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In a significant shift for the voting technology landscape, Dominion Voting Systems has been acquired by a newly formed entity called Liberty Vote. The company announced the change Thursday in a press release that stated, “As of today, Dominion is gone,” confirming that Liberty Vote has assumed “full ownership and operational control.” Visitors to Dominion’s website are now redirected to libertyvote.com.
The acquisition marks a turning point for Dominion, which became a lightning rod for controversy following the 2020 presidential election. Former President Donald Trump and his allies, including Rudy Giuliani, repeatedly made unfounded claims that Dominion’s voting machines were used to manipulate election results and divert votes away from Trump.
These allegations had serious consequences. One Dominion executive was forced into hiding due to threats, and the company launched multiple defamation lawsuits against those spreading the false claims. Most prominently, Dominion won a landmark $787.5 million settlement from Fox News in one of the largest defamation settlements in media history. Giuliani also recently reached a confidential settlement with the company after facing a similar lawsuit.
The timing of the acquisition comes against the backdrop of ongoing scrutiny of election systems. Earlier this year, an official from Trump’s Justice Department contacted county clerks in Missouri requesting inspections of Dominion voting equipment used in the 2020 election, highlighting continued interest in revisiting the election results despite numerous audits and court cases that found no evidence of widespread fraud.
Liberty Vote’s announcement includes language that appears to align with conservative priorities regarding elections. The company described the acquisition as “a bold and historic move to transform and improve election integrity in America.” The phrase “election integrity” has become a rallying cry among conservatives in recent years as they have pushed for various voting restrictions and changes to election administration.
The new company also emphasized its commitment to “[leveraging] hand-marked paper ballots enabling compliance with President Trump’s executive order, and ensuring election security and compliance with federal standards.” This appears to reference an executive order Trump issued in March regarding voting systems, though multiple federal judges have since blocked major portions of that order.
While Liberty Vote highlights hand-marked paper ballots as a priority, it’s worth noting that this method of voting is already predominant across the United States. The vast majority of American voters currently cast ballots using paper-based voting systems, which election security experts broadly consider more secure and verifiable than electronic-only systems.
Scott Leiendecker, the founder of Liberty Vote, brings significant experience in election administration to the new venture. He previously served as a Republican election director in St. Louis and later founded an election technology company that has been widely adopted by election officials across the country.
The acquisition comes at a critical moment for election technology providers, as the United States approaches the 2024 presidential election amid continued debate about election security and integrity. How this ownership change might affect the operations of what was formerly Dominion, or public perception of the voting systems, remains to be seen as Liberty Vote establishes its presence in the election technology marketplace.
The transaction’s financial details were not disclosed in the announcement, nor was information about whether the company’s voting systems would undergo significant technological changes under the new ownership.
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14 Comments
I’m curious to see how this rebranding will be received by election officials, voters, and other stakeholders. Transparency and accountability should be the top priorities for any voting technology company.
Agreed. The new name and ownership changes raise many questions that will need to be addressed openly and honestly if Liberty Vote wants to move forward with credibility.
It’s concerning to see a company involved in such significant defamation lawsuits undergo a rebranding like this. I hope the new entity can rebuild trust and demonstrate its commitment to transparent, ethical elections.
Agreed. The voting technology industry needs to focus on restoring public confidence, not further muddying the waters with branding changes.
This rebranding seems like an attempt to distance Dominion from the controversies surrounding the 2020 election. I wonder how this will impact ongoing legal battles and public perception of the company’s integrity.
The new name ‘Liberty Vote’ does raise some eyebrows given the political context. It will be interesting to see how this plays out in the court of public opinion.
A $787.5 million settlement is staggering. This highlights the severity of the false claims made against Dominion and the importance of combating misinformation, especially around critical democratic processes.
Absolutely. The scale of this settlement underscores the damage caused by the unfounded accusations. Rebuilding reputation and trust will be an uphill battle for the new Liberty Vote.
This rebranding feels like an attempt to move on from the controversies, but the new name ‘Liberty Vote’ seems to invite further political scrutiny. I hope the company can demonstrate its commitment to non-partisanship and election integrity.
Agreed. The new name is a curious choice that may raise more questions than it answers. Transparent communication and a focus on facts will be crucial as Liberty Vote seeks to establish its credibility.
It’s disheartening to see the level of misinformation and harassment that Dominion employees faced. Defamation lawsuits are an important tool for combating the spread of false claims, but the damage has already been done.
Absolutely. The personal toll on Dominion employees is deeply concerning. Rebuilding trust in the electoral process will require sustained efforts to counter disinformation and uphold democratic principles.
The scale of Dominion’s legal victories against Fox News and others is a significant milestone. It sends a strong message about the consequences of spreading disinformation, especially when it comes to core democratic processes.
Absolutely. These landmark defamation settlements underscore the importance of accountability for those who engage in the reckless propagation of false claims. It’s a cautionary tale for anyone tempted to undermine public trust in elections.