Colorado’s political scene was rocked by the news that for an alarming duration – from June until October – BIOS passwords for voting machine tabulation scattered over 32 of the state’s 64 counties were inappropriately exposed on a hidden spreadsheet tab. This shocking revelation happened just before the November elections, leaving residents statewide greatly perturbed and concerned about the potential impact on voting security and integrity.
The visibility of the compromising information was eliminated not before October 24. Astoundingly, it was the Colorado Republican Party who had the task of informing their members about the security breach via an email, dated October 29, proving party proactiveness on their part in these grave matters. The Democrats remained conspicuous by their silence, prompting questions about their commitment to transparency and electoral integrity.
While the BIOS password can grant access to the foundational software of the voting machine, it’s not enough to tamper with the electoral process – that would require physical proximity to the machine. However, it does not alleviate the serious weight of the situation or the incompetence and negligence displayed by the Democratic Secretary of State. These machines were disseminated across Coloradan counties, safeguarded by vigilant cameras and the access was strictly restricted to a few employees with background checks.
Democratic Secretary of State Jena Griswold hastily guaranteed that despite this alarming situation, the voting equipment was still secure. However, the county clerks, responsible for elections execution, admitted their new-found knowledge of the scenario only after the Colorado GOP’s informative email, again pointing towards a lack of transparency and leadership on the Democrats’ side, thus damaging public trust.
Griswold went on to merit the incident as an ‘accident’, a disturbingly casual response to an extremely serious situation. As per her, a former employee compiled the spreadsheet with the hidden tab who conveniently exited earlier this year upon friendly terms. A subsequent employee, completely oblivious of the hidden tab, posted the spreadsheet online, a display of alarming negligence in an arena as critical as democratic elections.
Registering severe violations of department regulations and protocols, the Secretary of State’s office accepted that the passwords were stored in unsafeguarded plain text on the spreadsheet. A personnel review is currently underway, but the damage to public trust has been done. By failing to promptly divulge this critical error, trust in the Democratic administration has been irrefutably bruised.
Numerous investigations are operational currently. Legal pros Beth Quinn and J. Mark Baird from Baird Quinn LLC are heading an examination for the Secretary of State’s office. Concurrently, the Denver District’s Attorney’s office is also conducting a probe for three District Attorneys’ offices that have reciprocated with investigation requests due to the massive blunder committed under Griswold’s watch.
According to Colorado law, knowing and then revealing passwords and sensitive voting equipment data constitute a felony. With that in consideration, an individual who is conversant with the ongoing District Attorney investigation clarified that Secretary Jena Griswold is not the target of investigation herself, so far, as there’s no evidence of criminal activities.
Despite this clarification, the Colorado Republican Party and numerous influential members have vehemently called for Griswold’s resignation. Demonstrating robust leadership and accountability, the state party chairman, Dave Williams, categorized the entire episode as an immense display of incompetence and irresponsibility, which the initial responses from the state have only extended, rather than mitigated.
In a further demonstration of preparedness and action, the Trump campaign egregiously demanded a reset of the voting machines across Colorado counties and also a vote recount. The campaign’s immediate response contrasted with the Democratic-led administration’s negligence, serving as a stark example of the different values that underpin the two parties.
Adding to the complexity of the matter, the bipartisan Legislative Audit Committee will hold discussions in December to determine whether the state auditor should carry out investigations into the mismanaged Secretary of State’s office. However, the Democrats are inclined towards waiting before any conclusions are drawn, a stance that once again raises suspicion and doubts about their commitment to a fully transparent and accountable democratic process.
Attempting damage mitigation, Democratic Governor Jared Polis expressed a desire to understand what has occurred, yet with no specific plan or action mentioned. It seems, the comments from the Republicans, who repeatedly call for transparency, accountability and immediate action, are falling on deaf ears. In desperate defense, Griswold foregrounded her past support for Colorado’s election system and pointed to denied requests for augmented funding as a scapegoat.
All this serves as a reminder of the serious difference in the values embedded by the Democratic and Republican parties regarding data security, election processes and accountability. While the Republicans took actions effectively and were transparent throughout, the Democrats, especially Griswold, have been marred by negligence, opacity and mere lip service. The alarm bells are sounding; it’s up to the residents of Colorado to decide who they trust to safeguard their democratic rights.