Warren Stewart – Page 32 – The Voting News

Pennsylvania’s House of Representatives on Wednesday approved a bill long sought by counties seeking help to manage huge influxes of mail-in ballots during elections in the presidential battleground state and to avoid a repeat of 2020’s drawn-out vote count. The bill comes barely six months before Pennsylvania could play a decisive role in selecting the next president in November’s election. The bill passed on party lines, 102-99, as Democrats backed it and Republicans opposed it, warning that it would open the door to fraud. Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, supports the bill, and on Wednesday issued a statement urging the Senate to pass it but it faces long odds in the Republican-controlled chamber. Read Article

Pennsylvania: Election officials in the US are under threat. A key county just faced a major test ahead of November | Sam Levine/The Guardian

Jim Rose, the director of administrative services in Luzerne county in north-eastern Pennsylvania, had been listening to the radio all morning and had not heard “a single peep” about problems at the polls during Pennsylvania’s primary on Tuesday. When he ran into Emily Cook, the county’s acting director of elections, she wasn’t ready to celebrate. It was, after all, only mid-afternoon, and the polls would be open until 8pm. “If you say that, you have to go outside, spin around on your left foot – it has to be your left foot – and throw some salt,” she said. … “I am very conscious of how important it is that I get this right, not just for the department or the county on the whole, but for my own job,” she said in her office. “It feels like a test and preparation for what comes in November.” Read Article

South Dakota: Three counties will vote on banning ballot tabulator machines, requiring hand-counting | Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight

Three South Dakota counties will ask voters during the June 4 primary if they should ban the use of tabulator machines in future local elections. If the measures pass, the auditor’s offices in each county would have to hand-count ballots in the Nov. 5 general election and thereafter. The votes – in Gregory, Haakon and Tripp counties – were forced by citizen-initiated petitions at the county level. The auditors in each county are now working to educate their citizens on the election process, including the accuracy and safety of tabulators, and highlighting the potential financial consequences of hand-counting ballots. Read Article

Texas: With lawsuits and recount petitions rising, some elections seem to go on forever | Natalia Contreras/The Texas Tribune

It has been 15 months since Democrat DaSean Jones was sworn in as a Harris County criminal district court judge. He’s presided over hundreds of cases since then. And he’ll be on the ballot again in November, this time for a seat on the Texas Supreme Court. But there’s an asterisk on his 2022 election win: His opponent, Republican Tami Pierce, is still challenging the outcome in court, arguing that there were “improper or illegal votes that shouldn’t have been counted” and that the election was “plagued with mistakes.” Her case is awaiting a ruling from a Bexar County visiting judge. It’s another example of a pattern officials and experts say they’re seeing around Texas in recent years: elections that just won’t end. Read Article

Wisconsin Republicans recruiting legion of monitors to observe polls, set stage for lawsuits | Molly Beck/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

The Republican National Committee and Trump campaign are set to mobilize tens of thousands of volunteers and attorneys to monitor and potentially challenge voting processes in battleground states like Wisconsin, echoing former President Donald Trump’s baseless election claims and positioning the effort as a response to alleged “Democrat tricks” from the 2020 election. GOP officials aim to recruit 100,000 individuals nationwide for observing election processes, conducting regular training sessions, and focusing on various aspects of the electoral process, including early voting, absentee ballot processing, and post-election procedures. Read Article

National: Local election workers fear threats to their safety as November nears. One group is trying to help | Christina A. Cassidy/Associated Press

The Committee for Safe and Secure Elections is spearheading efforts to train local election workers across the nation to respond effectively to threats and coordinate with law enforcement, particularly in the lead-up to another highly charged presidential election. Led by former clerk Tina Barton, who experienced threats firsthand after the 2020 election, the committee aims to address the alarming rise in harassment and security concerns among election officials since then. These training sessions, held recently in Traverse City and attended by law enforcement and election workers alike, focus on preparing officials for various scenarios, from physical security risks to harassment and intimidation tactics. Read Articles

National: Cash-strapped election offices have fewer resources after bans on private grants | Matt Vasilogambros/Stateline

In the past four years, 28 states, including Wisconsin, have banned or restricted local governments from using private donations for election offices, equipment, or hiring poll workers, with conservative lawmakers citing concerns about partisan influence from donors like Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan. Despite court rejections of these claims, the debate highlights broader concerns about insufficient local government funding for election offices, affecting tasks from Election Day operations to maintaining voter rolls and equipment. While some states allocate federal grants for election security, inconsistency in funding and reliance on volunteers or donations pose significant challenges. Efforts to improve funding, including a recent $55 million congressional allocation for elections, face obstacles in securing sustained federal support. Read Article

