The Minnesota Republican Party and the Republican National Committee are calling for an investigation after a noncitizen reported receiving a primary ballot in the mail despite not registering to vote. This incident has raised concerns about voter security in Minnesota, particularly after the state implemented a law allowing undocumented immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses.
Walter Ringfield Jr., a temporary election worker in Arizona, was arrested for stealing a security fob from the Maricopa County Tabulation and Election Center. Ringfield also faces charges related to a theft from the Arizona State Senate Building. He has been seen in photos with several prominent Democratic politicians, raising questions about his motivations and the security of election systems.
A temporary election worker in Maricopa County, Arizona, was arrested for allegedly stealing a security key from a ballot tabulation center. This incident has raised concerns about the vetting process for election staff, as the suspect was previously arrested for theft from a grocery store and was in a felony diversion program. Authorities are investigating whether the theft was politically motivated.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has joined Elon Musk in expressing concerns over the security of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in India, calling them a ‘black box’ and raising questions about transparency in the electoral process. Gandhi’s statement came in response to Musk’s tweet advocating for the elimination of EVMs due to potential hacking risks. The controversy has sparked debate on the reliability of EVMs and the need for greater transparency in Indian elections.
Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has voiced his support for the elimination of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in the United States. Musk’s comments came in response to allegations of voting irregularities related to EVMs in Puerto Rico’s primary elections. He emphasized the potential risks of hacking and the need for a paper trail to ensure the accuracy of election results. Musk’s remarks have garnered significant attention on social media, with many users expressing agreement and support for his views.
Voters in three rural South Dakota counties will decide on June 2nd whether to return to counting ballots by hand, following unfounded conspiracy theories about the 2020 presidential election. The counties, with fewer than 6,000 residents each, could become the first in the U.S. to require manual ballot counts. Supporters of the change believe it will enhance security and transparency, but opponents cite concerns over accuracy, cost, and time constraints.
Ahead of the U.S. presidential election, Google is bringing passkey support to its Advanced Protection Program (APP), a crucial security feature for those at high risk of targeted attacks. Passkeys offer a more secure alternative to traditional passwords, making it harder for malicious actors to remotely access accounts. In addition, Google is expanding its Cross-Account Protection program to safeguard users against cyberattacks by sharing security notifications across connected third-party apps.
As the nation gears up for another highly charged presidential election, the aftermath of false claims about the 2020 loss has left thousands of local government workers facing threats while overseeing the indispensable infrastructure of the country’s democracy. The constant threats and harassment have contributed to an exodus of election officials, highlighting the need for collaboration between local election workers and law enforcement to counter these threats effectively.
In an effort to curb perceived Democratic advantages, over 27 states have banned or restricted the use of private donations to fund local election offices, equipment, and poll workers. Critics argue that this measure undermines the independence and security of elections, while advocates maintain that it prevents undue influence from partisan groups.
Despite the allocation of millions of dollars in federal grants for election security, a recent investigation by NPR has revealed that a significant portion of the funds were either misspent or not effectively utilized. The grants were intended to enhance voting infrastructure, including keycard access, bulletproof glass, and cybersecurity risk assessments. However, in many cases, the money was directed towards duplicative services or exercises that did not directly benefit election security. Election officials expressed disappointment that the allocated funds did not address their most urgent needs. The haphazard distribution of the grants highlights the challenges faced by local election officials due to inconsistent federal funding and the need for a more comprehensive approach to ensuring the security and integrity of the voting process.
