Two Fatal Flaws In Our Elections - Why We Can't Have Honest Elections and How to Fix Them

Scanned ballot images are the first fatal flaw in our elections. When they are coupled with other elements of our electronic election systems, they are the key element supporting election fraud. All else, including dirty voter rolls, internet connected systems, and other parts of our election systems that have sacrificed integrity for convenience and centralized processing rely on that first fatal flaw of the use of ballot images instead of the actual paper ballot forms.

• Part I - The Illusion of Paper Ballots
• Part II - Fraud Deniers and the Acceptance of Election Fraud

There are many other methods by which election fraud is committed. There is no single method responsible, but to the time tested methods of cemetery voting, voter intimidation, ballot box stuffing, and vote buying, we have added whole new classes of manipulation. Whereas before, the small scale "retail" methods might affect a local election, the new wholesale methods enabled by the electronic "machines" are capable of changing the outcome of elections at State and even National levels. And it all starts with ballot images.

While the use of ballot images instead of the actual paper ballots is the most critical flaw in our election systems, there is a second one that is also key, but is generally less obvious.

We currently have almost no way of correcting an election corrupted by fraud.

Our legal system is built around the idea that if there is a crime, there is an identified perpetrator, a clear crime committed, a defined punishment, and a clear remedy to repair any damage caused. In the case of election fraud, although the crime might be identified, there is often no clearly defined perpetrator and no clear remedy. If the perpetrator is an overseas state actor, there is not even a punishment available.

This leads to the situation where we might have an election where it is obvious that there are no legal votes that were counted, but the results of the election will have to be accepted on the premise that it is better to have someone selected than to suffer the chaos that would arise if there were no official chosen, even if that choice was based on fraud!

In a legal challenge to a statewide or national election, few judges would be willing to accept the case. Even if fraud were proven, and shown to have been sufficient to alter the outcome of the election, how could a judgment be made? Should the results be discarded and the election done over, probably using the same systems? Should the judge select the winners? Perhaps he could simply declare the election null and void and let chaos prevail. Maybe the candidates could draw lots.

We continually hear that our election systems are Critical Infrastructure and vital to our National Security. Why, then, do we not only tolerate, but even create more vulnerabilities in our election systems? Why do so many of our representatives refuse to address the clearly identified flaws? Is it that they are afraid they wouldn't be elected if we were to eliminate fraud?

As it stands, we are on the threshold of one of the most monumental elections in the history of this Nation. While both sides have indulged in election fraud, it is the Democrats who have enjoyed the greatest benefits of fraud in recent elections. The election of Joe Biden as President is only one of the more recent examples.

Recently, a number of prominent Democrats have stated clear intentions of using the power of government to attack and punish Donald Trump and those who supported him and his MAGA followers, when they take back control of the House and Senate after the 2026 election. They are determined to win using any means available.

Election integrity should be a non-partisan issue where everyone wants to win fairly and honestly. Objections to election integrity measures should be viewed as indications of an ulterior motive. These include objections that they would make elections less convenient for voters, they would increase expenses, would delay election certification, and other red herring excuses.

In order to deal with the two fatal flaws discussed here so that we can restore trust in our elections, I propose the following measures be implemented as soon as possible, and certainly in time for the November 2026 midterm elections:

1. All election results should be obtained from direct examination of paper ballots, and not from electronic images obtained from paper ballots.
   Any programming for ballot interpretation shall be available for public inspection, and there must be auditable measures taken to endure that the public source code generates the executable code used in the tabulator.
   Hand counting of the paper ballots under public observation shall be an acceptable method for determining vote
2. Only paper ballots received in person at a polling location from voters who can provide a valid photo ID with proof of citizenship shall be accepted for counting, except for cases such as travel, military service, infirmity, or other acceptable and verifiable reason that the individual cannot vote in person
3. No images or other electronic representation of ballots or ballot choices shall be used in any way to determine counts or the outcome of an election.
4. In the event that it is determined that there has been fraud in an election at a sufficient level to affect the outcome, the results of the particular affected election shall be declared null and void. To the extent possible, the methods of fraud used shall be identified, and appropriate measures taken to prevent such measures from being used in future elections.

A public report shall be prepared detailing the methods discovered, the remedial measures taken and a statement of why such measures are expected to be effective. At that time, the affected election shall be re-done with the remedial measures in place.

Acceptance of the results of other unaffected elections shall be delayed until either it can be determined that the results of fraud affected election could have no effect on the final outcome or until the results of the re-election are obtained.

No official whose election is in question due to fraud shall assume office until it is determined that the election was free of fraud at a level sufficient to affect the outcome.

While onerous, these measures would provide both an assurance that the election was fair and honest, and great incentive to ensure that there was no significant fraud.

For those who would object that Congress cannot enact such measures because the Constitution puts control of elections under authority of each State, I cite the text of Article I, Section 4, Clause 1, of the U.S. Constitution:

" The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof; but the Congress may at any time by Law make or alter such Regulations, except as to the Places of chusing Senators." (my emphasis added)

If elections are vital to our national security, shouldn't we start treating them that way?

If elections are vital to our national security, shouldn't we start treating them that way?

If we conduct the 2026 midterm elections with current systems in place, we can have no assurance that the results will reflect the actual will of the voters. Ballot images coupled with dirty voter rolls, international internet access, ineffective or unused security measures, and lack of legal remedies all conspire against honest elections. Even if none of the fraud mechanisms were to be employed, the mere fact that we have such vulnerabilities in such a critical system should cause alarm and justify taking action to secure our elections.

Would you drive a car if you knew that more than half the time the brakes wouldn't work? Why should you trust an election where more than half the time the results could be determined by fraud?

Send this article to your Congressmen and demand action. Your voice has power—use it to good effect. If you want your vote to count, you need to make sure only legal votes are counted. It is truly our Nation and our Liberty that is at stake. This may be the most important act of your lifetime.

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