Art Bell introduces his guest, James Collier, author of “Vote Scam: The Stealing of America.” Collier, an investigative reporter, discusses the credibility of the American voting system, expressing skepticism about whether votes truly count. He shares his experiences traveling across the country, including a recent trip to Florida, and talks about the public’s growing awareness of potential vote fraud. Art, while initially doubtful, is intrigued by Collier’s arguments, particularly in light of a Readers Digest article by Trevor Armbrister claiming that elections in the U.S. are rigged. The segment delves into the history of Collier’s investigation, starting in 1970 with a book contract to write “Running Through the System: Ballots Not Bullets,” exploring political turmoil and vote counting issues in America. Collier’s journey began with his brother Ken’s congressional campaign against Claude Pepper and has evolved into a broader inquiry into the integrity of the American electoral process.
James Collier recounts his experience running a paper called the Daily Planet, which led to a court case with DC Comics. Collier and his brother, Ken, decided to test the electoral system by having Ken run against Claude Pepper in Miami without spending money, relying solely on grassroots efforts. Surprisingly, on election night in 1970, TV stations accurately predicted vote percentages for 250 candidates within minutes of polls closing, raising suspicions about pre-programmed results.
Collier’s investigation led him to the League of Women Voters, where he uncovered inconsistencies in the reporting of vote counts to TV stations. Despite resistance, Collier persisted in exposing these discrepancies, even involving the FBI. He challenges the narrative that computer malfunctions at courthouses are responsible for delayed or inaccurate vote counts, suggesting instead a systemic rigging of elections by media outlets. Collier shares his confrontation with Elton Davis, the programmer for NBC, who cryptically admitted to the impossibility of their precise predictions without pre-rigging. Art Bell tries to understand the distinction between rigged elections and mere reporting errors, to which Collier insists it’s the former, pointing out that real-time reporting of accurate vote counts is virtually impossible given the technology of the time.
Collier describes how, in 1972, Newsweek ran a movie tacitly admitting awareness of voting irregularities, hinting at a larger issue within the news industry. Collier emphasizes the lack of representative samples in the voting process, suggesting that TV networks had no actual input but still reported perfect numbers, indicating a pre-arranged scheme.
Collier and his team investigated the voting process in detail. They found that the vote counting, traditionally done at precincts using lever-style machines, was recorded on canvas sheets signed by precinct workers. However, upon examining these sheets at the courthouse, they noticed discrepancies. Most sheets appeared too uniform, unlike a few that seemed handled by humans. Hiring a handwriting analyst, they initially believed these were forgeries but later realized they were genuine.
To prove their theory, Collier and his team resorted to stealing canvas sheets from various counties, a risky endeavor likened to the Watergate burglars. Analyzing these sheets, they found the pencil marks did not break the paper fibers, indicating they were forgeries. This discovery led them to question the credibility of their handwriting analyst, leading to further investigations.
Collier describes how, in the early 1970s, he and his brother Ken discovered a method of forging voting documents using a bank repeater graph, a device capable of automatic writing or signing. This discovery was corroborated by an article written by a forger they consulted, who inadvertently revealed his involvement in the process.
The Collier brothers took their findings to the FBI, confirming the forgeries. Following this, voting machines in Dade County were replaced with a new system called the “Printermatic.” However, during its first use, the Printermatic malfunctioned, revealing pre-printed results within the machines. This incident led to 4,000 precinct workers walking off the job, an event reported by the Miami Herald but without mentioning the cause.
Collier also recounts their legal battle, involving a court-appointed attorney, Elvis Rubin, who confirmed with the FBI and the Organized Crime Bureau that the election was rigged. Despite Rubin’s efforts and the overwhelming evidence, the State Attorney at the time, Janet Reno, refused to prosecute, citing an expired statute of limitations, which Collier disputes. This refusal marked a significant obstruction in their quest to expose the truth about vote rigging.
Collier talks about a case in Waterloo, Iowa, where a woman, after reading his book “Vote Scam,” confronted the local election supervisor to inspect the voting machines. Her request was denied, and the local newspaper discouraged people from reading the book, indicating a potential cover-up.
Collier also addresses the broader impact of his findings. He notes that candidates who lose elections are now referencing his material to challenge the results, indicating a growing awareness of potential vote fraud. Despite significant resistance from the media and political establishments, his book has gained traction through word of mouth and radio talk shows.
