Election Integrity Tool Falsely Flags Living Voters as Deceased
Conservative activists used flawed data software to challenge legitimate ballots in Georgia.
1Flawed Tool Targets Voters
Conservative activists in Georgia utilized a data software tool called ELLY’s Election Monitor to identify allegedly suspicious voters. Max Clavijo, a Forsyth County election board member, used this system to challenge the validity of four voters he claimed were deceased. Investigations by ProPublica confirmed that all four individuals are alive and well.
2Origins of the Software
The ELLY tool was developed by Rick Richards, a member of the Election Integrity Network led by Cleta Mitchell. The software aggregates public information from tax documents, obituaries, and property websites like Zillow. Activists have promoted the tool as a definitive method to prove fraud and contest Republican losses in various states.
3Systemic Data Inaccuracies
The software lacks access to critical personal identifiers such as Social Security numbers or full birth dates, leading to frequent mismatches. Voting rights advocates and local election officials have repeatedly criticized the tool for being error-prone. In one instance, the software falsely flagged the spouse of a Cherokee County board member as dead.
4Challenging Voter Eligibility
Clavijo circulated documents questioning the eligibility of 69 voters in Forsyth County based on ELLY data. Beyond the false death claims, he alleged that other voters had moved out of state or registered under fictitious names. He admitted during a board meeting that he could not personally vouch for the data's accuracy.
5Voter Reaction to Claims
Affected voters expressed shock and anger at having their ballots challenged without prior verification. Alexis Ramirez, a nurse flagged as deceased, stated it was crazy to attempt such challenges without proof. Other voters, including those using initials, confirmed their identities and registration details were legitimate, refuting the claims made by the activists.
6Board Rejects Formal Challenges
The Forsyth County election board ultimately rejected the attempts to challenge the ballots. Board chair Barbara Luth criticized the process, noting that activists were bypassing formal legal procedures by pressuring individual members. Officials emphasized that the burden of proof rests entirely on the challengers to provide solid evidence through proper channels.
7Broader Political Context
This effort reflects a persistent movement among those who believe the 2020 election was stolen to contest Republican losses. Participants in the Election Integrity Network have outlined plans to provide data from over 3,000 counties to citizen monitors. The group aims to assert greater control over voting laws and election administration.
8Implications for Election Integrity
The incident highlights the risks of using unverified, automated data tools to influence election certification processes. While developers claim they only provide data for maintenance, the use of such software to target specific voters creates significant administrative burdens. Future election integrity efforts may face increased scrutiny regarding the reliability of their sources.
Original article: ProPublica — Election Integrity Tool Falsely Flags Living Voters as Deceased