Hey, Those Who Say Voter Machines Can't Be Hacked

[gab13by13]

The claim is because they aren't on the internet.

Anyone watch the Secrets of Skinwalker Ranch? One of the main characters is Travis Taylor, an astrophysicist who worked for the government. They have several other experts on the show. In a recent episode, his computers that were in his trailer were hacked, all the data, and his computers are not on the internet. They were hacked by an external source not from within. They have no clue, no idea who got their data or where it went.

They talked about a device that could have been dropped by a low flying plane that flew over their ranch earlier. They didn't explain how this device could work.

Oh, there are several surveillance cameras around his trailer, yet his computers were hacked.

[Abnredleg]

1. Let me guess- he worked at Area 51

Working on alien technology.

Anyway, how do you hack the paper ballots used for audits?

[gab13by13]

2. Obviously one can't electronically hack something done by hand

with paper and pencil.

After the election most paper ballots go through tabulators, a machine.

There never was a forensic audit done the last election. Casey should have asked for one in Pa. but he didn't. Then we would have had a forensic state wide audit for Pa.

There were plenty of anomalies from the last election. Only in the battleground states did votes for Trump surge on election day. Not in any other state, there are graphs, did voting surge for Trump.

Kamala Harris not flipping a single district from red to blue is pretty close to impossible, it just doesn't happen.

[Abnredleg]

3. The swing states did risk limiting audits

Which consist of hand counts.

[gab13by13]

4. Yeah I know

for what offices? Those audits would show nothing about the statewide votes for president.

[Abnredleg]

5. It specifically covers the Presidential race.

Why would you design an audit process and not cover the presidential race? That makes no sense. It’s one of the measures many states put in place to allay concerns about the 2020 presidential election and they are all online for you to read.

[gab13by13]

8. No statewide forensic audit was done on the 2024 election.

If it was, I missed it. A process exists but it needs to be used. If Casey had requested the audit it would have been used and it could have shown abnormalities.

[Abnredleg]

9. Define a "forensic audit"

It’s a term with no defined meaning. All the states did multiply pre- and post- election audits, to include risk limiting audits with hand recounts. What didn’t they do that they should have done? You need to get granular with your argument.

[gab13by13]

14. Forensic audit

A forensic audit: what it could uncover
A forensic audit involves more than just a recount. It’s a comprehensive investigation that reviews every aspect of the election process to uncover any tampering or errors. Here’s what such an audit could reveal:

Verification of rejected ballots
A core part of any forensic audit would be re-examining the millions of rejected mail-in ballots. If patterns of misapplication of rejection criteria were found, ballots could be restored, particularly in states with narrow margins.

Digital security analysis
Cybersecurity experts would examine the voting infrastructure for signs of digital tampering. Given the bomb threats linked to Russian sources and known attempts to influence U.S. elections in 2016, any signs of hacking or manipulation of tabulation software could be uncovered through such an audit.

Examination of paper ballots
In states where both electronic and paper ballots are used, a forensic audit could compare digital and paper records to identify discrepancies. This could reveal whether the digital tabulation was accurate, or whether machine errors or tampering led to inaccurate results.

International and domestic precedents for forensic audits
Across the globe, democracies have taken swift action to investigate election irregularities, often with far less evidence than exists in the U.S. today. Countries such as France, Germany, and Japan have long-established protocols for handling suspected election interference or malfeasance. These protocols almost always include forensic audits, often triggered automatically when interference is suspected.

France has cybersecurity laws that mandate extensive scrutiny of any suspected foreign interference in elections. If any credible threat is detected, a full forensic audit is conducted to protect the integrity of the electoral process.

Germany similarly requires an investigation if there is any suspicion of interference, even if the evidence is not overwhelming. The country’s commitment to electoral integrity means that any anomaly triggers a full review of the process, from the voting system to the final tabulation.

Mexico and Brazil – with their robust electronic voting systems – have made audits a standard part of their election protocols. Brazil’s system is particularly well-regarded for its automatic audit trails, which ensure transparency and accountability. In Brazil, any discrepancy or technical issue is reason enough to conduct a thorough review of the results.

Countries like Kenya (2017) and Austria (2016) have annulled or altered election results following audits triggered by irregularities, highlighting how forensic reviews can uncover critical issues that may affect outcomes. In Kenya, electronic tampering led to the annulment of the presidential election, and in Austria, discrepancies in mail-in ballots prompted a re-run, where the results were altered.

