'A madness has taken hold’ ahead of U.S. midterms: local election officials fear for safety

[onthedarkside]

 

...

Following Donald Trump’s refusal to acknowledge his defeat in the 2020 presidential election, Allen says the once low-profile job of non-partisan local election official has transformed in counties like hers. A culture of misinformation has sown doubt in the US election system and subjected officials from Nevada to Michigan to harassment and threats. The FBI has received more than 1,000 reports of threats against election workers in the past year alone.

 

In California, officials in small, rural and underresourced counties such as Shasta say they are encountering hostility and aggressive bullying from residents who believe there is widespread voter fraud – many are inundating local elections offices with public records requests as part of a relentless quest to try to prove their claims.

 

(more)

 

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/a-madness-has-taken-hold-ahead-of-us-midterms-local-election-officials-fear-for-safety/ar-AA13r4yi

 

 

[candide]

With all the MAGA morons excited by Trump's endless Big Lie campaign, it will be a mess!

[pegman]

 Congratulations Americans you have now attained full banana republic status 

[Gweiloman]

1 hour ago, pegman said:

 Congratulations Americans you have now attained full banana republic status 

Not forgetting the money politics…

 

 

[Why Me]

2016 it was Russian interference, 2020 election fraud. To paraphrase Kipling "Red is red, and blue is blue, and never the twain shall meet".

[candide]

1 hour ago, Why Me said:

2016 it was Russian interference, 2020 election fraud. To paraphrase Kipling "Red is red, and blue is blue, and never the twain shall meet".

False equivalence.

The Russian interference has been proven true, and acknowledged even by the GOP led Senate commission. The 2020 election fraud conspiracy theory has been debunked since some time, including by several Republicans (I.e. Barr).

[2baht]

1 hour ago, Why Me said:

You can't buy likeability

Is'nt that what Trump has done, paid for with BS! Despicable, lying buffoon!

[talahtnut]

There is no fraud in America.

No link supplied.

[BritManToo]

Mail votes will always be a problem.

Especially when the are the opposite to the in-person votes.

 

I prefer a system where votes are made locally, in person on bits of paper, and the box gets opened and counted there and then in front of anyone who wants to watch.

Edited October 27, 2022 by BritManToo

[Chomper Higgot]

Voter intimidation is well underway:

 

https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2022/10/arizona-ballot-drop-box-vigilantes

[Chomper Higgot]

There’s good news too.

 

Voter turnout is breaking records across the US.

 

Citizens motivated to take part in elections can only be a good thing for democracy:

 

https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/midterm-elections-early-voting-updates-turnout-surpasses-prior/story?id=92022629

[2baht]

7 hours ago, Why Me said:

 

I'm not American, I just look and laugh. Trump makes Americans look foolish!

[Gweiloman]

Suffice to say that the political system is flawed and the victors leave a lot to be desired, both in terms of character and competence. They should take a leaf out of some other more successful countries like Taiwan or Singapore.

[ballpoint]

33 minutes ago, Gweiloman said:

Suffice to say that the political system is flawed and the victors leave a lot to be desired, both in terms of character and competence. They should take a leaf out of some other more successful countries like Taiwan or Singapore.

To be fair, Singapore was what Trump had in mind.  Turning the leadership into a family dynasty - as a step towards going full North Korea.

[heybruce]

4 hours ago, BritManToo said:

Mail votes will always be a problem.

Especially when the are the opposite to the in-person votes.

 

I prefer a system where votes are made locally, in person on bits of paper, and the box gets opened and counted there and then in front of anyone who wants to watch.

I see.  So the old and infirm should not vote, military personnel should not vote, politicians in the nation's capitol doing their jobs should not vote, expats should not vote...

 

I assume you don't vote.

[Eric Loh]

Surely this kind of election threats can't be happening in USA, shining beacon of democracy. ???? As the Progressive International Movement state that "we cannot repy on the US to champion democracy around the world". Demoracy has been sliding since Trump infamous walk down the escalator. Assault on election, voting rights and the judiciary, spread of misinformation will contribute to stark partisan divide that will only worsened in years to come. That genie will not be put back into the bottle even after Trump has long passed. The radical right has evolved under Trump. 

[ballpoint]

First a disclaimer.  This post will mention conspiracy theorists and show material from one such website, not in an attempt to push such theories, but to inform those who may not be aware of such just how deep and dangerous some of these groups are.  It does fit in with the topic of this thread, and explains why this madness has taken hold, and who is doing the threatening.  However, I fully understand if the mods deem this post to be spreading conspiracies and edit or remove it.

 

A former work colleague of mine is a major conspiracy theorist who, like most of that ilk, feels the need to preach the "truth" to everyone around him.  He has recently started going on about an upcoming takeover of Western governments by the "White Hat" movement, a group I'd never heard of before, so I did a search (using Duck Duck Go, on the TOR browser on top of a VPN - I may not be a conspiracy theorist, but I do know when 'they' are keeping track of you).  I won't insult (most of) your intelligence by going into all the ridiculous, but scary details of this group, other than to say (according to the search results) they are right wing Christians who worship Donald Trump, have infiltrated the US military, and are arresting and executing "traitors" to the US right now (in made up 'news' stories that are patently easy to refute, yet are believed by a certain segment of the US population, with the rationale given that those who it is claimed were executed, but are still around, have been replaced by doubles). 

