In his March 25 executive order rewinding voting rights a century, the shah of maga alleged “dilution by illegal voting, discrimination, fraud, and other forms of malfeasance and error.” The order requires that all votes be counted by the end of Election Day. It also requires proof of citizenship to vote in federal elections.
The order relies on a lie: that fraud is corrupting American elections. Let’s not look far and take Flagler County’s recent elections to test the claim.
We’ve had 13 federal elections in Flagler County since 2016– presidential preferences, primaries and general. In that span, and not including this week’s special election, exactly 515,221 ballots have been cast in those races.
In those eight years, the supervisor’s office has had to remove five–five–voters from the rolls for citizenship ineligibility, Supervisor Kaiti Lenhart wrote me, or 0.3 voter per election. Notably, those registered voters were purged from the rolls; whether they had actually cast ballots is unclear.
Another 22 were denied registration when they filled out the form and supervisor staff vetted them, so they never made it into the books, and 27 didn’t check the citizenship box, so they, too, never got registered.
That’s it.
Most if not all of those can be chalked up to unawareness, not fraud. The other day I filled out a petition to legalize pot. I made two mistakes, and I’m at least semi-literate. It’s a wonder so few voter registrations have that problem, and when they do, our crack supervisor staff is there to take care of it.
That’s before we get into the canvassing board process, its own check on improper ballots. Anyone vaguely familiar with last year’s recount of the close Palm Coast City Council and Flagler County Commission races, including the candidates who lost, will tell you how amazed–how moved–they were by the integrity of the process and the canvassing board’s admirable impartiality. These board members’ aim, so at odds with the shah’s, is to make sure that every legitimate vote counts. After all that, Lenhart’s system triumphed above all, with its usual pinpoint accuracy. This was democracy at its best.
Flagler County is not the exception. It’s the rule. When Forida’s governor goonishly sicked his state police on a statewide hunt for illegal voters last year the best he could come up with were a couple of dozen schmucks who were unaware of their mistakes. They were mostly released felons who should have had their rights restored but for Florida’s continuing suppression of their votes. The governor in his kangaroo press releases portrayed them as dangerous enemies of the state before most of the charges were dropped.
Florida is not the exception, either. We have a case study of one of the supposed worst states for alleged voter fraud: Arizona. Even the Trump-friendly Cyber Ninja, that moronically motivated Florida company that conducted the audit of the 2020 vote concluded there was no fraud, while almost all its remaining claims were discredited. The company went out of business.
But as a nation of grand canyons between our exceptional ideals (all created equal, justice and liberty for all, to serve and protect, etc.) and our noxious realities (among the most unequal and the least free societies in the West, George Floyd, etc.), it’s of a piece that our record on voting rights is a continuing march against disenfranchisement. Edmund Pettus Bridge is still a bridge too far.
There are periods of great gains, like Reconstruction, Women’s suffrage and the lowering of the voting age, and periods of retreat, like Jim Crow, the gerrymandering of majority-minority districts, the post-Citizens United era of elections for sale, and voter suppression disguised as protection against voter fraud.
Lies, especially when grafted onto rampant bigotry against migrants, make suppression laws the red meat of reactionary states. It works. Despite the marginally higher turnout of the last two national elections, well over a third of Americans don’t vote. Media mask the apathy by almost always reporting turnout based on registered rather than eligible voters, creating another falsehood.
For example, 94 percent of registered voters cast ballots in the 2020 election. But only 66 percent of eligible voters did. It was still the best showing of the century, aided by a surge in mail-in voting. Then came red states’ war on drop-boxes and other methods that made mail-in voting easy. Turnout last year dropped to 64 percent. Some 90 million didn’t vote, 10 million more than in 2020. You can argue that the choices were not inspiring. Or stomach-turning. But it was no different in 2020.
For all that voters who want to vote will vote whatever the obstacles. But the election-denying shah’s order may make even that difficult for some, while invalidating millions of votes postmarked by Election Day, but not counted by then.
It’s true that nothing stops vote-counting from being as efficient as in Flagler County or the rest of Florida. But it took a scandal and the stolen election of 2000 to get us here. Many states haven’t had their hanging chad moment. Maybe the order will spur them to modernize. Meanwhile, it should not take vote-rigging and suppression to get us there.