National: New federal grants aimed to support elections. Many voting officials didn’t see a dime | Miles Parks/NPR

Election officials across the U.S. agree that elections are severely underfunded, with outdated equipment and insufficient resources for basic functions like recounts in Kentucky. While the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) allocated a portion of a multibillion-dollar grant program to election security, issues arose in how the money was used. Some election officials reported that funds were either not spent on reinforcing voting infrastructure or were allocated hastily without proper consultation, leading to ineffective use. Challenges included a rushed timeline for grant applications and a lack of expertise in determining election security needs. Read Article

National: The fear of noncitizen voting is as baseless as it has been for 200 years | essica Huseman/Votebeat

President Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson recently advocated for a bill banning noncitizen voting, despite it being illegal and not a significant problem. The move, widely seen as an attempt to garner political support, echoes historical tactics of fear-mongering over noncitizen voting, dating back to the 1800s. Various instances throughout history illustrate how such rhetoric has been used to influence public policy and disenfranchise certain groups. Trump’s persistent focus on this issue, despite lack of evidence, reflects a longstanding pattern of baseless claims. Read Article

National: A crush of lawsuits over voting in multiple states is creating a shadow war for the 2024 election | Christine Fernando/Associated Press

As Biden and Trump gear up for the upcoming election, the Republican National Committee (RNC), now reshaped under Trump’s influence, is actively filing election-related lawsuits in nearly half of the states, targeting various aspects of voting and election administration. With internal changes and pressure from Trump, the RNC’s legal maneuvers are expected to play a significant role in the lead-up to the November elections, aiding in campaign messaging, fundraising, and casting doubts on the validity of the election. Democrats and legal experts warn that these lawsuits could overwhelm election officials, undermine voter confidence, and pave the way for false narratives challenging the legitimacy of the 2024 election, potentially obstructing certification of results. Read Article

National: Trump campaign says it will deploy thousands of election workers to monitor poll sites | Alex Isenstadt/Politico

Former President Donald Trump’s political operation has announced plans to deploy over 100,000 attorneys and volunteers across battleground states for the upcoming November election, aiming to monitor and potentially challenge vote counting. Described as the most extensive election integrity program in history, it will include training for poll watchers, workers, and lawyers. This initiative reflects Trump’s persistent focus on election security, despite widespread conclusions that there was no significant fraud in the 2020 election. Trump’s warnings of potential Democratic rigging in 2024 mirror his previous false claims about the 2020 election, which he unsuccessfully attempted to overturn. Read Article

National: Former U.S. election agency head Steven Frid got unauthorized pay increase | Jen Fifield/Votebeat

An investigation conducted by another agency’s inspector general revealed that Steven Frid, the former executive director of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC), received a significant pay raise without the knowledge of EAC commissioners. The report also found that Frid expensed Harvard University courses without approval and failed to properly disclose personal leave. EAC commissioners unanimously voted to terminate Frid’s employment in December after learning of the investigation, marking the agency’s third executive director in as many years. The investigation detailed Frid’s actions, including obtaining an annual pay raise of $31,450 without approval, expensing leadership training courses at Harvard University without supervisor approval, and failing to report 96 hours of leave on his time-and-attendance records. Read Article

National: States Race To Counter AI Fakes Before the 2024 Election | Vera Bergengruen/Time

State officials across the U.S., prompted by concerns over the potential impact of AI-generated disinformation and deepfakes on the upcoming elections, have taken proactive measures to address the issue. Led by New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver’s realization of the urgency at a conference, states are enacting laws requiring disclosure of AI use in political campaigns and criminalizing the intentional dissemination of misleading AI-generated content. These efforts, part of a broader trend, aim to balance First Amendment rights with safeguarding elections from malicious manipulation. Read Article

Arizona: US Supreme Court rejects Kari Lake, Mark Finchem in machine voting lawsuit, ending legal challenge | Stacey Barchenger/Arizona Republic

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday rejected an appeal brought by Arizona Republicans Kari Lake and Mark Finchem, bringing finality to the duo’s legal effort challenging the use of electronic voting machines two years to the day after it began. Lake, a candidate for U.S. Senate, and Finchem, a candidate for state Senate, asked the nation’s top court to hear their case in mid-March. The court declined to consider it, making that official with an order on Monday that does not include details of the court’s decision. Legal experts had predicted the court would not exercise its discretion to add the case to its docket, citing well-established legal precedent and the court’s low acceptance rate. Read Article

Arizona: Inside the private company Maricopa County depends on to power through the last-minute ballot slog | Jen Fifield/Votebeat

