax said. While Ziriax assured voters that their registration data is safe, Dr. James Davenport, a political science professor at Rose State College, said that publicly available information, such as names, addresses, and party affiliations, could still pose risks of identity theft. Davenport recommended that individuals monitor their financial accounts and consider signing up for identity theft protection services. With 2026 being a significant election year in Oklahoma, Ziriax encouraged the state’s more than 2 million registered voters to prepare. “Confirm your registration, confirm your voting place, make sure you get your sample ballot, and you’re ready to vote,” Ziriax said. On social media, Secretary of Homeland Security and former Sen. Markwayne Mullin supported the president’s stance, stating that anyone attempting to vote illegally would be caught.
The Oklahoma State Election Board has denied claims from the White House that its voter registration database was breached by a cyber actor working on behalf of China.
WATCH: Trump releases declassified documents on election security, claims of foreign interference
During a primetime address about interference in the 2020 election, President Donald Trump said, “Our elections were left vulnerable to being rigged and stolen, and the trust of the American people was lost. This cannot be allowed to continue.”
Redacted documents released Thursday night allege that a cyber actor downloaded publicly available voter registration data from six states, including Oklahoma, in 2022. The data was reportedly accessed from U.S. commercial websites using a U.S.-based IP address hosting state voter registration information.
Paul Ziriax, Oklahoma State Election Board secretary, clarified that the data in question did not come from the state’s voter registration database.
“Our legislature has enacted laws specifically intended to proactively protect our elections,” Ziriax said.
He explained that Oklahoma’s election protections include paper ballots, bipartisan oversight, and voting devices that are not connected to the internet. State law also limits who can access voter registration lists.
“While some have incorrectly interpreted this as a claim that Oklahoma’s voter registration database was breached, that is not the case,” Ziriax said.
While Ziriax assured voters that their registration data is safe, Dr. James Davenport, a political science professor at Rose State College, said that publicly available information, such as names, addresses, and party affiliations, could still pose risks of identity theft.
Davenport recommended that individuals monitor their financial accounts and consider signing up for identity theft protection services.
With 2026 being a significant election year in Oklahoma, Ziriax encouraged the state’s more than 2 million registered voters to prepare.
“Confirm your registration, confirm your voting place, make sure you get your sample ballot, and you’re ready to vote,” Ziriax said.
On social media, Secretary of Homeland Security and former Sen. Markwayne Mullin supported the president’s stance, stating that anyone attempting to vote illegally would be caught.
