In a shocking revelation, Hinds County District 2 Supervisor David Archie (D) is crying foul in Mississippi’s Democratic primary. Accusing his own party of orchestrating what he calls a “high-tech election heist,” Archie’s claims bring voter fraud concerns to the forefront — within the Democratic Party, no less. This unfolding drama isn’t just a local affair but a crucial test for nationwide election integrity.
According to Hinds County election officials, Archie was defeated by challenger Anthony Smith by a margin of 63% of the vote. But Archie isn’t walking away quietly. Demanding a ballot box review of the Aug. 8 primary results, he claims the Hinds County Democratic Party provided him only with paper ballots, omitting crucial secondary confirmation measures like voter signature books, digital images of the ballots, and thumb drives from the voting machines.
NEW: Mississippi Democrat county supervisor David Archie says he has video evidence of voting machines being tampered with to ensure his primary opponent won.
This could never happen in America!
Archie allegedly has video footage of Democratic Executive Committee Chair… pic.twitter.com/lgOrvxGlQN
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) September 2, 2023
“We have videotape of Jacque Amos going into boxes, bringing in thumb drives, bringing in ballots to be inserted into machines,” Archie proclaimed at a press conference. For those unfamiliar, Jacqueline Amos is the chairperson of the Hinds County Democratic Executive Committee, someone who, as Archie aptly pointed out, “must be impartial to any and all elections here in Hinds County.”
According to an alleged text exchange between Amos and an unidentified individual, that doesn’t seem to be the case. In this conversation, Amos reportedly states her intent to harm Archie’s election prospects, using rather explicit language.
The local community shares Archie’s concerns. Taylor Pedigo, a District 2 resident, noted how Anthony Smith, a relative unknown, “came out the gate with a huge lead.” Likewise, Cynthia Johnson-Walker, who participated in the ballot recount, stated, “I can’t go anywhere but count those paper ballots. That does not tell us anything.”
Amos responded by saying the committee conducted the primary “in keeping with applicable state law” and that they “stand ready for the challenge and will cooperate however necessary.” But isn’t the integrity of an election about more than just following the letter of the law? It’s about instilling confidence in a process central to democracy.
Archie isn’t just an aggrieved candidate; he’s a civil rights activist and an ACLU supporter. His accusations spotlight glaring inconsistencies that can erode faith in the electoral system. If we genuinely care about free and fair elections, shouldn’t Archie’s claims be scrutinized, irrespective of party affiliations?
Archie is now calling for Jacqueline Amos to resign from her position, threatening to file criminal charges for alleged election meddling. This drama sends a clear signal to the nation: If Democrats in Mississippi can’t ensure the integrity of their own elections, how can the public trust the process elsewhere?
While voter fraud remains a contentious issue often split along partisan lines, Archie’s case reminds us that a genuine commitment to democracy requires vigilance from all sides.
