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Rep. Calvert Statement on California Ballot Harvesting Report

May 13, 2020

Today, Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-42) released the following statement in response to the "Political Weaponization of Ballot Harvesting in California" report issued by Committee on House Administration Ranking Member Rodney Davis:

"The legalization of ballot harvesting is an open invitation to voter fraud. As I have confirmed with election officials in California and is highlighted throughout this report, Democrats in my home state have authorized a ballot harvesting scheme with no safeguards, transparency, or voter protections. By allowing paid campaign operatives and individuals who aren't even eligible to vote to anonymously collect and handle an unlimited number of ballots, Democrats in California have effectively erased any notion of ballot security in our elections. After designing a system with no transparency and chain of custody requirements, California Democrats have effectively covered their tracks and concealed evidence that could demonstrate fraud and abuse. I want to thank Ranking Member Rodney Davis and the House Administration Committee's Republican staff for its work on this important issue and shining a spotlight on this growing threat to the faith American's have in our democratic elections."

Last year, Rep. Calvert sent a letter containing a series of questions about ballot harvesting to the Riverside County Registrar of Voters. The response exposed serious ballot harvesting liabilities that could jeopardize the integrity of our elections. As noted in the House Administration report, Rep. Calvert has attempted to offer amendments restricting the use of ballot harvesting to relevant election legislation before the House, however the Democratic majority blocked consideration of the amendments on the House floor.