The proof of citizenship provision is more pernicious. It requires voter registrations to be accompanied by proof of citizenship like a passport, or a government-issued ID card that indicates citizenship status. Only 48 percent of Americans have passports. That includes children. So the eligible-voter ratio is lower. Most driver’s licenses and even military ID cards don’t show citizenship status. Voters would have to acquire either a passport (cost: $165, and $135 to renew) or a specialized ID.
It is disenfranchisement on a mass scale, and it is entirely unnecessary. There is no fraud beyond a statistically meaningless level. The system is working. The fraud is the claim of fraud. But like all things democratic, Trump–the felon, the fabricator, the supreme fraud–wants to wreck it, as he has so much else.
Pierre Tristam is the editor of FlaglerLive. A version of this piece airs on WNZF.
Sue says
What’s the problem?? When I grew up there was 1 day to vote and counted.we shouldn’t have different rules for states letting it go on.That’s when fraud happens. If you want to vote you will make the effort!
Endless dark money says
The only frauds are the republicons. They cry falsely that there is fraud only if they loose after their restrictions on voting, gerrymandering, and of course dark money from unknown sources that surely wasn’t taxed, funding their campaigns. The media seems mainly complicit in the death of America and the birth of murikkka. You all feeling liberated yet hahahaha or more like Nazis2.0 stole your government to enrich themselves? I mean how much could make if you knew you were going to cause a global depression on a certain day? He more than doubled his wealth in 60 days how many of you all can say the same ? Haha
Mike P says
Sue hits the issue perfectly. There were 2 cases of voter fraud in 2024, that’s 2 too many! The numbers of voter fraud highly depend on what states care about it and actively pursue, investigate and prosecute the offenders. How many Blue states care? How many Blue states look the other way? Illegal aliens voting is a real concern, not a conspiracy theory. States like Ohio, Massachusetts, and Virginia, among others, have found illegal immigrants on the voter rolls, with many voting in major elections.
JC says
Sue and Mike P: You two live in FL and still complain about voting rules on a Friday night.
Skibum says
Sue, that would be wonderful if it was YOU, Sue, who made the election rules for all 50 states. But you don’t, and neither does the federal government because each state has the lawful authority to handle their state’s elections and legislate the laws that govern those elections within the federal guidelines that have been established for all 50 of the United States. It is one of the many “state’s rights”. So called “red” states like Arizona have shown time and again that they can hold verifiable, legitimate elections while offering more than the old fashioned 1-day voting because society has changed over the years, and so has technology that allows greater flexibility AND greater security to prevent ballot tampering and other forms of would be fraud. There are even states, including “red” ones, that have gone to all mail-in voting, NO in-person voting at all! And still extremely small percentage of any fraudulent voting simply because of the security measures that the states have put in place to ensure that eligible voters are able to cast their one and only vote, and that it will count. The larger issue is that despite all of the evidence that is constantly made public over and over and over again that dispels any notion of widespread fraud in our elections, those who have political agendas want to make it harder for all of us citizens to vote. They keep bringing up this fairytale of “election fraud” because too many people believe that crapola. It works! Get the mush brained idiots to believe the nonsense by spouting it repeatedly, and more and more mush brains buy into it… when all the people would have had to do is look at the facts and realize they are being LIED to! Sue… YOU have been LIED to! Wake up and smell the coffee, girl! Don’t fall for it, don’t be a mush brain, disavow the maga! The sky really, truly is BLUE, no kidding!
jt says
There is no real voter fraud or election fraud! I have worked in an Iowa county in elections. The training is rigorous and on going. The technology is constantly getting updated and revamped. The processes to insure that voters who move away, are deceased, etc. are removed from the roles is tirelessly tackled by election employees. There are mistakes, however. Just as we are seeing in our current government officials with firing staff that they need to rehire, stopping programs that need to be reinstated, and using media for messaging that shouldn’t have been used. That being said, the amount of mistakes are MINISCUAL to someone losing or winning an election. That’s right— the idea that voting fraud had made people win or lose just isn’t true. 99.9% of your voting officials do not really care who wins, they would just like the elections to close with the winner having large margins of success, because the laws that dictate what happens in a close election with recount, etc., are incredibly taxing. I have never met a person running for office that didn’t claim they would stop voter fraud, but have never truly seen voter fraud happen due to the laws and diligence of election workers (not to mention how almost everything outside of election day ballot casting is overseen by a bipartisan team). I’m always at a loss as to why election officials aren’t more vocal, except that they are really busy keeping the intricacies of laws in effect and insuring all is fair. From the number of feet a sign can be to a polling place, to no pressure in a polling place, to a fair equitable polling place location, to the exact verbiage on the ballot, to ensuring early polling places are open and staffed, to ensuring EVERYONE who is eligible to vote gets every opportunity to vote, to updating websites, making sure registrations are current and valid, to…NEED I KEEP GOING? It is a full time job that can be part time for an official depending on the State, etc. NO ONE in this office wants to hit the newspapers for being lax, corrupt, incompetent, etc. Also, no State wants an election official to hit the newspapers for being lax, corrupt, etc. It is amazing how citizens with no real knowledge off the rules and regulations in every state as to voting and elections are gullible enough to believe anyone when they cry wolf. Believe in this part of your State laws!!!!!!