These cases demonstrate a crucial point: when foreign interference or systemic issues arise, audits are an essential tool for restoring public confidence and ensuring the legitimacy of the election outcome.

Why the US needs this
The 2024 US presidential election is marked by verified reports of Russian interference, bomb threats, and high rates of rejected ballots. In any other wealthy democracy, these factors would have likely already triggered an audit. Although several states have initiated recounts and audits, including Pennsylvania and Michigan, where narrow margins have triggered such processes, some have called for a more comprehensive forensic review of the election. These advocates argue that the stakes are high, and the integrity of the election process should be fully examined in light of verified concerns such as potential interference, technical issues, and high rates of rejected ballots.

The question here is not whether a forensic audit would change the results, but whether it will be allowed to happen in time to ensure that the results reflect the true will of the voters. A forensic audit isn’t just about confirming the legitimacy of an election—it’s about restoring trust in the democratic process. As other nations have shown, audits can uncover critical errors and prevent potential injustice. The U.S. should be no different in ensuring that every vote is counted and that interference—foreign or domestic—is swiftly addressed.
https://www.thecanary.co/global/world-analysis/2024/11/19/forensic-audit-us-presidential-election/

[Abnredleg]

17. That's better

But it doesn’t advance your argument because everything you listed is already being done. Your list is Election Security 101 stuff - basic procedures that are baked into all election security regulations. In other words, there was a “ forensic audit” for the 2024 election.

[gab13by13]

18. So a forensic audit wasn't done

when the tabulation of Ohio votes for Bush - Kerry was rerouted to Tennessee? This is a different situation as the rerouting was already in the program, the programmer who did it admitted it. Sadly he died in a small plane crash on his way to DC to testify.

Kerry really won the election.

My point is that Republicans cheat all the time to win.

[Abnredleg]

19. You're going to need to provide proof for this claim /nt

[gab13by13]

24. What claim?

The rerouting of Ohio votes to Tennessee is a fact, there is no debate.

[Abnredleg]

36. If it's a fact, it isn't a widely held fact

Anyway, please educate us.

[questionseverything]

38. *partial hand counts from a small number of precincts "

So worthless

[Abnredleg]

39. That's not the process

Random batches from different precincts, with the number of ballots counted increasing the closer the race is. A truly random sample of sufficient size will flag irregularities, which in turn will trigger a full recount. The statistical science behind this is solid.

[SickOfTheOnePct]

21. You've said before...

…that only in swing states did day of voting surge for Trump, but when asked for the data that show that, I’ve still not seen you respond.

Have you seen the actual numbers, or is this based on hearsay?

[gab13by13]

25. No, there are graphs that show the anomalies,

there are actual statistics. They have been shown here at DU right after the election.

[MichMan]

34. The ones that ignore things like split ballots and voters not voting straight ticket on every race?

[FBaggins]

6. So you're saying that aliens did it?

I can’t think of a way to refute that

[EdmondDantes_]

7. Which is where conspiracy theories inevitably end up

After everything has been refuted, resort to unfalsifiable theories.

Relying on "reality" tv for evidence is a new one for me.

[gab13by13]

12. Saying the earth is round was a conspiracy theory.

Travis Taylor is a renowned astrophysicist. Are you saying that he is lying, risking his reputation, about his computer being hacked from an outside source?

You don't have a problem with me you have a problem with Travis. I trust Travis to know more about what he is talking about, I have no idea what your credentials are?

[Fiendish Thingy]

16. But you don't seem to clearly understand what Travis is talking about

At least based on your incomplete description of his story of being hacked.

RFKjr has lots of doctors on his team with lots of credentials, who nevertheless spout antivax, anti-science nonsense.

[EdmondDantes_]

26. Except there's evidence the earth is round, unlike the election conspiracy

And last time I checked an astrophysics isn't computer science. Just because someone may be an expert in one field doesn't make them an expert in another unrelated field.

And reality TV is known for selective editing, for saying something is impossible to create artificial drama. Doesn't make it true.

[gab13by13]

10. Is that what I am saying, or are you putting words in my mouth?

Would a former government astrophysicist lie about what happened to his computers that would endanger his reputation?

Does it upset you that the reason that Magats are giving that elections can't be hacked may not be true?