Furthermore, Collier describes the changes in vote counting methods, particularly focusing on Florida. He recounts how in 1982, the Republican National Committee acknowledged election rigging and offered rewards for exposing such practices. Collier’s investigation led him to discover that the League of Women Voters were allegedly tampering with vote cards in a remote data processing center. He also reveals that computer ballots are often taken to precinct captains’ homes weeks before elections, raising concerns about the integrity of the voting process.
Collier describes how, after votes are cast, they are placed in metal boxes sealed with tamper-evident seals and transported to a central counting location. However, he reveals that these seals are often duplicated and replaced en route, allowing for potential ballot tampering.
Collier and his team captured video evidence of this process. They observed a broken seal being replaced without record, suggesting that the original contents could have been altered. Further investigation led them to discover that the League of Women Voters were allegedly involved in punching thousands of holes in vote cards at a secure data processing center, indicating large-scale vote manipulation.
Collier suggests that such actions generally benefit incumbents, maintaining stability for corporate and political interests. He argues that the media plays a significant role in this process, with newspaper editorial boards and TV station owners exerting substantial influence. Despite presenting this evidence to various media outlets, Collier faced resistance and denial, highlighting the challenges of exposing and addressing systemic vote fraud.
James Collier continues detailing his investigation into the vote-rigging process. He describes how, after the votes are collected, they are brought to a central counting location where they are processed through BMX machines (Ballot Multiplexes). However, Collier reveals that they videotaped an individual repeatedly recounting already counted votes, a federal offense. This incident led to Collier and his team being forcibly removed from the premises and threatened with arrest by local law enforcement.
Collier also shares his personal experience with legal troubles, including being arrested under the orders of then-Attorney General Janet Reno, a detail he teases as a cliffhanger in his book. He expresses frustration with the media’s reluctance to cover these issues, highlighting a war with Bob Woodward of the Washington Post over the lack of attention to vote fraud.
Art Bell shifts the conversation to ask listeners who have worked as precinct workers to call in and share their experiences, either supporting or challenging Collier’s claims. Collier then mentions selling his video evidence to Pat Robertson’s Christian Broadcasting Network and that excerpts are available for public viewing. He emphasizes the importance of the public taking action themselves to expose and address these issues, expressing a desire to restore America to a more transparent and fair democratic process.
James Collier delves into the deeper aspects of his investigation into vote rigging. He explains that much of investigative reporting relies on following the paper trail. In his research, Collier found documents in the Library of Congress, including an election administration report by Richard Smolka from American University and a report from the American Air Force Staff Command College. These documents revealed a significant agreement made in 1964, after Kennedy’s assassination, between TV networks, major newspapers, the U.S. Senate and Congress, the FBI, and the CIA. This agreement stipulated that these media entities would not contradict the Warren Commission report on Kennedy’s assassination in exchange for the right to count votes in America.
Collier states that this led to the formation of News Election Services, a network pool that feeds election results to major media outlets, thus centralizing control of vote counting. He further explains how this system is linked to mainframe computers in every county that count votes, allowing for potential manipulation of election results.
Discussing the role of private companies in running elections, Collier reveals that they are often hired without public bids and paid substantial amounts from taxpayer dollars. He expresses frustration at the lack of public awareness and oversight in this process.
The conversation then shifts to the primaries, particularly the 1996 Republican primaries. Collier alleges that media outlets had prematurely announced election results before any votes were cast, specifically in the Iowa caucuses, leading to discrepancies in the actual vote count. He suggests that these actions influenced the outcomes in favor of certain candidates, citing an example where Pat Buchanan’s votes were reportedly shaved in favor of Bob Dole.
James Collier reveals that in Arizona, 60,000 extra ballots were printed, and during the day, the election supervisor removed ballot boxes from Maricopa County precincts. This action raised suspicions about ballot stuffing and potential manipulation of the election results.
Collier also shares an interaction with the election supervisor’s office, where he inquires about the handling of these extra ballots. The office’s response was vague and uncooperative, leading to public uproar in Arizona. He plans to write about this incident in a future article for Media Bypass.
A caller from Nevada, identifying himself as Tom, adds to the conversation by sharing similar incidents he observed in Las Vegas. He describes videotaping ballot boxes arriving at counting centers with broken or missing seals, which were casually replaced in front of everyone. This practice, as Tom and Collier note, is standardized across the country and indicative of systemic vote fraud.
The conversation then shifts to electronic voting machines, which Tom criticizes for their lack of physical ballots, making recounts and investigations more challenging. Collier agrees, emphasizing the risks associated with complete reliance on computer systems for voting, where results can be manipulated without leaving a tangible trace.
