Ex-GOP Election Official Acquires Dominion Voting Systems: Advocates for Paper Ballots Reform

Liberty Vote: A New Chapter After Dominion

Liberty Vote has stepped in to take the place of Dominion Voting Systems, which faced heavy criticism during the 2020 election. The company has now been bought by Scott Leiendecker, a Missouri entrepreneur known for his work in election technology.

Leiendecker, who once served as a Republican director for the St. Louis City Board of Elections, aims to rebuild trust in the electoral system. He stated, “As of today, Dominion is gone. Liberty Vote assumes full ownership and operational control.” This change appears to ally closely with recent political trends focused on voter integrity.

Liberty Vote plans to prioritize paper ballots, which supporters argue enhance security and transparency. Leiendecker emphasized that voters should feel confident their ballots are securely counted. This aligns with broader discussions in political circles about needing reforms to restore public faith in elections.

In recent years, 98% of Americans live in areas where voting systems already guarantee a paper trail. Despite this, the push for “hand-marked paper ballots” continues, largely inspired by former President Donald Trump’s claims of widespread fraud. Experts, however, explain that studies show very little voter fraud actually occurs in U.S. elections.

In addition to emphasizing paper ballots, Liberty Vote intends to engage in third-party audits of election systems. This initiative resonates with a faction of voters who want a transparent checking system after claims of election interference surfaced. Research consistently indicates that most states perform internal audits after elections, reducing the perceived need for external audits.

A Bit of Background

Dominion became a household name following the 2020 election when conspiracy theories suggested that their machines were rigged to favor Joe Biden over Trump. These claims were swiftly debunked, yet they gained traction, notably within Trump’s circles and certain media outlets.

After facing intense scrutiny, Dominion took legal action against several related figures and organizations for defamation, achieving major settlements, including a substantial payout from Fox News.

With the new branding as Liberty Vote, some experts feel this will raise questions about existing contracts with states that previously utilized Dominion’s services. David Becker, an election industry expert, has remarked that “this announcement raises a lot of questions” for those involved.

While Dominion emerged as a less-known player in the voting technology sector, it has now become emblematic of current political disputes surrounding election integrity. By bringing on additional oversight and focusing on American ownership and operations, Liberty Vote looks to reshape its legacy.

Overall, the changes signal significant shifts in how voting technology may operate in future elections, reflecting the ongoing debates about trust, security, and transparency in the electoral process.

For more on election integrity efforts and technological developments in voting, check out the Brennan Center for Justice.

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