Growing Concerns as Election Day Nears
As Election Day 2024 approaches, concerns about disinformation campaigns, ballot processing challenges, and voting issues continue to grow. Officials, however, remain confident in the safeguards established to ensure a secure and fair election.
Election Security and Foreign Interference
Election officials have spent months preparing for potential disruptions. In May, the Senate Intelligence Committee chairman warned of unprecedented foreign attacks targeting the upcoming election. Recent reports highlight the role of Russian actors in spreading disinformation. Fake videos linked to a Russian campaign aim to sway public opinion and erode trust in the election process.
One viral video falsely shows a Haitian immigrant voting twice for Vice President Kamala Harris in Georgia. Another falsely accuses Harris and her husband, Douglas Emhoff, of tipping off a music producer about an FBI raid in exchange for a bribe. Both videos were traced to Russian operatives. A third video falsely depicts mail-in ballots being destroyed in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, a key battleground state. Intelligence reports confirmed the video’s origin as part of a Russian disinformation effort.
Ballot Collection and Counting Challenges
Local election authorities are also dealing with ballot counting issues. Arson attacks on ballot boxes in Oregon and Washington have raised concerns about ballot security.
Damaged Ballots from Arson Incidents
In Oregon and Washington, a suspected arsonist set fire to ballot collection boxes. The first fire occurred in Portland’s Buckman neighborhood, with another incident in Vancouver, Washington, soon after. Portland’s fire suppression system limited the damage to only three ballots. However, the system failed in Vancouver, affecting nearly 500 ballots. Election officials have since reissued replacement ballots to voters. Officials noted that six ballots could not be identified and may have been permanently destroyed.
Portland Police spokesperson Mike Benner described the suspect as a white male, aged 30 to 40, with a thin build and short or balding hair. Messages reading “Free Gaza” were found at the scene of the fires, according to reports from The New York Times and ABC News. Authorities remain vigilant, believing the suspect may attempt more attacks.
Trump Campaign’s Allegations of Foreign Interference
The Trump campaign has filed a legal complaint against the UK’s Labour Party, alleging foreign interference in the U.S. election. The complaint follows a LinkedIn post by the Labour Party’s operations head, who acknowledged that party staff were volunteering for Harris’s campaign. While foreign nationals may volunteer for U.S. campaigns, they are prohibited from receiving compensation.
The Trump campaign argues that the Labour Party’s actions constitute “blatant foreign interference” and raise concerns about potential illegal contributions. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer countered, stating that Labour Party members were acting in their personal capacity and not on behalf of the party.
Voting Issues and Legal Challenges
Several states are contending with issues related to voter registration, ballot processing, and election security. In Michigan, a Chinese student at the University of Michigan is facing charges for casting an illegal ballot. Although state law prevents officials from removing the ballot due to privacy safeguards, authorities have made it clear that noncitizens attempting to vote will face severe legal consequences. Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson emphasized that such cases remain rare.
In Pennsylvania, absentee ballot processing faces ongoing legal battles. The Erie County Board of Elections has been ordered to send replacement absentee ballots to nearly 20,000 voters who did not receive them. The court also ordered extended office hours leading up to Election Day to ensure all voters have access to their ballots.
The U.S. Postal Service’s role in ballot delivery is another growing concern. Delays in mail delivery could impact the counting of thousands of ballots in the tightly contested presidential race. Representative David Joyce of Ohio stressed that voters should not have to worry about delivery times affecting their votes.
The Supreme Court recently declined to block Pennsylvania from counting certain provisional ballots. The decision allows the counting of ballots without the secrecy sleeve required for absentee ballots. This ruling could impact thousands of votes, further complicating the outcome of the election.