After the polls close in Arizona’s presidential preference election, ballots arrive at Runbeck Election Services for processing, crucial in Maricopa County, the largest swing county in the U.S. These ballots, dropped off on Election Day, are among the last to be counted, as they require verification of voter signatures. Runbeck’s high-speed machines scan envelopes, facilitating the process. As election integrity comes under scrutiny, Maricopa County and Runbeck collaborate to expedite counting while ensuring transparency, with plans for a new election center. Questions arise about outsourcing the scanning process, but logistical challenges and the need for specialized expertise complicate efforts to bring the process in-house. Read Article

Connecticut towns want more money for early voting. Lawmakers say no way | John Moritz/CT Insider

Amid budgetary constraints at the State Capitol, local officials have been cautioned not to anticipate additional assistance for the ongoing implementation of early voting during the upcoming presidential election this fall. House Speaker Matt Ritter emphasized that while municipal aid might see an increase in funding, none of it would be designated for early voting support. With Connecticut becoming the 46th state to introduce in-person early voting during this year’s presidential primary, the cost burden on municipalities has been significant, with estimates ranging from $4,000 to $70,000 per town. Read Article

Georgia election officials and police prepare for voting dangers | Mark Niesse/The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Law enforcement and election officials are gearing up for potential threats to election security and workers in Georgia ahead of the upcoming elections. With concerns over escalating tensions and past incidents of threats, officials are conducting training sessions to prepare for worst-case scenarios, including dealing with disgruntled voters, aggressive poll watchers, and potential evacuation situations. Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger emphasizes the importance of ensuring safe and secure elections, acknowledging the contentious and polarized climate. Read Article

Idaho: Ada County Elections Office unveils online Ballot Verifier tool | Clark Corbin/Idaho Capital Sun

Ada County Elections officials have introduced a groundbreaking online Ballot Verifier tool, aiming to enhance transparency in elections. The tool allows the public to access scanned ballot images and corresponding cast vote records for all Ada County elections from 2022 onwards, without revealing voters’ personal details. By providing easy verification of tabulated ballots and vote records, officials hope to bolster trust in the election process. Previously, accessing such data required a public records request, but the new tool proactively makes it available online. Developed by a software company called Civera, the tool cost $40,000 for development and entails ongoing licensing fees. Read Article

Michigan:Trump and multiple Republicans named ‘unindicted co-conspirators’ in fake electors case | Craig Mauger/The Detroit News

Testimony from an investigator for Attorney General Dana Nessel’s office revealed that former President Donald Trump, along with his aides Mark Meadows and Rudy Giuliani, are considered unindicted co-conspirators in Michigan’s false elector case. This came to light during preliminary examinations where Nessel’s office is pursuing felony charges against 16 Republican activists who signed a certificate falsely claiming Trump won Michigan’s 2020 election. The effort, also mirrored in Arizona, aimed to bolster claims of election fraud. While defense lawyers argue their clients were unaware of the implications of signing the certificate, prosecutors maintain it was part of a larger multi-state criminal conspiracy linked to Trump’s campaign. Read Article

Ohio Supreme Court to hear open meetings lawsuit centered on Stark County voting machines | Robert Wang/Canton Repository

The Ohio Supreme Court is set to hear arguments regarding whether the Stark County Board of Elections violated the state’s Open Meetings Act by privately deliberating the purchase of Dominion voting machines. Look Ahead America, the plaintiff in the lawsuit, argues that such closed-door meetings hinder the public’s right to know about officials’ decision-making processes. However, even if Look Ahead America wins, it won’t reverse Stark County’s acquisition and use of 1,450 Dominion Voting Machines ICX touch-screen machines, as the funding and contract for the purchase were authorized by the Stark County commissioners. Read Article

Pennsylvania’s redesigned mail ballot envelopes trip up many voters who left date incomplete | Carter Walker/Votebeat

A design change to Pennsylvania’s mail ballot return envelope aimed at reducing errors has led to rejected ballots in the primary, as voters fail to fill in the last two digits of the year despite the state’s new advice to count them. While the Department of State advised counties to accept these ballots, some reject them, citing discrepancies with existing court orders and concerns over the validity of the advice. Read Article

Texas: In Brazos County, elections officials shoulder new costs and burdens to appease skeptics | Natalia Contreras/The Texas Tribune

In Brazos County, concerns over election integrity have surfaced, fueled by suspicions and demands from residents advocating for hand-counted ballots. Despite county leaders and election officials assuring the public of the accuracy of elections, calls for ditching voting equipment persist, echoing claims of fraud in the 2020 election. In response to demands, the county plans to introduce sequentially numbered ballots, a move projected to cost $14,000 for the November election. However, experts caution that such measures may not enhance security and could compromise ballot secrecy. Read Article

