False claims about voting machines “switching” votes are spreading like wildfire online, but experts and election officials are setting the record straight. Recently, in Tarrant County, Texas, allegations surfaced that ballot machines were altering votes, but officials quickly debunked these claims, attributing the issue to human error ¹. Similar false claims have popped up in Tennessee and Georgia, with election officials in each state pointing to voter mistakes, not machine tampering, as the culprit.
The Reality of Voting Machine Security
Election security experts assure us that voting machines have potential vulnerabilities, but there’s no evidence of machines being hacked or programmed to alter ballots ¹. In fact, voting machines are tested both before and after votes are cast to ensure they’re working properly. A paper record of the vote is also kept, which serves as a critical safeguard in case of any issues.
Debunking Common Misconceptions
Some common misconceptions about voting machines include:
• Machine tampering: Experts agree that human error, not machine tampering, is the root cause of most voting issues ¹.
• Voting machine hacking: Despite concerns, there’s no evidence of voting machines being hacked or compromised ¹.
• Lack of transparency: Election officials emphasize that voting processes are designed to be transparent, with multiple checks and balances in place ².
What You Can Do
To ensure your vote counts, make sure to:
• Review your ballot carefully before casting it.
• Check for any errors or discrepancies.
• Report any issues to election officials immediately.
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