DeKalb GA News

The Colorado GOP has unveiled audio recordings that they claim show Secretary of State Jena Griswold's office deliberately concealed a breach involving voting machine passwords to prevent a media uproar. The Gateway Pundit reported that Griswold’s office mistakenly published around 600 BIOS passwords for election equipment used in 63 out of Colorado’s 64 counties, as stated in an affidavit from the Colorado GOP.

This breach reportedly surfaced in August but is believed to have happened as early as June, just before the state’s primary election. The sensitive information remained on her website until late October. County clerks were not informed about this issue until it was made public by the Colorado GOP.

In an interview with Kyle Clark of 9News, Griswold attempted to minimize the incident by describing the leaked passwords as "partial." She mentioned they were only one part of two required passwords needed for operating election systems. Critics argue that unlike previous incidents involving outdated credentials, these passwords were current and posed significant risks.

The released audio captures conversations among Griswold's staff discussing how to avoid media attention over the leak. Deputy Secretary Christopher Beall was recorded saying, “We were not going to tell the clerks because doing so would have created the media storm we’re now facing.”

During discussions with Adams County Clerk Josh Zygielbaum, concerns were raised about training levels and response actions following the discovery of the breach. Zygielbaum expressed frustration over handling media inquiries and criticized keeping such information secret so close to an election.

Beall assured that steps are being taken to change passwords without impacting system operations and emphasized transparency moving forward.

Following these revelations, the Republican Party is demanding Griswold’s resignation, accusing her of compromising Colorado's electoral integrity.