Jake from state farm says
If the left would simply acknowledge that requiring voters to show a driver’s license—just as we do here in the Free State of Florida—many of the complaints and controversies surrounding voter ID laws would vanish. The constant objections, often based on misinformation or political maneuvering, would cease, and the focus could shift to more pressing issues. Voter ID laws, after all, are a reasonable and necessary safeguard to ensure the integrity of the democratic process.
Requiring voters to present identification is a common-sense measure to prevent voter impersonation and fraud. In an election, it is critical that only eligible, legally registered citizens are casting ballots. Without proper verification, it becomes possible for ineligible individuals to manipulate the system, undermining the fairness and credibility of elections. By confirming a voter’s identity before they cast their ballot, voter ID laws help prevent these risks and protect the sanctity of the election process. This simple measure not only enhances the security of our elections but also reinforces public confidence in the outcomes, ensuring that the results reflect the true will of the people.
Some argue that voter ID requirements are disenfranchising, but that is simply not the case. There are numerous forms of identification available that are easily accessible to the vast majority of citizens. In addition to the common driver’s license, many states issue state IDs, and utility bills or bank statements can often serve as valid proof of identity. For those who may not have one of these documents, most states have taken proactive steps to ensure that citizens can obtain an ID at minimal or no cost. These efforts are designed to ensure that the process is inclusive, not exclusive, ensuring that the law does not unfairly burden marginalized or disadvantaged groups.
Voter ID laws are also consistent with the practices of many other democratic nations around the world. In fact, requiring identification to vote is the standard in many other countries, where it is viewed as a necessary step to preserve the integrity of elections. By implementing similar standards in the United States, we would align ourselves with international norms, further protecting our democracy from the threats of fraud and errors.
Ultimately, the introduction of voter ID laws reduces the possibility of mistakes or fraudulent votes, ensuring elections are fair and transparent. With proper safeguards in place, every eligible voter can be assured that their vote counts and that the election results reflect the true desires of the population. This is not about partisan politics; it’s about safeguarding the democratic process and ensuring that our elections remain a reflection of the legitimate will of the people. So, if those opposed to voter ID would simply recognize the commonsense logic behind it, we could move forward and focus on improving our system in more constructive ways.
BillR says
The writer here is so short sighted! Elections here have vigorous laws and inspection policies that PREVENT FRAUD! That’s why our record and quick reporting system is near perfect! Not the case in other states where Ive seen fraud first hand! Bravo to our Election Registration and voting Team!
D. Francis says
Thank you for pointing out what an incredibly stellar gem we have in Kaiti Lenhart as our Supervisor. She has her non-partisan blinders on at all times and, having personally worked with her a few years ago, I can attest that she is a stickler for accuracy and precision. If the whole country could clone her ethics and procedures we’d all be better off! Hats off, Kaiti!
Lil bird says
It’s “only” 5 votes. Speaking statistically absolutely there’s a cost/balance analysis any business must consider. On a personal level, if I tell my kids don’t worry there’s only “X” percent of dog poo in your dinner… Yuck! 5 illegal votes is 5 problems that need to be addressed.
On a local level a mere few months ago Ray Stevens won a commissioners seat. He beat his opponent by just a few votes. What is the power of ONE vote? Read more: https://www.butlercountypa.gov/203/Why-Your-Vote-Is-Important
Any level of illegal activity IS fraud. What is our tolerance and risk/benefit are different questions & different conversations still waiting to be had.
