Far-right conspiracy theorists look to install themselves as poll workers, report says
Members of far-right social media platforms are gearing up to serve as official poll workers for the midterm elections, according to a new report obtained Monday by Politico.
The report, from a non-partisan research group called Advance Democracy Inc., reportedly found examples of users on Truth Social, the platform founded by former President Donald Trump, discussing their intent to identify voter fraud in the midterms. These discussions were reportedly seen in a variety of posts compiled from March to October of this year.
Politico said the users had talked about installing their own software into official election databases, as well as bringing cameras into polling places to watch voters. Many of them had also reportedly said they would falsely claim to be Democrats on their poll worker applications.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"Individuals seeking to become election workers to prove unsubstantiated theories of election fraud, or to disqualify certain votes to change election outcomes, present a threat to the security of American elections," the report said, per Politico.
In addition to Truth Social, similar posts were seen on other far-right social media platforms, Advance Democracy Inc. said. This includes sites like Gab and Gettr, where many conspiracy theories about voter fraud have been swirling. Many of these posts were tied to far-right groups such as QAnon and other similar conspiracy fringes.
Discourse among poll workers has reportedly become a significant concern in the leadup to the midterms, especially among groups who will try to install election-denying poll workers in key positions.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Justin Klawans has worked as a staff writer at The Week since 2022. He began his career covering local news before joining Newsweek as a breaking news reporter, where he wrote about politics, national and global affairs, business, crime, sports, film, television and other Hollywood news. Justin has also freelanced for outlets including Collider and United Press International.
-
Trump, Musk sink spending bill, teeing up shutdown
Speed Read House Republicans abandoned the bill at the behest of the two men
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Congress reaches spending deal to avert shutdown
Speed Read The bill would fund the government through March 14, 2025
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Luigi Mangione charged with murder, terrorism
Speed Read Magnione is accused of murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Ex-FBI informant pleads guilty to lying about Bidens
Speed Read Alexander Smirnov claimed that President Joe Biden and his son Hunter were involved in a bribery scheme with Ukrainian energy company Burisma
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
South Korea impeaches president, eyes charges
Speed Read Yoon Suk Yeol faces investigations on potential insurrection and abuse of power charges
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Biden sets new clemency record, hints at more
Speed Read President Joe Biden commuted a record 1,499 sentences and pardoned 39 others convicted of nonviolent crimes
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Mysterious drones roil New Jersey, prompt FBI inquiry
Speed Read State and federal officials are both stumped and concerned
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
South Korean president vows to fight removal
Speed Read Yoon Suk Yeol defended his martial law decree and said he will not step down, despite impeachment efforts
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published