The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee reportedly dismissed a staff member in Montana after video footage showed what might have been “tampering” of a ballot box.
DSCC staffer Laszlo Gendler was caught on camera touching and tugging on the ballot box twice during his visit to the Glacier County Satellite Office on the Blackfeet Reservation, which is under video surveillance.
Glacier County elections administrator, Crystal Cole, saw what Gendler did and forwarded the video to Montana Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen (R), who raised concerns over potential “tampering.”
When Cole asked Gendler why he touched the box, he claimed he was sent “to see how secure the box was,” she wrote to Jacobsen.
Cole was skeptical about Gendler’s excuse, noting that “the MT Dem Party failed to notify the Elections office” about sending anyone to check out the security of the ballot box.
“Footage has emerged of a D.C. Democratic staffer tampering with a ballot drop box in Glacier County,” Jacobsen commented.
“This isn’t speculation—it is on camera,” she added. “We are currently investigating this matter with the help of law enforcement and will continue to observe the actions of the Democratic Party of Montana under close watch.”
DSCC spokesperson David Bergstein acknowledged that Gendler had breached protocol concerning ballot boxes.
“Poll observers are instructed not to touch ballot boxes. This individual was attempting to ensure a new ballot box was secured to the wall, neither the ballot box nor ballots were affected,” Bergstein said in a statement.
According to a spokesperson for the secretary of state’s office, Richie Melby, Gendler’s information was turned over to the police.
“Our elections director was pleased that the individual was not able to remove the ballot box from the wall, although, as the election administrator signified in her email, the activity was certainly highly suspicious and concerning,” Melby noted.
However, Glacier County deputies examined the evidence and released Gendler without charges.
“The behavior captured in the video does not constitute a legitimate attempt to tamper with the ballot box or the electoral process,” Glacier County Attorney Terryl Matt stated.
Despite the lack of criminal charges, Gendler was terminated from his position.
