Thread by @weareoversight

We obtained emails illustrating how election conspiracy theorists — including those who had been active in the Arizona “audit” — sought to export their politicized fraud-hunting to New Hampshire after the 2020 election. #FoiaFriday
americanoversight.org/in-the-documen…

In November 2020, lies about voter fraud descended on a local race for the state House in Windham, N.H. A recount that had been requested by the losing candidate confirmed the outcome of the election, but resulted in significantly different vote margins.

The discrepancy was revealed to be an anomaly, but it became the focus of “conspiracy theorists trying to sow doubt in the legitimacy of the 2020 presidential election … despite a lack of evidence that the issue in Windham is in any way systemic.”
nhpr.org/nh-news/2021-0…

In April 2021, state lawmakers passed a bill to conduct an official audit of votes in Windham. Upon its conclusion in July, the completed audit found that the vote discrepancies were the result of a “unique set of circumstances … and are not likely to reoccur.”

Before and after the audit bill was passed, Ken Eyring, a “Big Lie” activist from Windham, sent emails to state Sec. of State Bill Gardner, who led audit planning. Eyring attempted to connect Gardner with people who could provide “first-hand insights” from the Arizona “audit.”

In March 2021, Eyring connected Gardner with Russ Ramsland and Phil Waldron, who had both been active in helping to plan the Arizona “audit.” Waldron, a retired Army colonel, had also participated in Trump’s efforts to overturn the election.

Text messages we obtained show Eyring followed up with Gardner about scheduling the meeting with the “forensic experts.”

Following the audit bill’s passage, Eyring also sought to connect Gardner with Ken Bennett — Arizona’s former secretary of state who served as the liaison between the Arizona Senate and “audit” contractors — through Arizona Rep. Mark Finchem, a vocal supporter of election lies.

In May of this year, Eyring — who has promoted conspiracy theories about voter fraud — was appointed to a “voter confidence” commission by current NH Secretary of State David Scanlan.

We’re using public records requests to track and investigate this network working to discredit democracy and undermine confidence in elections. Read more about the latest in our investigation here:
americanoversight.org/in-the-documen…