News

Key resource alert: The Committee for Safe and Secure Elections (CSSE) recently released updated recommendations to help thwart swatting attempts that aim to intimidate and silence targeted individuals. Swatting, where false emergency calls are made to draw a heavily armed police response (SWAT team) to a specific location, is highly dangerous and disruptive to safety … Read more

Kathy Boockvar was recently interviewed by the Pittsburgh Post Gazette about challenges in the lead-up to the 2024 election, including the increase in threats against election officials since 2020. Boockvar discussed her work with the Committee for Safe and Secure Elections (CSSE) to support and strengthen protections for election officials, voters, and infrastructure. They discussed … Read more

Kathy Boockvar was recently interviewed by Pennsylvania Capital-Star about Pennsylvania’s Campaign Finance laws, fundraising, and reporting requirements for candidates. Boockvar spoke about the insufficient enforcement authority defined under Pennsylvania law, combined with insufficient funding allocated by the legislature.     “I think we’re dealing with laws that don’t have sufficient enforcement mechanisms combined with a lack of … Read more

Kathy Boockvar spoke with USA Today about the challenges of the existing two-party system, including restrictions on independents voting in primaries and hurdles third-party candidates face when trying to get on the ballot. Under Pennsylvania’s laws barring independents from voting in the primary, Boockvar explained that this leads to more extreme members of the electorate … Read more

Athena Strategies is proud to share that President Kathy Boockvar has been asked to join the Union of Concerned Scientists’ Election Science Task Force. The task force brings together more than 20 experts across the U.S. who are actively working to strengthen our electoral system and to augment the role of science in evaluating and advancing the … Read more

Kathy Boockvar spoke with AP News about the importance of federal funding for elections and sufficient resources to ensure safe and secure elections. She shared insights into why we should be investing in elections over a longer term so election officials can plan for their infrastructure needs ahead of time. She contrasted the approximately $400 … Read more

Athena Strategies President Kathy Boockvar recently spoke with the Philadelphia Inquirer about the continuing spread of disinformation about the 2020 election and the deliberate efforts by President Trump and his allies to destroy people’s faith in our democracy and electoral system.   She spoke at length about all the layers of election security and integrity processes … Read more

Kathy Boockvar spoke with Votebeat about the exodus of election officials in Pennsylvania and nationally, many of whom have been leaving their positions due to the increase in challenges they are facing, including threats, harassment, lack of resources, and spiraling disinformation.   She spoke about the importance of legislative action and funding to give the Department … Read more

The Future US and Issue One have launched the nationwide AI + Election Security Coalition to combat AI threats to our democracy & harness “AI for good.” Athena Strategies President Kathy Boockvar is proud to serve as a Senior Advisor to The Future US and will co-lead the Coalition with Daniel B. Prieto, former Director … Read more

ICYMI – Kathy Boockvar was pleased to sign on to an amicus brief submitted to the United States Supreme Court by the Brennan Center for Justice on behalf of a bi-partisan group of current and former election officials that also includes Seth Bluestein, Edgardo Cortes, Lisa Deeley, Mark Earley, Neal Kelley, Trey Grayson, and DeForest B. Soaries. The brief filed … Read more

Looking ahead to the new year, Kathy Boockvar spoke with Route Fifty about the challenges that government officials are likely to face in 2024, including concerns about threats to election officials and recommendations for strengthening election safety and security. Boockvar discussed the implications of false claims spread by election deniers and shared her work to … Read more

Athena Strategies President Kathy Boockvar recently interviewed with Governing to discuss the role of law enforcement in protecting democracy, and the importance of cross-sector collaboration between election officials and law enforcement. Boockvar discussed her personal experiences with intimidation and threats while she was PA Secretary of State. She also spoke about her work with the … Read more