Wisconsin election observers may have to keep their distance | Government | Erin McGroarty/The Cap Times

The Wisconsin Elections Commission is reviewing proposed rules regarding election observers, a critical issue given the state’s potential role in the upcoming presidential election. Republican lawmakers previously sought to grant observers closer access to polling proceedings, but Governor Tony Evers vetoed the bill due to concerns about potential intimidation of election workers. The commission’s draft rules maintain the current distance regulations, prompting some criticism from Republicans and residents who argue that observers need to be closer to effectively monitor for fraud. However, others, like Eileen Newcomer from the League of Women Voters, support the draft rules, emphasizing the need to balance transparency with ensuring voters’ rights without intimidation. Read Article

National: Election Data Is Vital to Voting Rights. So Why Is It So Hard to Track Down? | Dara Gold/Bolts

Voting rights lawyers like Michael Pernick from the NAACP Legal Defense Fund face significant hurdles due to the lack of a centralized database of precinct-level election returns in New York, making it difficult to analyze potential racial discrimination in local election rules. This absence forces practitioners to painstakingly collect data town by town, often facing resistance from local offices, hindering investigations and potentially impeding the enforcement of voting rights laws. While some states like Minnesota provide comprehensive precinct-level data, others present significant challenges, prompting initiatives like OpenElections and the MIT Election Lab to compile and standardize such information. Read Article

National: Push to hand-count ballots ramps up as election nears, fueled by outside aid | Rachel Leingang/Votebeat

Amidst claims of stolen elections and allegations of voting machine rigging, grassroots activists like Mark Cook are advocating for hand-counting ballots across the country, echoing sentiments from figures like Mike Lindell. Despite challenges and resistance from election experts, this push has gained traction in some rural and conservative-leaning areas, with counties in Missouri, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Wisconsin opting for hand counts in either midterm or presidential primary elections. However, the process has proven to be time-consuming, costly, and prone to errors, with concerns raised about its impact on election accuracy and trust. Read Article

National: Noncitizen voting isn’t an issue in federal elections, regardless of conspiracy theories. Here’s why | Nicholas Riccardsi/Associated Press

Former President Donald Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson are reigniting claims about noncitizen voting in federal elections, with Johnson introducing a bill aimed at preventing noncitizens from voting. However, these claims have been debunked in the past, with no evidence of widespread noncitizen voting. Trump’s previous commission on the matter disbanded without identifying any cases of noncitizen voting, and various states’ examinations of their voter rolls have found very few instances. Despite this, Johnson plans to introduce legislation requiring proof of citizenship for voter registration, a move criticized for potentially disenfranchising eligible voters and risking erroneous exclusions. Read Article

National: Smartmatic settles lawsuit against One America News Network | Stephen Battaglio/Los Angeles Times

Smartmatic has settled its lawsuit against One America News Network (OAN), a right-wing cable channel based in San Diego, over false allegations of voter fraud during the 2020 presidential election, although details of the settlement remain undisclosed. The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, accused OAN of damaging Smartmatic’s business with misleading statements following the election. Smartmatic has also pursued legal action against other conservative outlets, including Fox News and Newsmax, over similar claims, with a $2.7-billion defamation suit against Fox News still pending. Read Article

National: AI-created election disinformation is deceiving the world | Ali Swenson and Kelvin Chan/Associated Press

Artificial intelligence is supercharging the threat of election disinformation worldwide, making it easy for anyone with a smartphone and a devious imagination to create fake – but convincing – content aimed at fooling voters. It marks a quantum leap from a few years ago, when creating phony photos, videos or audio clips required teams of people with time, technical skill and money. Now, using free and low-cost generative artificial intelligence services from companies like Google and OpenAI, anyone can create high-quality “deepfakes” with just a simple text prompt. Resad Article

National: After a sleepy primary season, Russia enters 2024 U.S. election fray | Derek B. Johnson/CyberScoop

Russian influence operations targeting the 2024 U.S. elections have surged in the past 45 days, primarily using Telegram to distribute propaganda aimed at influencing debate over Ukraine policy, as per Microsoft’s Threat Analysis Center. This late uptick, compared to previous election cycles, is attributed to a lack of competitive presidential primaries. Microsoft has identified multiple Russian-associated groups spreading content across languages to degrade support for Ukraine, portraying President Zelenskyy negatively and diminishing Western governments’ willingness to fund the war cause. These groups utilize Telegram channels as a distribution hub, posting content later picked up by seemingly unrelated news outlets. Read Article

Arizona: A Cochise County official’s vote for hand-counting ballots came at a cost. Will anyone help her pay it? | Jen Fifield/Votebeat