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Russian Interference in the 2020 U.S. Election

RAND military sociologist Marek Posard describes several broad risks of foreign interference in American democracy and explains how Russia may use reflexive control theory to cause disruption in the 2020 U.S. Election.

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How Russia Targets U.S. Elections
In this campaign season, Russia might try to manipulate U.S. voters through social media as it did in 2016. New technologies have made these efforts easier. Russia's tactics aim to polarize Americans, create distrust, and paralyze the political process. What is the best defense against them?
Oct 1, 2020
How You Can Fight Russia's Plans to Troll Americans During Campaign 2020
The goal of Russian interference is to trigger emotional reactions and drive people to ideological extremes, making it nearly impossible to build a consensus. But Americans are less likely to have their emotions manipulated if they are aware that manipulation is the goal.
Jul 14, 2020
Options for Ensuring Safe Elections Amid COVID-19
The pandemic poses a serious threat to state election plans in 2020. There is still time for states to make policy changes, but those changes come with potential risks to public safety, and to election integrity, access, and logistics.
Aug 5, 2020
How Can We Protect Voters' Health and Secure the Election?
RAND's Quentin Hodgson describes several measures in place for combatting cyber threats to the 2020 presidential election and strategies for protecting the health of voters and poll workers.
Aug 6, 2020