 

One of the results that come up was this one.  I'm not posting a workable link to it, but instead a screenshot while copying the first three paragraphs of the story.  Believe me, the comments section is a lot worse.  Search "white hats mid term elections" if you must go further.  Make your own conclusions.  Mine are that it's impossible to reason with a believer of this nonsense, and explains the knee-jerk reactions of Trump supporters when any of the criminal investigations into his doings are mentioned.  In their eyes he's not a naughty boy, he's the messiah.

 

 

"The White Hat partition of a splintered U.S. military will actively monitor midterm election results in real-time, with boots on the ground in hotly contested states and a team of cybersecurity specialists at a fortified command center, a White Hat source told Real Raw News.

...

White Hats have committed a sizable force to prevent that outcome. Members of the Special Operations community, dressed in plain clothes, will stake out drop boxes and polling booths in at least 9 states. They will also be on the lookout for busloads of both ANTIFA and illegal immigrants being shuttled between voting stations in states without voter ID laws—a favorite tactic among Democrats.

“Anyone caught will be immediately arrested or deported,” our source said."

 

Edited October 28, 2022 by onthedarkside
quoted content shortened for fair use

[Berkshire]

1 hour ago, ballpoint said:

To be fair, Singapore was what Trump had in mind.  Turning the leadership into a family dynasty - as a step towards going full North Korea.

I don't recall Trump ever mentioning Singapore as his ideal model.  Trump prefers ruthless dictators like Putin and Kim Jong, not responsible people who actually want to govern for their citizens.

[xylophone]

1 hour ago, ballpoint said:

First a disclaimer.  This post will mention conspiracy theorists and show material from one such website, not in an attempt to push such theories, but to inform those who may not be aware of such just how deep and dangerous some of these groups are.  It does fit in with the topic of this thread, and explains why this madness has taken hold, and who is doing the threatening.  However, I fully understand if the mods deem this post to be spreading conspiracies and edit or remove it.

 

A former work colleague of mine is a major conspiracy theorist who, like most of that ilk, feels the need to preach the "truth" to everyone around him.  He has recently started going on about an upcoming takeover of Western governments by the "White Hat" movement, a group I'd never heard of before, so I did a search (using Duck Duck Go, on the TOR browser on top of a VPN - I may not be a conspiracy theorist, but I do know when 'they' are keeping track of you).  I won't insult (most of) your intelligence by going into all the ridiculous, but scary details of this group, other than to say (according to the search results) they are right wing Christians who worship Donald Trump, have infiltrated the US military, and are arresting and executing "traitors" to the US right now (in made up 'news' stories that are patently easy to refute, yet are believed by a certain segment of the US population, with the rationale given that those who it is claimed were executed, but are still around, have been replaced by doubles). 

 

One of the results that come up was this one.  I'm not posting a workable link to it, but instead a screenshot while copying the first three paragraphs of the story.  Believe me, the comments section is a lot worse.  Search "white hats mid term elections" if you must go further.  Make your own conclusions.  Mine are that it's impossible to reason with a believer of this nonsense, and explains the knee-jerk reactions of Trump supporters when any of the criminal investigations into his doings are mentioned.  In their eyes he's not a naughty boy, he's the messiah.

 

 

"The White Hat partition of a splintered U.S. military will actively monitor midterm election results in real-time, with boots on the ground in hotly contested states and a team of cybersecurity specialists at a fortified command center, a White Hat source told Real Raw News.

...

White Hats have committed a sizable force to prevent that outcome. Members of the Special Operations community, dressed in plain clothes, will stake out drop boxes and polling booths in at least 9 states. They will also be on the lookout for busloads of both ANTIFA and illegal immigrants being shuttled between voting stations in states without voter ID laws—a favorite tactic among Democrats.

“Anyone caught will be immediately arrested or deported,” our source said."

 

And there are "mental midgets" out there who will believe this nonsense, and talking of madness, I have a friend back in NZ who follows a mate of hers who is just as dumb, and has been talking about the world being pushed towards a "grand plan", masterminded by Bill Gates, BlackRock etc.

...

No matter, because I told her to stop emailing me with any of her nonsense/rubbish, simply because folks like her are just too dumb, and some.

 

Sorry it's off topic a little although it is related to the title regarding "a madness has taken hold"...........

Edited October 28, 2022 by onthedarkside
off topic comments removed

[onthedarkside]

A post citing a disallowed "questionable source" website and a non-news report article has been removed.

 

[billd766]

6 hours ago, BritManToo said:

Mail votes will always be a problem.

Especially when the are the opposite to the in-person votes.

 

I prefer a system where votes are made locally, in person on bits of paper, and the box gets opened and counted there and then in front of anyone who wants to watch.

