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Federal Election Official Under Fire for Unfounded Claims About Immigrant Voting
Oregon Secretary of State Tobias Read called Friday for the removal of a top federal election official who claimed Democrats depend on “illegal citizens” to win elections, igniting controversy over political neutrality within the nation’s election oversight body.
Christy McCormick, one of four commissioners on the bipartisan U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC), made the contentious remarks during a Wednesday panel discussion hosted by the America First Policy Institute, a think tank closely aligned with former President Donald Trump.
During the hour-long session focused on election fraud, McCormick suggested Democrats oppose voting restrictions because “they need open borders, they need illegal citizens to increase their votes. And this is why they’re fighting so adamantly against us to try to prevent that from happening.”
Read, a Democrat elected in 2022 who serves on the commission’s 110-member standards board, condemned McCormick’s statements as dangerous misinformation that undermines electoral integrity.
“It’s un-American to spread lies that sow fear and paranoia in the heart of our democracy,” Read said. “Our founders built this nation on free and fair elections. Generations of Americans fought and died to defend them. Commissioner McCormick’s false claims dishonor that sacrifice. She betrayed the trust of the people she was meant to serve.”
The EAC plays a crucial role in America’s electoral system despite elections being primarily administered by states. The commission accredits laboratories that test voting systems, certifies voting equipment, and develops comprehensive guidance for election officials nationwide.
During the same panel discussion, McCormick described receiving seven mailed ballots at her California residence for a current election on mid-decade redistricting, claiming only two were intended for her family. She admitted considering casting the other five ballots “just to see if the state would count them” – a suggestion that runs counter to her role as an elections integrity official.
California and Oregon both employ signature verification systems, comparing signatures on ballot envelopes to voters’ signatures on file, and encourage voters to contact election officials if they receive ballots in error.
The Election Assistance Commission was established in 2002 as an independent agency with four commissioners appointed by the president – two Republicans and two Democrats. Despite their partisan affiliations, commissioners McCormick and Donald Palmer (Republicans) and Thomas Hicks and Benjamin Hovland (Democrats) are expected to maintain impartiality and independence in their oversight duties.
This isn’t McCormick’s first brush with controversy. Despite being appointed by Democratic President Barack Obama in 2014, she later publicly dismissed reports of Russian interference in the 2016 election as “deceptive propaganda perpetrated on the American public” by the Obama administration, according to ProPublica. In 2017, she served on an advisory commission created by then-President Trump to investigate his unsubstantiated claims that millions voted illegally for Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election.
The EAC’s ability to respond to the controversy is currently hampered by the ongoing federal government shutdown, with agency spokespeople furloughed and without access to official communication channels.
The controversy highlights growing tensions over election administration in America, where officials tasked with ensuring fair elections increasingly face scrutiny over their political neutrality. Critics argue that unfounded claims about election fraud from officials responsible for election oversight can severely damage public trust in the democratic process, potentially affecting voter turnout and acceptance of election results.
The EAC’s reputation as an impartial arbiter of election standards hangs in the balance as calls for McCormick’s resignation mount from election officials across the country.
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8 Comments
Voters deserve election officials who will put facts and democratic principles first, not partisan agendas. The public’s faith in the electoral process is fragile and must be protected. I hope this commissioner is removed and replaced with someone committed to impartiality.
This is a concerning development that speaks to the larger erosion of norms around election integrity in the US. Elected officials making unsubstantiated allegations of fraud is deeply irresponsible and corrosive to democracy. A full accounting and consequences are warranted.
This is a concerning situation. Spreading unsubstantiated claims about illegal voting undermines the public’s trust in our electoral system. As election officials, it’s critical to remain impartial and focus on upholding the integrity of the democratic process.
I appreciate Oregon’s Secretary of State taking a strong stand against this disinformation. Elected officials must be held accountable for making false and inflammatory statements that sow division. Integrity in our elections should be a non-partisan priority.
This commissioner’s statements are deeply troubling. Implying that Democrats rely on ‘illegal citizens’ to win elections is a dangerous falsehood that plays into conspiracy theories. Election officials must uphold the highest standards of nonpartisanship and honesty.
Unfounded allegations of widespread voter fraud are extremely concerning. As an election official, making such claims without evidence is reckless and undermines the stability of our democracy. Robust election security and voter access should be the top priorities.
I agree completely. Spreading disinformation about election integrity is unacceptable, regardless of political affiliation. Voters must be able to trust that their voices are being heard.
I’m glad to see Oregon’s Secretary of State taking a firm stance against these spurious claims. Maintaining public trust in the electoral process should be the paramount concern for all election officials, not pushing a partisan agenda. Resignation is the appropriate outcome here.