Newly released undercover footage appears to show a Democrat operative in Georgia describing events and methods that allegedly helped Democrats gain an edge in the 2020 election, sparking renewed debate over election integrity.
The video, posted by conservative commentator Stephen Crowder on X (formerly known as Twitter), features Joel Caldwell, Operations Director for the Georgia Coalition for the People’s Agenda, discussing tactics used in Atlanta during the election. Caldwell’s statements address issues surrounding a burst water pipe at the State Farm Arena, ballot harvesting, and strategies to increase Democratic vote counts in heavily Democratic areas.
One of the more controversial parts of Caldwell’s discussion centers on the burst water pipe that led to the evacuation of the State Farm Arena during the election’s vote-counting phase. Caldwell states that the water pipe incident allowed election officials to send Republican poll watchers home, while Democratic observers allegedly stayed behind. According to Caldwell, Democratic operatives were then able to oversee the resumption of vote counting in the absence of Republican observers. This event has been widely cited in accusations of election irregularities, with many claiming it was a tactic to exclude Republican oversight.
The footage shows Caldwell commenting on the resumption of counting after Republicans left, claiming that the process led to skewed results. He notes that the vote count in one Atlanta locality showed only around 100 votes for former President Donald Trump, which he characterized as “statistically impossible.” Caldwell explains, “Statistically, you’re downtown. There’s going to be more than a hundred votes for Trump.” He suggests this outcome was manipulated due to the absence of Republican observers, raising questions about the fairness of the vote count in that locality.
In addition to his comments on the water pipe incident, Caldwell also addressed alleged ballot-harvesting efforts, which he describes as being aimed at maximizing Democratic votes. He mentioned specific instances of what he called “ballot harvesting,” where operatives supposedly collected ballots from senior care facilities and dropped them into collection boxes en masse. He cited an example of a man reportedly delivering “a hundred ballots in [a] box,” something Caldwell acknowledged was prohibited under Georgia’s election laws. In his words, “You can’t do that sh*t,” acknowledging that such actions were illegal, yet he claims they were conducted by various groups that were “paying people to do just that.”
Ballot harvesting—the practice of collecting and submitting absentee or mail-in ballots on behalf of other voters—has been a contentious issue in many states. While some argue that it can help voters who face barriers to delivering their ballots, others, especially Republicans, believe it opens the door to fraud. Laws around ballot harvesting vary by state; in Georgia, strict limits are placed on who may deliver ballots for others, with only close family members or caregivers legally allowed to do so.
Caldwell’s comments echo past allegations surrounding Georgia’s election procedures, specifically in Fulton County, which has been a focal point for those who believe the election was not conducted fairly. While Republican concerns over the county’s election practices date back years, the 2020 election put the county’s procedures under intense national scrutiny. After the election, Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger certified the results, a move that led some Republican voters to accuse him of not taking election integrity concerns seriously. According to The National Pulse, Raffensperger has since dedicated time to fundraising for groups that push back against accusations of voter fraud.
This latest video is likely to heighten the already polarized conversation about Georgia’s election policies. Crowder’s “MugClub Army,” as his supporters are known, has since urged the public to be aware of such activities in anticipation of future elections, particularly as the 2024 presidential election approaches. Crowder’s team claims this footage is a warning about potential misconduct and is calling on voters and officials alike to ensure election integrity.
The video has also raised questions about the transparency and security measures implemented in Georgia’s election process. Supporters of stricter election laws see this footage as proof that laws need to be enforced or tightened to prevent similar incidents from occurring in future elections. Those who believe the 2020 election was fair see these accusations as unsubstantiated and argue that Caldwell’s statements do not reflect widespread issues.
Election officials in Georgia have previously conducted multiple recounts and audits of the 2020 results, including a full hand recount of all ballots. Raffensperger’s office maintains that these audits and recounts confirmed the accuracy of the vote count, providing evidence to counter claims of fraud or irregularities. However, debates over the measures in place continue, with some calling for additional legislative reforms to address perceived vulnerabilities.
The video adds yet another chapter to the ongoing political drama around election integrity, particularly in key battleground states like Georgia. With each election cycle, both parties face mounting pressure to ensure transparency in the voting process, and with upcoming races, including the 2024 presidential election, the stakes are higher than ever.
As new allegations and undercover footage continue to surface, both sides remain firmly entrenched in their views. Supporters of increased oversight and stricter laws argue that such measures are necessary to protect democracy, while critics contend that the allegations are attempts to undermine voter confidence and restrict access to voting. This latest footage featuring Caldwell is likely to fuel further debate and may push Georgia’s election integrity into the spotlight as the next election approaches.
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