INDIANAPOLIS – In Georgia, a federal lawsuit by election security activists points to irregularities and issues with the state’s voting machines. The confusion is compounded by the fact that, like those in use in 60 percent of Indiana counties, voting machines in Georgia do not have an auditable paper trail.
From McClatchy DC Bizarre tales, confusing ballots from Georgia’s primary contained in federal lawsuit
“The odd turnout figures last Friday were filed as part of a federal lawsuit against the state by election security activists that included a number of sworn statements and exhibits from activists and voters who experienced a series of bizarre and confusing issues at the state’s polling places.
“That confusion comes amid swelling public concern for the security of Georgia’s voting systems. Georgia is one of four states that uses voting machines statewide that produce no paper record for voters to verify, making them difficult to audit, experts say.
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“Bowers, for example, noticed that a machine was marked “Do Not Touch,” when she went to vote in July. One poll worker told her votes had been cast on the machine prior to its failure on Election Day.
“After the polls closed, Bowers noticed the results tape from the machine showed it hadn’t collected any votes.
“Two statements also indicated that the race in the 9th Congressional District were omitted from a results tape in one precinct of Hall County.”
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen called the inability to audit election results “a national security concern”. With primary elections in Kansas this week being decided by just a handful of votes, Indiana Democratic Party John Zody pointed to the troubling developments in Georgia as a potential harbinger of what could happen in Indiana.
“Hoosiers should go to the polls knowing their vote will count and is safe from manipulation,” said Zody. “Can Secretary Lawson honestly say that’s the case? In 60 percent of counties, there’s no paper trail and no way to audit votes, leaving Hoosiers on an island as to whether their vote counted.”
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