Voting machines altered before 2024 election: Did Kamala Harris actually win?
Former President Donald Trump emerged victorious in the 2024 U.S. presidential election, securing 312 electoral votes to defeat Vice President Kamala Harris, who garnered 226.
Despite the clear national outcome, a lawsuit in Rockland County, New York, has sparked controversy by alleging that voting machines were altered before the election, raising questions about the accuracy of local election results.
The lawsuit, filed by SMART Legislation, the action arm of SMART Elections, claims that changes to voting machines may have affected the Presidential and U.S. Senate races in Rockland County.
As the case progresses, it highlights broader concerns about election security and public trust in the democratic process.
Official Election Results
The 2024 presidential election saw unprecedented voter turnout, with over 154 million votes cast nationwide.
Donald Trump’s victory marked a historic political comeback, as he became the first president to return to office after losing a previous term.
Trump secured key swing states, including Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Georgia, pushing him past the 270 electoral vote threshold needed to win.
On November 6, 2024, Vice President Kamala Harris conceded the election in a speech at Howard University, her alma mater, in Washington, D.C.
“When we lose an election, we accept the results,” Harris said, emphasizing the importance of a peaceful transfer of power, a pointed contrast to Trump’s refusal to concede in 2020.
Harris called Trump to congratulate him and pledged to assist with the transition.
The national results were certified by the Electoral College on December 17, 2024, confirming Trump as the 47th president of the United States.
The Lawsuit in Rockland County
In Rockland County, New York, a legal challenge has cast doubt on the integrity of the local election results.
SMART Legislation, in partnership with SMART Elections, filed a lawsuit against the Rockland County Board of Elections, alleging that voting machines manufactured by Election Systems & Software (ES&S) were altered before the November 5, 2024, election.
The changes, reportedly made by Pro V&V, a federally accredited laboratory, included new ballot scanners, printer adjustments, updated firmware, and a new Electionware reporting system.
These modifications were labeled as “de minimis” tweaks, meaning they did not require full public review or testing, according to the lawsuit.
The plaintiffs cite specific discrepancies in the election results.
For instance, more voters have sworn under oath that they voted for independent U.S. Senate candidate Diane Sare than the official results certified by the Rockland County Board of Elections, as detailed in a press release from SMART Elections.
Additionally, the presidential election results in Rockland County show statistical anomalies, including multiple districts where hundreds of voters supported Democratic Senate candidate Kirsten Gillibrand but none selected Kamala Harris for president.
A statistical analysis by Max Bonamente, Ph.D., a professor at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, found that the 2024 presidential election results were “highly unlikely” in four of the five towns in Rockland County when compared to 2020 results.
On May 29, 2025, Judge Rachel Tanguay of the New York Supreme Court ruled that the lawsuit could proceed to the discovery phase, allowing SMART Legislation to gather evidence to support their claims.
The lawsuit seeks a full hand recount of the Presidential and U.S. Senate races in Rockland County to verify the accuracy of the results.
“There is clear evidence that the Senate results are incorrect, and there are statistical indications that the presidential results are highly unlikely,” said Lulu Friesdat, Founder and Executive Director of SMART Legislation.
| Details of Lawsuit | Information |
|---|---|
| Plaintiffs | SMART Legislation, Diane Sare, Mark Murphy, Adam Mocio |
| Defendant | Rockland County Board of Elections |
| Claims | Voting machines altered; discrepancies in Senate vote counts; statistical anomalies in presidential race |
| Court Ruling | Discovery to proceed, as ruled by Judge Rachel Tanguay on May 29, 2025 |
| Next Court Date | September 22, 2025 |
Background on Voting Machines and Security
The voting machines at the center of the controversy are manufactured by Election Systems & Software (ES&S), a company that provides voting technology to over 40% of U.S. counties.
The alleged alterations were carried out by Pro V&V, a federally accredited laboratory overseen by the Election Assistance Commission (EAC).
The EAC, responsible for certifying voting systems, has faced criticism for its slow and vague process for revoking accreditation, as noted in the lawsuit.
Pro V&V’s website is currently inaccessible, and its director, Jack Cobb, has not responded to inquiries.
Election security experts have long highlighted the vulnerabilities of electronic voting machines.
Outdated systems can lead to technical glitches, long lines, and lost votes, according to the Brennan Center.
J. Alex Halderman, a professor of computer science and engineering at the University of Michigan, has uncovered vulnerabilities in U.S. election systems, emphasizing the need for robust safeguards like paper ballots and post-election audits.
“Without proper checks and balances, even small changes to voting technology can have significant impacts on election outcomes,” Halderman said.
The lack of a public challenge system and independent oversight in Rockland County has been a focal point of the lawsuit.
The plaintiffs argue that the absence of transparency in the certification process undermines voter confidence.
Implications and Ongoing Developments
The lawsuit in Rockland County is unlikely to alter the national election outcome, as Trump’s victory was secured with a substantial electoral vote margin.
However, if the plaintiffs’ claims are substantiated, the case could lead to the decertification of local election results and potentially trigger state-level investigations or criminal probes.
The outcome could also prompt reforms in how voting machines are certified and monitored nationwide.
As of June 2025, Pro V&V remains accredited by the EAC, and no investigations into the alleged alterations have been announced.
The Rockland County Board of Elections and ES&S have not publicly responded to the allegations.
Expert Opinions and Counterarguments
The controversy in Rockland County has reignited debates about election integrity, a topic that has been contentious since the 2020 election.
While the lawsuit raises serious concerns, some experts urge caution until evidence is fully examined.
“Election systems are designed with multiple layers of security, including paper trails and audits, to prevent widespread fraud,” said Benjamin Hovland, a former EAC commissioner.
However, critics like Friesdat argue that the lack of transparency in the certification process is a significant issue.
“Voters deserve to know that their votes are being counted accurately and fairly,” she said.
The Brennan Center has been tracking election-related rumors, noting that claims of voting machine tampering are often unverified but can erode public trust.
In Texas, for example, officials found no evidence of compromised voting systems in 2024, as stated by the Texas Secretary of State.
Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential election victory is undisputed, with Kamala Harris conceding and the Electoral College confirming the results.
However, the ongoing lawsuit in Rockland County underscores persistent concerns about the security of electronic voting systems.
As the case moves forward, it will be closely watched for its potential to influence election administration practices and restore public confidence in the democratic process.
For now, the focus remains on ensuring that every vote is counted accurately and that the electoral system remains transparent and secure.
