Someone attempted to get access to Lake County’s election network to locate proof of voting fraud, according to Ohio.
According to The Washington Post, federal and local officials are looking into what happened when a personal laptop was linked onto the county network in Republican Lake County Board of Commissioners Chairman John Hamercheck’s office. A representative for the Ohio Secretary of State confirmed the probe, stating no voter data or board information was hacked. Lake County’s security system, according to The Post, functioned. Although the computer was connected to the county network, the board of elections operates on its network that only recognizes approved devices. The Lake County Board of Elections Director Ross McDonald told The Post, “We are delighted that our infrastructure remained solid.”
Hamercheck did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but he told The Washington Post that he was warned not to say anything about the probe, including whether or not he was involved. According to The Washington Post, Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose believes a government official assisted in the hack. In an interview with The Washington Post, LaRose said, “It’s concerning that someone — especially someone in a government office, someone who is an elected official, or someone who is a part of county government — would not realize all of those safeguards exist and would try to engage in some sort of vigilante investigation.” “The good news is that Ohio’s cyber security system is one of the best in the country.”
Whether or not anyone involved in the attempted breach should face criminal charges will be decided by Lake County and federal prosecutors. This isn’t the first time a local election board in Ohio has had to deal with a hacking effort. Earlier this month, the FBI searched the house of a clerk in Mesa County, Colorado. Tina Peters, the clerk, is accused of making unauthorized copies of the Dominion Voting System hard drives in her county. Former President Donald Trump and his supporters have regularly mentioned Dominion in election conspiracy claims. Tina Peters, the clerk, is accused of making unauthorized copies of the Dominion Voting System hard drives in her county. Former President Donald Trump and his supporters have regularly mentioned Dominion in election conspiracy claims.
