A surveillance video from Glacier County, Montana has sparked controversy over potential election security concerns.
According to The Western Journal, an employee of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) was terminated after being caught on camera allegedly tampering with a ballot drop box.
The incident occurred on Sunday when election administrator Crystal Cole observed surveillance footage showing an individual, later identified as Laszlo Gendler, making physical contact with a ballot drop box.
Gendler, who had been employed by the Washington, D.C.-based DSCC, was seen tugging on the box in what appeared to be an attempt to test its security.
The DSCC responded to the incident by immediately terminating Gendler's employment. A spokesperson for the organization acknowledged that while the staff member claimed to be checking the security of a newly installed ballot box, his actions violated established protocols and procedures.
Financial records reveal that Gendler was not a volunteer but a paid employee of the DSCC, earning over $42,900 between September 2023 and August 2024. This detail has raised additional concerns about the nature of his activities at the ballot box location.
The incident has drawn significant attention due to its potential implications for the highly contested Montana Senate race between incumbent Democrat Jon Tester and Republican challenger Tim Sheehy. Recent polling data shows Tester trailing behind Sheehy in what could be a decisive race for Senate control.
Cole filed a formal complaint with the Montana Secretary of State's office regarding the incident. When contacted about his actions, Gendler provided the following explanation:
MT Dem Party did not notify the Elections office they would be sending someone to the Ballot Box to check how secure it was, so on camera it looks like he was tamering with the box
National Republican Senatorial Committee spokeswoman Maggie Abboud expressed strong criticism of the incident. She stated:
This video is incredibly damning. Jon Tester and Senate Democrats know they are losing to Tim Sheehy, so it appears they are trying to cheat in the election
The timing of the incident has heightened existing tensions surrounding election integrity in Montana. With former President Donald Trump maintaining strong support in the state and the Senate race hanging in the balance, both parties are closely scrutinizing election security measures.
The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee maintains that Gendler's actions, while unauthorized, were intended to verify the security of a new ballot box installation. However, the lack of prior coordination with local election officials has raised questions about proper protocols and oversight.
The controversy emerges at a critical time when control of the Senate hangs in the balance. Montana's Senate race is considered one of the key battlegrounds that could determine which party holds the majority in the next Congress.
The incident has prompted local election officials to review security protocols and surveillance measures around ballot drop boxes. The situation highlights the delicate balance between ensuring election security and maintaining public trust in the voting process.
