Elon Musk recently expressed his concerns about the use of electronic voting machines in elections, citing the risk of potential hacking by humans or artificial intelligence. This comes in response to reports that Puerto Rico is reviewing their contract with Dominion Voting Systems after a software issue caused discrepancies in vote counts during their recent primary elections.
According to reports from the Associated Press, Dominion machines in Puerto Rico produced lower vote counts than paper tallies in some instances, with machines even reversing totals or showing zero votes for certain candidates. This has raised concerns about the accuracy and reliability of electronic voting systems.
In light of these issues, the President of Puerto Rico’s House of Representatives, José Varela, has called for a public hearing to address the problems with Dominion’s voting machines. The aim is to ensure the integrity of the electoral process and restore public confidence ahead of the general elections scheduled for November.
The recent discrepancies in Puerto Rico’s primary elections have brought to mind previous election mishaps, such as the botched 2020 primaries where a shortage of ballots led to rescheduled voting. These incidents highlight the importance of maintaining a secure and reliable voting system to uphold the democratic process.
In addition to the concerns raised in Puerto Rico, there have been similar issues reported in other states, such as Georgia, where a federal judge identified security and transparency issues with electronic voting machines. Despite these findings, the judge allowed the continued use of the machines while acknowledging the risks they pose to the integrity of the voting process.
Furthermore, reports of foreign nationals remotely accessing voting machines in Michigan during the 2020 elections have raised further questions about the security of electronic voting systems. These incidents underscore the need for greater transparency and accountability in the use of technology in elections.
As the debate around electronic voting machines continues, it is essential to address the vulnerabilities and potential risks associated with these systems to safeguard the democratic process. The upcoming general elections in Puerto Rico and other states serve as a critical test for the reliability and security of electronic voting machines, with the hope of ensuring fair and accurate election results for all citizens.