Through the Static

by Gray Trammel

Concerns over election security are growing across the country as voters report problems at polling stations, and as Trump works to influence the election by promising voters a $5,000 “Trump dividend” if Republicans retain control of Congress.

Several states, including Tennessee, Oregon, and Washington, and federal and state officials, are taking different approaches to election security. In Tennessee, voters have reported problems with touchscreen voting machines appearing to select Republican gubernatorial candidate Marsha Blackburn when they attempted to select Democrat Jerri Green. Stella Parton, sister of country music star Dolly Parton, was among those who reported the issue. Parton said she had to correct her selection three times while voting at the Hermitage Library in Nashville.

Election officials have said there is no evidence the machines are intentionally changing votes. They have attributed the reports to touchscreen problems, including unintended touches and calibration issues, and have encouraged voters to review their selections before submitting their ballots. The reports have drawn attention to voters across the country as they prepare to cast their ballots by Nov. 3.

In Washington, 92 undelivered mail-in ballots were found in two bins inside a dumpster at Golden Gardens Park in Oct. King County Elections recovered the ballots and reissued replacements to the affected voters. Seattle police searched 26 trash bins in two parking lots and found no additional ballots, while the U.S. Postal Inspection Service is investigating how the mail ended up at the park.

For months, elected officials in Washington have been sounding the alarm about voting interference, and have taken measures to secure the election, like issuing a 32-page resource guide on state and federal powers during elections. But, King County Elections Director Julie Wise was recently notified that the Department of Justice (DOJ) is sending election monitors to Washington in a federal effort to monitor elections in jurisdictions across the country. King County officials have said federal observers must follow Washington law and cannot touch ballots, voting equipment, or tabulation machines. Election officials can also remove observers who interfere with the election process.

These election monitors are also being sent to Multnomah County, Oregon, which includes Portland. According to Oregon officials, the federal monitors will observe the election for potential violations of federal voting rights and disability-access laws. They will not be permitted to handle ballots, inspect voting equipment, enter restricted areas, or interfere with election workers.

Gov. Bob Ferguson has also offered counties the use of the National Guard as an “Election Neighborhood Watch” while voters head to the polls. The program is intended to provide additional security at voting locations and ballot drop boxes. The National Guard members will not be in uniform, will not act as law enforcement, will not handle ballots, or interfere with voters. Instead, they will observe locations and report concerns to local authorities.

Six counties have accepted Gov. Ferguson’s offer: Clark, Island, King, Pierce, Snohomish, and Thurston. Spokane County declined the assistance.

Despite growing concerns and safeguards being put in place, Seattle Strike, a group preparing to launch a general strike if Trump steals the midterms, as previously reported by TtS, is hosting “Rock the Box,“ which is a series of 10 volunteer-led parties in Seattle and Shoreline. Residents are invited to return their ballots, connect with neighbors, and celebrate democracy from Nov. 1 to Nov. 3 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

“Rock the Box is a celebration of our right to vote and of the integrity of Washignton’s best-in-class vote-by-mail system. Joy in this case is in itself an act of resistance. We are counter-programing to the lies emanating from the White House, who has no evidence for any accusations they make,” Seattle Strike told TtS.

With time to get ballots turned in running out, Washington voters may see both federal observers and state-supported security personnel at some locations.

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