LOCAL NEWS

GOP lawmaker alleges fraud in Utah primary election. State says otherwise

Jun 27, 2022, 6:23 PM | Updated: 9:04 pm

SALT LAKE CITY — A Republican state lawmaker raised a question about fraud in Utah’s GOP primary election in an inflammatory social media post over the weekend, but state officials say every voter — all eight of them — was able to cast a ballot for their preferred candidates.

Rep. Phil Lyman, R-Blanding, posted on Facebook early Sunday morning that he had several “reports” from people who claimed a voting machine changed their in-person vote for Sen. Mike Lee to Becky Edwards.

Lyman tried to get rid of the state’s mail-in voting system after making claims of election anomalies during the 2020 presidential election, offered no proof, but wrote, “Utah Voter Fraud?” over an image of the American flag.

Edwards and Ally Isom are challenging Lee in Tuesday’s GOP primary election.

The Utah Lieutenant Governor’s Office, which oversees elections in the state, saw social media posts alleging irregularities and looked into the claim.

Ryan Cowley, state elections director, said only eight voters in Wasatch County had used the machine.

“From everything we’ve seen, the votes were recorded correctly for those voters,” Cowley told KSL-TV and KSL Newsradio.

Cowley said the touch-screen ballot marking devices were set to a smaller font size to get all the races on one screen, squeezing the boxes closer together. He said that the font size has now been enlarged to make it easier for voters to make their choices.

Voters are given three opportunities to verify their selections, including a printed receipt before the vote is cast, Cowley explained. If a voter wants to make a correction, poll workers can spoil the ballot and give them a new one.

Joey Granger, Wasatch County clerk-auditor, said two of those eight voters asked for help from poll workers while using the machines.

“There were some issues, but the poll workers were able to resolve it, and the people confirmed that the ballots printed out the votes they wanted,” she told KSL. “I was unaware until the social media posts that somebody was a little disgruntled about the experience.”

Granger said no one said they had marked the ballot for Lee and it showed up as Edwards.

Edwards called Lyman’s claim of election fraud a “blatant and shameless” attempt to undermine the integrity of Utah elections.

“The right to vote is a cornerstone of our democratic republic, and Utahns should be deeply concerned, as I am, about false claims of election fraud. Extremists use this tactic in an attempt to sow seeds of doubt and ultimately dispute any result they disagree with,” Edwards tweeted.

Isom tweeted at Lyman, saying, “Your weekend conspiratorial texts about election security sent to Utah voters is what extreme voices do to politics. We need more straight talk from leaders, not more stunts. This further emphasizes the need for Utah to know their voice and vote matter.”

Edwards also called on Lee to condemn the false claims of election fraud.

“As we look forward to Election Day, our campaign has every confidence in Utah’s elected county clerks and the lieutenant governor’s office to oversee free and fair elections,” Lee campaign spokesman Matt Lusty said in a statement. “We thank them for their service.”

In his social media post, Lyman said the possibility of votes shifting after the receipt is printed is more concerning.

“The machines are programmed with functionality to do exactly that, switch votes,” he wrote. “We are finding evidence that the software absolutely has a back door.”

Cowley said he doesn’t know what Lyman is talking about. “I’m not aware of any back door,” he said, adding that an audit of the ballots is conducted after the election to verify they were counted accurately.

Utahns, Cowley said, can be confident the state conducts secure elections.

Lyman told KSL that he made the social media post to find out if anyone else was having an issue.

“I really wasn’t trying to stir up any controversy, but I want to find out if this is happening and get it resolved,” he said.

Lyman edited his original post saying he was asked to “adjust the tone” of it. He removed the image of the American flag and removed the word “urgent.”

KSL 5 TV Live

Local News

The owners of WaterCreek Nails and Spa said a break-in resulted in thousands of dollars worth of da...

Shelby Lofton

Downtown nail spa broken into, hate speech spray-painted on the wall

The owners of WaterCreek Nails and Spa said a break-in resulted in thousands of dollars worth of damage, but the hate speech left behind made the situation worse.

6 hours ago

A Utah Highway Patrol vehicle in Salt Lake City is pictured on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020. (Deseret Ne...

Mark Jones

UHP trooper injured in collision with alleged DUI driver

The Utah Highway Patrol says a 24-year-old man was taken into custody early Saturday morning after he was allegedly driving more than 100 mph and attempted to elude authorities.

9 hours ago

City officials in Eagle Mountain say a family of nine has been displaced following a house fire Sun...

Mark Jones

Eagle Mountain family safely escapes house fire, crews prevent home from being total loss

City officials in Eagle Mountain say a family of nine has been displaced following a house fire Sunday afternoon.

11 hours ago

Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Jeffrey R. Holland (center) records a histor...

Tad Walch, Deseret News

‘I’m planning on eternity’: President Holland rededicates historic St. George Utah Temple

President Jeffrey R. Holland rededicated the St. George Utah Temple, the oldest operating temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, after a major renovation.

12 hours ago

Viktoria Tibbitts, center, with her sister and mom. A fundraiser was held Sunday for Viktoria, who ...

Brianna Chavez

Dozens show up to Riverdale Denny’s to support employee hit by truck

A busy Sunday is meant to be expected, but this Sunday's workday was much more meaningful for employees at the Denny's on Riverdale Road.

13 hours ago

Lloyd D. Newell, the announcer and writer of the weekly Music & the Spoken Word broadcast for the p...

Devin Oldroyd

Lloyd Newell announces departure from ‘Music & the Spoken Word’

After 34 years, Lloyd Newell, host of the Tabernacle Choir’s “Music & the Spoken Word”, announced he is concluding his service next year.

14 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

Stylish room interior with beautiful Christmas tree and decorative fireplace...

Lighting Design

Create a Festive Home with Our Easy-to-Follow Holiday Prep Guide

Get ready for festive celebrations! Discover expert tips to prepare your home for the holidays, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for unforgettable moments.

Battery low message on mobile device screen. Internet and technology concept...

PC Laptops

9 Tips to Get More Power Out of Your Laptop Battery

Get more power out of your laptop battery and help it last longer by implementing some of these tips from our guide.

Users display warnings about the use of artificial intelligence (AI), access to malicious software ...

Les Olson

How to Stay Safe from Cybersecurity Threats

Read our tips for reading for how to respond to rising cybersecurity threats in 2023 and beyond to keep yourself and your company safe.

Design mockup half in white and half in color of luxury house interior with open plan living room a...

Lighting Design

Lighting Design 101: Learn the Basics

These lighting design basics will help you when designing your home, so you can meet both practical and aesthetic needs.

an antler with large horns int he wilderness...

Three Bear Lodge

Yellowstone in the Fall: A Wildlife Spectacle Worth Witnessing

While most people travel to this park in the summer, late fall in Yellowstone provides a wealth of highlights to make a memorable experience.

a diverse group of students raising their hands in a classroom...

Little Orchard Preschool

6 Benefits of Preschool for Kids

Some of the benefits of preschool for kids include developing independence, curiosity, and learning more about the world.

GOP lawmaker alleges fraud in Utah primary election. State says otherwise