Admission, however, is the first step.
Jason says
Claiming we don’t need election integrity laws because not “enough” fraud has been found to justify is an interesting position to take. I’m just curious if that policy position only applies to election integrity or whether the author would apply this to ALL laws, and what threshold the author believes would make laws actually beneficial to enact.
I could be showing my own bias, but it seems to make sense to me that not wanting to break a law and end up in jail or prison is a deterrent for most people. If there is no law against an action then it would seem to me that the state is in some way endorsing an action. It then logically follows that laws generally lay a foundation for a social contract that prevent crimes and punish those that violate them.
According to https://dos.fl.gov/elections/data-statistics/elections-data/voter-turnout/ the turnout in 2024 was the highest on record since 1992 and in Florida you have to show ID to vote. Going back to the 1950’s the Presidential election cycles have averaged 70% or higher turnout. So I fail to see how election integrity laws are hurting actual citizens whom have the constitutional right to vote.
I wish the individuals that decry almost all election integrity laws would also equally apply that same vigor to repealing laws restricting the second amendment. How many occurrences of the phrase “shall not be infringed” are made in the constitution and what rights is it made for? Does the first amendment only apply to the printing press or quill pen and paper?
Pierre Tristam says
I am not arguing against election integrity laws. To the contrary. That’s what I describe in this article, as with the canvassing board process etc. I am arguing against voter-suppression frauds, specifically the shah’s recent order, for the stated reasons. The commenter seems to have missed those points by putting words in my sentences with absurd reductionism, as if I were opposed to election integrity.
Pierre Tristam says
If you have seen it firsthand then surely you reported it to authorities and your evidence was validated, right? Of course not. Unless you have that evidence in hand and can show it here, spare us the Giulianiesque bullshit.
Pierre Tristam says
Where in the article is there any opposition to showing one’s driver’s license or similar ids? The piece is against the shah’s executive order. Again: don’t put words in my sentences,or deceptively deflect from the argument.
Janet Sullivan says
They know there is no fraud. They know this is not a real thing. Their tactics are about making people scared to go to the polling places or making it more difficult to vote– for everyone but white males, that is. Married women, people of color….look out! I have to believe …I just HAVE to believe … That they will get their comeuppance in time for our country and her people to be saved. God Bless America. Please, God, Bless America. Please.
Pat Stote says
Great article Tristan! There is NO real fraud.
The readers who commented on your article trying to disprove it, either didn’t read it correctly or truly want to believe that election fraud is real.
Donald Trump came down the escalator saying “elections are rigged”. The MAGA crowd lives by that every day. They are only convinced there is no fraud when their side wins.
God bless everyone who works on elections from the Supervisor of Elections all the way down.
BillC says
@ Lil bird Is dog pooh in your dinner a common occurrence?
Jason says
So the issue is that having to have an ID is somehow disenfranchising people? That too is intriguing and is a familiar trope that legacy media has been pushing for several years now.
Unless you were teleported here from another planet there is almost no chance someone actually living in this country legally doesn’t have an ID. You cannot board a plane without one, you cannot enter this country legally without one, you cannot open a bank account without one, you cannot obtain a job without one (e-verify), you cannot even enter our local Advent ER without showing an ID. So this trope that minorities don’t have ID is one of the most ignorant and actually racist ideas that get passed around by the left and the legacy media.
Let’s make a deal though, I’ll support repealing requiring an ID for voting if you’ll support me in calling for a repeal of ID laws , background checks, for the second amendment and for abolishing taxes on second amendment protected items(a form of poll tax to access my rights).
Sound like a deal? Or are we only concerned about alleged disenfranchisement when it comes to one specific right?
Mark James says
One vote cast that is fraud is one too many.
Laurel says
To me, the interesting thing is that when Trump lost, people screamed election voter fraud! When Trump won, everyone clammed up! No complaints of voter fraud.
So, if the fraud is all gone, as suggested by the lack of complaints, why the need to suppress more, in this ultra red state?
Thank you Pierre for your research, and thank you (Republican) Kaiti Lenhart for providing the data, and keeping up with your diligence!
