Guest post by Joe Hoft at JoeHoft.com – republished with permission.
In a significant move toward transparency and election integrity, Missouri’s newly appointed Secretary of State, Denny Hoskins, has taken decisive action to address long-standing concerns about the state’s voting processes.
Following a demonstration of electronic voting machines hosted by the Missouri Clerks Association, grassroots advocates for hand-counted ballots pressed for an equal opportunity to showcase their method. Citing Missouri statutes 115.449 and 115.451, which outline procedures for hand-counting votes on election day, these advocates argued that a public demonstration would provide much-needed transparency.
Secretary Hoskins agreed, scheduling the event for April 2, 2025, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. in Hearing Room 4 of the Missouri Capitol.
When my hand counting friends asked “Can we have a public demonstration of hand-counting at the Capitol?” I was glad to help.
The public, media and elected officials are invited – Wednesday, April 2, 8am-noon for a hand-counting demonstration in House Hearing Room 4. https://t.co/aMkacF2ii5
— Secretary of State Denny Hoskins, CPA (@DLHoskins) March 23, 2025
This development arrives at a critical juncture, coinciding with President Trump’s recent signing of the Executive Order titled “Preserving and Protecting the Integrity of American Elections.”
The order mandates that the Attorney General establish information-sharing agreements with state election officials to root out election fraud and other violations of election law.
States that fail to comply could face heightened federal enforcement of election integrity laws and the potential loss of federal funding—a consequence tied to their reluctance to address fraud. For many Missourians, this federal push resonates deeply, as complaints about election irregularities have been mounting for years.
The dissatisfaction isn’t new. In August 2022, The Gateway Pundit reported that Alison Graeff, a candidate for Missouri State Representative, filed a lawsuit alleging that the laboratories responsible for testing and certifying the state’s electronic voting equipment lacked proper legal accreditation, violating federal election law.
Further reports at The Gateway Pundit highlighted additional grievances, including election law violations raised by challengers across Missouri during the 2024 General Election—complaints that election officials allegedly ignored at every level.
With zero response from the former Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft and election officials across the state to the 2024 General Election challenges, two formal complaints have been filed with the SOS under RSMo §115.642 centering around the approval and utilization of electronic voting systems that fail to comply with Missouri law and the Help America Vote Act (HAVA).
The formal complaints give the Secretary of State extraordinary investigations powers including the ability to subpoena and the full backing of the Attorney General’s office.
Secretary Hoskins, who campaigned on a platform of eliminating electronic voting machines and tabulators in favor of hand counting, appears poised to deliver on his promises.
His stance aligns with amendments to the Missouri Republican Party platform, which passed with overwhelming support during district and state caucuses.
These amendments reflect a broader movement among Republicans statewide to restore trust in the electoral process by returning to manual vote counting—a method advocates argue is more transparent and less susceptible to manipulation.
The upcoming hand-counting demonstration on April 2 represents more than a procedural exercise; it’s a response to years of frustration and a signal that Missouri’s new Secretary of State is serious about evening the information playing field.
With the federal government now applying pressure through Trump’s executive order, and with citizens demanding accountability, Hoskins’ actions could set a precedent for how states address election integrity in an era of heightened scrutiny.
For Missourians weary of unanswered questions, this may mark the beginning of a long-sought shift toward greater transparency in their elections.
Join Missouri Grassroots on April 2nd!
This demonstration is open to the public, and all are welcome. It will be held on April 2, 2025, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. in Hearing Room 4 of the Missouri Capitol.
The post Good News! Missouri’s New Secretary of State Levels the Playing Field with Election Integrity Push appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.