Is it a conspiracy theory that I am saying it may be possible to hack computers that are not connected to the internet, from an external source?

Maybe the real problem is that people are afraid to be called a conspiracy nut, I am not afraid, in this situation.

[Fiendish Thingy]

11. Unsatisfactory explanation

This is weak, even for a CT.

Either:

The computers were actually connected to internet (via cellular hotspot perhaps) at some point and exposed to malware, or

Somebody physically accessed the computer with an infected flash drive.

Every other suggested explanation is full of holes.

[gab13by13]

13. What are your credentials?

Maybe you could tune in to the next episode, I think it's this Tuesday at 8 PM.

As I said, they talked about some sort of device that a plane could have dropped nearby the trailer that could have caused the hacking, but they really didn't get into a detailed explanation of it.

Hey, maybe Travis is lying about his computer being hacked just to get more viewers? He got me to bite.

[Fiendish Thingy]

15. Maybe Travis is a moron?

How does a computer get hacked unless someone connects to it, either via the internet (or creating a wireless LAN), or physically with a peripheral device such as a flash drive?

Your/Travis’s explanation doesn’t answer that critical question.

If a device dropped from a plane could hack his computer, that means his wifi/wireless LAN was turned on, even if not connected to an internet network/server.

Voting machines don’t have wifi.

My computer has firewalls in place to protect against unwelcome internet/wifi connections - maybe Travis is too stupid to turn on his firewalls? With no firewall, somebody with a laptop outside his trailer could hack into his computer.

[Disaffected]

20. Or via Bluetooth? nt

[brush]

22. What is with that show, and the other one, "Mystery of Oak Island", or whatever it's called.

Seems many mysterious events that have happened in history gets an episode to 'explore how they are some how connected to and happened at those places'...nazi events, pirate treasure, Knights of Malta, the Knights of Templar for that matter, extra terrestrial landings.

It all seems kind of conspiratorial in itself.

[gab13by13]

29. The people on Oak Island

aren't going to find any treasure, it would be gone by now. What the people investigating Oak Island are doing is rewriting history.

I watch it from a historical perspective. FDR was interested in Oak Island, invested money there. Not sure or not if he ever visited the island, there are photos of him but not conclusive.

[brush]

30. Rewaring history, but for what reason? Seems like a lot of BS to me.

[RandomNumbers]

23. VVPAT and audits

is the solution

VVPAT - voter verified paper audit trail

https://verifiedvoting.org/verifier/#mode/navigate/map/auditLaw/mapType/audit/year/2024

That said, I worry that we are missing something with the audit approaches even where that link shows they are good.

THAT said - I was shocked and saddened by some of my neighbors putting up TSF signs for the 2024 election. People who can't understand how TSF won, must not live in a politically mixed neighborhood. And this is why I chalk up 2024 to "people won't vote for a woman for President" - people who should've known better, and supported Biden in 2020, flipped back to TSF.

[Abnredleg]

37. I notice they mention Risk Limiting Audits

Which were done the swing states. I don’t think everyone appreciates how much the audit process was strengthened after 2020 to allay the Trump conspiracy believers.

[tritsofme]

27. Probably aliens!

I mean…wasn’t this the inevitable place that these extremely silly election denial conspiracy theories would land?

[Celerity]

28. Green Maga from Mars did it! They like Cheeto Hitler's colouring, it reminds them of home.

[Blue Full Moon]

31. Jim Baker used the example of casino slot machines.

Trump had 106 counts of money laundering to Russians using slot machines. Baker also said that it's the insider. Take the Mesa County election official that gave her pass card to access man working for Lindell. Lindell admitted in court buying computer program to hack EVMs. When they sentenced the woman and report said it was to check the EVMs for the Big Lie. What they did not say was the program was downloaded. They caught this one instance there were a lot more. Then Musk told India election's Minister that any device can be hacked.

[Kaleva]

32. Could be hacked and were hacked are not the same

[MichMan]

33. So, are you saying that maybe the MAGAT's weren't wrong when they said Trump really won in 2020?

[tritsofme]

35. Perhaps, but these election deniers are definitely arguing that Harris is complicit in covering up her own stolen

election, or that she and her billion dollar campaign were just too dumb to figure it out what all these internet geniuses found immediately.

Those are the only two options they have.

2024 election denialism is a vicious attack on the character of both Harris and Biden.