Skibum says
Oh, Jake, there you go trying to pull the wool over people’s eyes again. Trying to make people believe the falsehood that unvetted and illegitimate people are somehow snapping up other people’s ballots and voting in their place. But you cannot provide ANY verifiable, quantative, documented evidence of it happening. Did you forget, are are you purposely evading the truth that when someone, anyone, registers to vote here in FL as in all of the other 49 states, they must provide PROOF of identity so state officials can say yes, this photo ID matches you, you are verified and now eligible to vote in this state? Why is it necessary that you and the maga gop fraudsters, to include the actual felon in charge of our federal government who still denies the 2020 election that he lost, why do you think voters should have to provide picture ID twice just to vote once? Why have those same people who are in D.C. as well as Tallahassee right now still trying to get rid of mail-in voting? Simply because it doesn’t help THEM, not because of any evidence of fraud! You want those voters on election day to bring their ID, but ONLY the ID that the GOP likes and they refuse to accept other legitimate ID verification from official sources they don’t like, denying legitimate voters the right to cast their vote. That’s why I have for many years continued to tout the benefits of getting your election ballot delivered to you in the mail… and then after completing it, turning it in – IN PERSON to the local election office to ensure MY vote will count. I don’t have to go through the nonsense of showing any photo ID a second time, or having to wait in long lines a a poling place, or put up with candidates or political idiots flailing political signs around or trying to get my attention to vote for their candidate. No, I do it in the privacy of my home, turn it in, and it is done quickly and easily. And yet, the maga and conservative repubs continue to bash this process and have tried with varying success in different states to prohibit mail-in ballots, even for those who are disabled, elderly, etc. and have a difficult time getting to a poling place, only because the mail-in ballot process is perceived to be a disadvantage to repubs, NOT because of fraud. That is their true reason why they are against it!!!
Canary says
Jake fails to understand that no, the proof of identity thing for voting in Florida is not as simple as a bank statement or utility bill. State law requires that it be a photo ID that is provided. And if that photo ID doesn’t also have your signature on it…you also need to provide a second form of ID that has the signature. The only form of IDs on the state’s acceptable list that would be available to all eligible voters would be a state ID or passport, but getting those requires having copies of documents like birth certificates that not everyone has possession of. And getting possession of document copies when you don’t have photo ID is nearly impossible because you have to verify your identity to get the copies. It’s a catch-22.
Shark says
It doesn’t take much for fox – fake putin entertainment to brainwash the maga supporters. The only elections rigged in my lifetime were both of dementia dons !!!!
Judith G. Michaud says
My opinion is the only fraud that took place was in the 6 swing states! No way did the Felon win all 6! Voting machine tampering was very easy with Musk’s geek team! Harris lost by less than 2%, so only fixing about 2 votes in very machine would do it! The Felon boasted how he doesn’t need to worry about the polls, he has all the votes he need! Only one way he could have known that! Democrats gave the win to him way too easy! They should have investigated! Sad day for America!
Pierre Tristam says
There’s the dishonesty of the ideological right, right there. The commenter “Jason” again repeats the falsehood that “the issue is that having to have an ID is somehow disenfranchising…,” ignoring the blue-in-the-face repetitions in this very thread and the article above that the article nowhere makes the argument against IDs, but against the shah’s executive order requiring proof of citizenship. But that’s how the sneaky, unprincipled, intellectually dishonest ideologues corrupt an argument so they can reassert their falsehoods, their frauds, based on premises of their own venality. That’s exactly how the bogus narrative of voting irregularities works. Keep repeating it, ignore all the evidence, even when you’re corrected. Repulsive. But “Jason” isn’t fooling anyone. Not here. This isn’t your little foxy fuckhouse of fabrications. (Vulgar, to be sure, but not nearly as obscene as what we face here.)
Foresee says
Read the headline again: “In Flagler, Voters Cast Half a Million Ballots in 8 years; 5 Were Non-Citizens. Where’s the ‘Fraud’?”
Do the math- that’s a fraud occurrence of 0.00001% over 8 years. Raising alarms over voter fraud is just another disingenuous diversionary MAGA wedge issue without substance to distract from the real danger:
J.P. Morgan now predicts a 60% chance of a recession occurring in the U.S. in 2025, largely due to the impact of President Trump’s tariffs, which are expected to raise inflation and reduce consumer spending. The recession is anticipated to push the unemployment rate up to 5.3% as economic conditions worsen.
That’s the real threat coming at your well being.
