Michigan: Election Worker Charged with Equipment Tampering

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Image copyright: Getty Images [via NBC News]

The Facts

  • James Holkeboer, a Republican-affiliated election worker in Kent County, Mich., has been charged with using a computer to commit a crime and falsifying records after witnesses alleged he placed a USB drive into an electronic poll book during the Aug. 2 primary.

  • The county's clerk, Lisa Posthumus Lyons, said Holkeboer wasn't a government employee, adding that the alleged breach didn't impact the primary as the files were already saved to the precinct's encrypted system. He faces up to nine years if convicted.

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The Spin

Democratic narrative

This latest development isn't a good look for the GOP, who were the very ones who peddled Trump's baseless and false claims of election fraud, and now, ironically, have seemingly been caught red-handed tampering in a poll. The charges against Holkeboer prove that those who violate Michigan's election laws will be caught and held accountable; meddlers beware.

Detroit Metro Times

Republican narrative

While this incident is certainly alarming and unacceptable, Holkeboer is one individual — who at this point has only been charged, not convicted — and doesn't represent an entire group of people. Lyons, a Republican herself, has been quick to condemn the alleged tampering and called for an aggressive investigation, which should be allowed to play out before jumping to conclusions.

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