Hillsdale County Clerk Abe Dane is pushing back on claims of foreign election interference, saying local voting equipment is secure and not connected to the internet.
Dane issued the statement after President Donald Trump’s July 16 news conference referencing alleged Chinese interference in the 2020 election.
“I want to reassure the residents of Hillsdale County that our election equipment is highly secure, rigorously tested, and programmed locally,” Dane wrote. “Crucially, our ballot tabulators are completely disconnected from the internet.”
Dane said such claims often stem from misunderstandings about how elections are administered rather than firsthand knowledge of the process. He encouraged residents with concerns to contact local clerks.
“Anyone with specific questions is encouraged to speak directly with their township, city, or county clerk’s office — the professionals who work with these machines every day,” he wrote.
Michigan law requires the use of electronic tabulators, Dane said, and returning to hand-counted ballots would require significant legislative changes, including restructuring elections at the city, township, village and school levels.
The statement comes as officials prepare for the Aug. 4, 2026, primary election.
“I encourage all my fellow citizens to participate in the upcoming Aug. 4, 2026, primary election, get involved in your local government, and seek out verified, official sources for your election information,” Dane wrote.
— Contact reporter Corey Murray at cmurray@hillsdale.net or follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @cmurrayhdn.
This article originally appeared on Hillsdale Daily News: Clerk defends Hillsdale County election security after Trump remarks
Reporting by Corey J. Murray, Hillsdale Daily News / Hillsdale Daily News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Corey J. Murray, Hillsdale Daily News | USA TODAY Network