Tony Mack says
There should be no doubt that these Musk’s computer gangsters are the ones who manipulated the voting tabulations to give Trump his “must win” totals in the seven close call states. Mark these words — there will be no free and fair elections in 2026. Having taken control of all aspects of the government, the Heritage Foundation and the billionaires supporting Trump will not risk losing their power through elections.
Congress has been neutered, the courts acquiesce to Trump and Musk controls the voting machines. The media has failed the American people and now bends the knee reporting only Republican propaganda.
Think Germany in the Thirties. End of story… end of democracy.
Maybe we can convince Mark Cuban to offer a bounty to any of Musk’s computer gangsters to show the proof Trump and the Heritage Foundation rigged the vote tabulations to keep Trump out of jail. C’mon, one of you can be a whistleblower for $5,000,000.
Jake from state farm says
Sorry, Canary, but I completely understand what’s required to vote in the free state of Florida. Perhaps that helps explain Pierri’s exhaustive investigation into fraudulent voting in Flagler County. You might want to go back and reread what I posted because it seems like you missed the point. I understand that it can be difficult to comprehend, especially for those who bought into the “Joe is at his finest” narrative for four years. Or maybe you’re one of the people who recognized Biden’s cognitive decline but still chose to play along with the media and the administration in trying to cover it up? Either way, the voting requirements in Florida are clear, but there are real barriers that need addressing to ensure every eligible voter can participate. Let’s keep the focus on the facts.
Jason says
Pierre, the second to last paragraph explicitly goes into detail about passports and IDs along the associated costs. It doesn’t take a huge leap for an educated reader to link that with the common trope that minorities cannot obtain ID’s because of the cost or other nonsensical reasons while completely ignoring all evidence to the contrary that it is almost impossible to survive as an adult without an ID.
Lets put down the thesaurus and be intellectually honest about the words you actually wrote and what they actually imply to the audience. If I’m misinterpreting your argument then its entirely possible I’m not the only one and a reasonable response by someone actively seeking support for their argument isn’t typically to attack the reader. Maybe you aren’t actually seeking to garner support? I might disagree with you but I believe that you believe in what you write. However, when you lash out at people that disagree with you or misinterpret you it just tells me that you aren’t interested in dialog unless it bolsters your own ideals. I doubt you interact this way with people face to face because you would be ostracized.
Now, I will say that if the state is forcing an ID requirement to vote that a Voter ID or equivalent should be provided free of charge. That is entirely reasonable and I’d vote for that proposal if it were on a ballot.
Ed Danko, former Vice-Mayor, PC says
The problem is not Flagler, the problem is PA, AZ, GA, and other states where liberal fraud is rampant. Mail ballots if you are overseas in the military, or can prove you are out of state on Election Day, or you are physically incapable of in-person voting. All voters required to present valid ID’s and Election Day should be ONE day only. Hopefully President Trump will make this happen.
Pierre Tristam says
I’ll be first to concede that I write like shit, so any lack of clarity is my doing: my thesauricaurus prose can be insufferable. I also like Jason’s last paragraph suggestion, at least as common-ground pragmatism, even if I maintain that it’s unnecessary in light of a more than functional. admirable and fair current system.
Pierre Tristam says
Again Ed, show us proof of fraud beyond the exception that proves the rule, even in those states. Dinesh D’Souza dingbattery doesn’t count.
Jason says
Ed, as a conservative myself, I don’t believe you are advancing the conversation when you make these claims without evidence. Irregularities aren’t the same as fraud. I want fair and secure elections but I don’t believe that fear mongering is going to advance that goal.
I’d really like to see a voting system that used Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) to create a chain of trust in the ballets and the votes and use a blockchain ledger that records all transactions and would make it almost impossible to commit certain types of fraud. If you browse the internet then you are already using this system to secure your banking, e-commerce, traffic using SSL/TLS certificates. Those familiar with the Federal Government would recognize this as the Common Access Card (CAC) where your ID has a chip in it (just like a modern debit/credit card) that contains a unique certificate for the ID card holder. These certificates are used to digitally sign documents, send encrypted emails, etc…
In this system you insert your ID into the voting machine, type your pin, make your selections, digitally sign your ballet, then submit it. That record would be secure, ensure only a single ballet could be cast, a transaction added to the blockchain for public auditing, and would also enable you to cast your vote from a website at home if desired. We should really be innovating in this space using technology that has been the backbone of the internet and e-commerce for the last 30 years.
