Ex-GOP Election Official Acquires Dominion, Advocates for Paper Ballots
Dominion Voting Systems has undergone a significant transformation, now rebranded as Liberty Vote. This change follows the company’s acquisition by Scott Leiendecker, a former Republican election official and founder of an election technology firm in Missouri. The announcement of the sale came this week, with details shared in a press release.
Acquisition Details
Liberty Vote is now in full operational control of the former Dominion company. Leiendecker aims to enhance public trust in the electoral process, advocating for a shift towards paper ballots. “Liberty Vote is committed to delivering election technology that prioritizes paper-based transparency, security, and simplicity,” Leiendecker stated.
Goals of Liberty Vote
The company outlined several key objectives, many mirroring initiatives promoted by the Trump administration:
- Transitioning to a paper ballot system
- Ensuring 100% American ownership of operations
- Facilitating third-party audits of election systems
- Complying with election integrity measures
Focus on Paper Ballots
Liendecker emphasized the importance of using hand-marked paper ballots. This reflects ongoing discussions within the electoral community about voting transparency. It is noteworthy that over 98% of voters in the US already reside in areas that provide fully auditable paper trails.
Past Controversies and Impact on the Industry
Before the 2020 election, Dominion was relatively unknown. Accusations of election fraud against the company became widespread following Trump’s loss. These claims, including conspiracy theories about vote-flipping, were thoroughly debunked yet still propagated by various high-profile individuals.
Defamation Cases
Post-election, Dominion took legal action against several media outlets and personalities for defamation. This included significant settlements, such as Fox News agreeing to pay over $787 million, marking one of the largest defamation cases in US media history.
Future Outlook
Under its new branding, Liberty Vote aims to restore confidence in the electoral process while ensuring compliance with prior executive orders by the Trump administration. As the company moves forward, it will maintain a presence in Canada, while also promising to employ domestic staffing and software development.
Expert Opinions
David Becker, an election industry expert, raised questions about the implications of the acquisition for states currently under contract with Dominion. He noted that KNOWiNK, the technology firm founded by Leiendecker, has a favorable reputation in the voting technology sector.
The rebranding of Dominion to Liberty Vote marks a pivotal moment in the voting technology landscape, focusing heavily on restoring the public’s trust through transparency and security in electoral processes.