Then how do the legitimate voters get counted, those who are sick, those who are unable to get to a polling station, the military, those people who know in advance that they will be out of the area on polling day?

 

I know a good way. 

 

A postal vote.

[Phoenix Rising]

3 hours ago, Gweiloman said:

Suffice to say that the political system is flawed and the victors leave a lot to be desired, both in terms of character and competence. They should take a leaf out of some other more successful countries like Taiwan or Singapore.

Based on your previous posts I'm surprised you don't mention Russia as a shining example of a successful country.....

[BritManToo]

4 hours ago, billd766 said:

Then how do the legitimate voters get counted, those who are sick, those who are unable to get to a polling station, the military, those people who know in advance that they will be out of the area on polling day?

 

I know a good way. 

 

A postal vote.

Too much opportunity to cheat with post and computer.

In person or not at all IMHO.

[billd766]

1 hour ago, BritManToo said:

Too much opportunity to cheat with post and computer.

In person or not at all IMHO.

But you don't have a vote there anyway.

[heybruce]

1 hour ago, BritManToo said:

Too much opportunity to cheat with post and computer.

In person or not at all IMHO.

Whenever someone insists that it is easy to fraudulently vote by mail I challenge them to explain how they would do it and get away with it.  They always go quiet.

 

The voting machines are not connected to the internet.  Every audit of the results and manual recount of paper ballots confirm the results of the machines. 

 

If all ballots are counted manually it would take days to get the results, and the conspiracy theorists would be crying "fraud" all the while.

 

The rare instances of people caught voting illegally proves that such voter fraud is rare.

[Gweiloman]

7 hours ago, Phoenix Rising said:

Based on your previous posts I'm surprised you don't mention Russia as a shining example of a successful country.....

I didn’t mention Russia because I don’t think it’s a successful country. I did a lot of business there and saw clearly its shortcomings.

 

In fact, I don’t think many western countries are successful. Even America is fairing worse than Thailand with a lower growth. As de-dollarisation continues and if the petrodollar is substituted, then America’s hegemony will be ended. 
 

Shining examples will be found in the rest of the world, especially Asia. Even Laos, one of the world’s poorest countries, is expected to post over 4% growth in 2022, in a large part due to China’s BRI. 

[Credo]

3 hours ago, BritManToo said:

Too much opportunity to cheat with post and computer.

In person or not at all IMHO.

I am from a state that has used mail-in voting for a very long time.  Almost all cheating occurs in person because the vote by mail is extremely secure.   First, to vote you have to be a registered voter and registering to vote is the hard part.  That's where you have to prove your citizenship, residence, etc.  Once you get the voter registration card, it has a bar code with all the relevant information when you vote.  

 

The bar code appears on the envelope of both the envelope the ballot arrives in, and the envelope provided to return it. You must sign the back of the envelope.  Once the ballot is filled out, it is returned in the envelope provided. You can also include your phone number, should you want them to call you if there is a problem.  Once your ballot is received, your name is removed from the eligible voter role.  You can request a notification that your ballot has been received.   

 

Once the ballot is received, the envelope will be scanned to assure it matches the registration roll and your identity.  The signature on the ballot is verified with the signature on file -- that may include not only the one when you registered to vote but other sources such as the signature provided for a Driver's License.   The verification is done by both a machine and then a visual verification by a person.   

 

If there are any discrepancies, such as a signature that doesn't match, then it is put aside as a provisional ballot.  They will contact you, and you can get any discrepancy taken care of.   (I know a person who had a broken arm and the signature didn't match--he got a call and went to the election office and got it taken care of).   

 

Your envelope will remain unopened until the designated time to begin the count.   

 

If you vote in person, it's not all that difficult to have someone else's registration card and ID and go through the line more than once.  You can't do that with a mail-in ballot.  

 

 

 

[onthedarkside]

An off-topic post and ensuing reply have been removed.

 

This thread is about threats to and intimidation of election workers in the leadup to the November elections -- not re-arguing the Mueller-Russia-Trump investigation.

 

 

[placeholder]

7 hours ago, Gweiloman said:

I didn’t mention Russia because I don’t think it’s a successful country. I did a lot of business there and saw clearly its shortcomings.

 

In fact, I don’t think many western countries are successful. Even America is fairing worse than Thailand with a lower growth. As de-dollarisation continues and if the petrodollar is substituted, then America’s hegemony will be ended. 
 

Shining examples will be found in the rest of the world, especially Asia. Even Laos, one of the world’s poorest countries, is expected to post over 4% growth in 2022, in a large part due to China’s BRI. 

It's virtually always the case extreme for extreme examples of government mismanagement that less developed economies grow more rapidly than fully developed ones. The reasons for this are obvious.

[placeholder]

37 minutes ago, placeholder said:

It's virtually always the case extreme for extreme examples of government mismanagement that less developed economies grow more rapidly than fully developed ones. The reasons for this are obvious.

I meant to write:

It's virtually always the case except for extreme examples of government mismanagement that less developed economies grow more rapidly than fully developed ones. The reasons for this are obvious.