Deborah Coffey says
Voter fraud is minuscule. Republican election fraud, on the other hand, is enormous. Google all those Republicans in Florida alone that got caught…the woman that registered lots of Democrats and then threw their registrations in the dumpster…the 4 people that live in the Villages that voted twice…the Republican gerrymanders of Florida’s Congressional Districts and the last minute voter purges…almost 1,000,000 in 2022.
https://www.wmnf.org/almost-1-million-florida-voters-declared-inactive-after-law-purging-voter-lists/
When it comes to voting, Republicans don’t have a leg to stand on…even their hatred for immigrants won’t help them stand.
T says
Republicans lie cry cheat steal surpress voters trump said I lost popularity vote 2016 never proven 4 years and now
Richard says
No one was worried about Flagler County. Our process are regulations are very good, thus the low number of fraud. Once again a waste of time articles on this page. Stick to reporting local news… not opinion pieces. No one is looking to read your diary or college term paper
Mark Webb says
Ed, I always like point out to others like you that 98% of citizens pay there law required taxes every year online.
They are verified using a online process very successfully. But can’t seem to vote with confidence, really.
This is a manufactured issue by the right to scare and cause dough in the system.
I wonder if this is why our present president won with far less votes than the total number of eligible votes. Most do every election.
Maybe there should there be a threshold of 50% public participation for a vote to count?
I wonder.
Sherry says
Well, lil whatever. . . If you and your family ever eat meat . . . especially sausages/hot dogs you are highly likely to have a small percentage of all kinds of icky stuff, like chicken, pig or cow poop, in your food. So what?
Not one of you Maga Cult Members have shown “credentialled evidence” that there is enough fraud in our elections in “ANY state” to “Make a difference in the outcome.
OK billr, If you personally saw voter fraud (beyond BS on Fox), what did you do about it? What was the resulting action taken? Where is your hard evidence? Come On. . . if you want to have any credibility here. . . Spill! Otherwise, we don’t really care what you say.
Laurel says
Pierre Tristam: You will see no proof, or facts, from Ed Danko, etc., etc., or any other magas. They do not provide, or require proof, or facts; they survive on faith. Faith that the white, straight, male will once again be at the apex, and dark people, women, and anyone not white, straight, and male, will be removed, or put in their place. The white, straight, American male will be the ultimate victim until then. The most ultimate victim, that the world has ever seen, Trump, will be their retribution.
Note that the IQ is in alignment there.
BillC says
@ Pierre T You’re a saint for taking all the abuse and unfair criticism heaped upon you and still publishing the comments of your detractors. If the roles were reversed it is doubtful the same courtesy would be extended to you.
Sherry says
Dear Bill C. WOW! Have you ever got that right!
Dave says
There wasn’t voter fraud it was a lie used to implement more voter restrictions. Chomsky a political theorist who vance and the stain have quoted suggests only wealthy oligarchs should have any say in government and voting ability.
Skibum says
Jason, I read with interest your comment about using PKI technology to enhance ballot security. I don’t know anything about this type of tech, but on its face as you describe it, it does sound promising, if only there was legitimate desire on the part of repubs to spend the money on election systems to put that in place. But I have to say that I don’t have any faith in their desire to do anything constructive that will take away their primary talking point about “election fraud”. No, it is the same old story, just like with their stance on immigration. When they had the chance to pass a comprehensive, bipartisan immigration bill that would have been signed into law when passed, the gop instead voted it down. They didn’t want a democrat president to be able to take a victory on the immigration issue, and they REALLY did not want to lose their primary talking points, blaming dems for the broken down immigration system that we have had for decades. I fear they would have the exact same stance when it comes time to allocate the money needed to implement any kind of technology to further safeguard our elections systems because, what then would they be able to talk about and try to get the mush brained among the populace to believe was “fraud” whenever a repub lost an election???
Kennan says
Lest we forget……
Fox News had to pay Dominion 787 million dollars for their lies about Dominion voting machines. Why’d they pay Dominion? Cause they were lying?
Lies are pushed by the fair and balanced.
The dummies simply catch the incessant messaging and here we are.
David Meeks says
Of course there is fraud. There is fraud in everything! Election laws are in place for a reason to keep the election process fair. It’s not voter suppression. If you can legally vote great, if not, stay home! That simple.