Statement from the Honorable Jim Condos Vermont Secretary of State

August 11 2022

Good afternoon.

Thank you, Chairwoman Maloney, Ranking Member Comer, and the rest of the committee for the opportunity to testify today.

For the record, I am Jim Condos, Vermont’s 38^th Secretary of State and Chief Election Official.

Since taking office, my top priority has been the accessibility, security, accuracy and integrity of Vermont elections.

I am proud that Vermont is widely considered one of the most voter-friendly states in the country.

I am equally proud of the high marks Vermont has received from MIT’s Election Performance Index (EPI); a highly reputable, data-driven analysis of state election administration.

Vermont has scored 1^st in the nation on the EPI in both the 2016 and 2020 Presidential elections.

In Vermont, we utilize the gold standard of election integrity: a voter-marked paper ballot.

Since 2006, post-general election audits have provided assurances our elections have integrity.

These facts did not stop a man named Harry Anzbock from calling our office and leaving numerous threatening voicemails for my election team following the 2020 election.[1]

Those voicemails, colored with lewd and profane language, repeatedly told my staff that:

• Our time was up,
• We would be hanged or executed by firing squad,
• Our days were numbered,
• We would, and I quote, “get f*ing popped,”
• And to, “put a gun in your mouth and pull the trigger.”

These threats, and others, were coupled with the same conspiracy theories about the integrity of our elections former President Trump and his supporters continue to push to this day.

Lies so insidious they are driving people to make violent threats against sworn election officials just for doing their jobs.

The voicemails were so concerning one of my staff members suffered symptoms of PTSD and received extensive counseling while taking a leave of absence.

We have had to install new security features at my office building and worked with our Legislature and law enforcement to strengthen Vermont’s ability to investigate and prosecute threats like these.

Unfortunately, this story is not unique to Vermont.

This experience is shared by my colleagues around the country, some of whom have had to add 24/7 security.

As states, we can only do so much to respond.

We need Congress to ensure we have the support and tools necessary to keep our committed election workers safe, and we need to have dedicated financial resources available to administer secure, transparent, and fair elections.

No election official should have to fear for their lives while focused on their duties in service to our democracy: our democratic process cannot survive undefended attacks on the people we rely on to vote.

Thank you.

James C. Condos
Secretary of State

[1] https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/usa-election-threats/