Collier touches upon the use of electronic voting machines, highlighting how they can be reprogrammed from the front panel, making them susceptible to vote manipulation. One caller, involved in a lawsuit against the use of such machines, expresses concern about the lack of tangible records with electronic voting, making it harder to trace or challenge vote manipulation.
Collier also responds to Art Bell’s skepticism regarding the involvement of organizations like the League of Women Voters in potential vote fraud. He argues that while most Americans are good people, those with special interests in politics might participate in election rigging. A caller from Las Vegas corroborates this by mentioning his own experiences and efforts in exposing vote fixing.
Another caller from Vancouver shares her experience of witnessing a computer ‘crash’ during an election night, which Collier indicates is a common tactic used to manipulate election results. This caller’s account suggests that when a candidate is winning unexpectedly, the system is manipulated to change the outcome.
The conversation focuses on the use of computer software in voting, which Collier describes as preprogrammed with “black box operations,” including trap doors and Trojan horses. He cites Howard Strauss, a professor at Princeton, who has written extensively on the dangers of voting with such systems.
Callers from various states share their experiences and observations. One caller from Erie, Pennsylvania, inquires about the legitimacy of mechanical voting machines with levers, and Collier confirms the possibility of pre-rigging these machines. He encourages people to demand transparency and access to the machines for verification, though he notes the challenges due to the guarded nature of the election process.
Collier also touches on the role of newspapers and media in perpetuating election fraud. He suggests boycotting newspapers and their advertisers to pressure them into addressing these issues. Despite the widespread nature of vote rigging, Collier believes that not all elections are compromised, particularly in areas with paper ballots counted in precincts.
A caller from Washington state discusses his experience as an election worker with paper ballots, to which Collier responds that such systems are likely more honest, though he urges vigilance to ensure the integrity of the counting process, especially at the county level.
Collier discusses how the media’s coverage of elections and their projections can influence the outcomes. He suggests that certain political deals are made behind closed doors, affecting the results of primaries and general elections.
A caller from Nashville, who works in a news department, expresses skepticism about the widespread nature of election fraud, questioning the feasibility of such a large-scale conspiracy. Collier responds by emphasizing the importance of investigating local voting methods to understand the potential for fraud. He cites examples of journalists who were allegedly fired for reporting on election rigging.
A precinct chairman from Texas calls in to defend the integrity of the voting process in his area, describing a system where paper ballots are counted by hand and secured in a locked container. Collier acknowledges that not all elections are rigged and agrees that paper ballots counted in precincts are likely to be more honest.
A caller from Houston expresses doubts about the plausibility of such a vast conspiracy, suggesting it could be a tactic to discourage voting. Collier counters by encouraging the caller to investigate the voting process during the upcoming election and document any irregularities.
Another caller, a teacher, considers taking her students to observe the election process, to which Collier responds enthusiastically, emphasizing the importance of transparency in elections. He argues that every part of the vote count should be open and accessible to the public.
A caller from a small town near Las Vegas mentions his hesitation to fully believe in widespread election fraud, citing his faith in the honesty of most Americans. Collier acknowledges that while the majority may be honest, the few who control the election process behind closed doors can significantly influence outcomes.
A caller from California questions the integrity of paper ballots, suggesting that they are not always a guarantee of an honest election. Collier agrees that no system is foolproof but maintains that paper ballots counted in precincts are generally more trustworthy.
Collier addresses a caller’s question about the influx of freshman Republican Congress members, suggesting that their election was part of a larger scheme orchestrated by political powers. He claims that these new members have done little more than follow a national agenda and vote away civil rights.
Another caller questions the integrity of both callers and Collier’s claims, expressing doubts about the widespread nature of election fraud. Collier responds by reiterating the importance of reading his book, “Vote Scam,” and investigating the election process personally.
A caller from California shares a disturbing account of how she participated in invalidating ballots during an election in Los Angeles. Collier expresses dismay at this revelation and emphasizes the need for American citizens to take action by investigating and documenting the election process themselves.
A caller from Broward County, Florida, shares their experience as a judge in North Carolina, where they had paper counting for elections. However, they express skepticism about the integrity of the process once ballots are processed by computers.
Collier emphasizes the lack of transparency in the computerized counting process, pointing out that ballots are often taken to locations inaccessible to the public. He mentions the use of header cards in ballot multiplexers, which instruct the computer on how to read the ballots, and suggests that these could be manipulated.
A caller from the Monterey Peninsula brings up concerns about potential laws in Nevada prohibiting cameras at polling stations, which could hinder efforts to document and ensure the integrity of the election process. Collier encourages people to continue investigating and documenting the election process, regardless of such obstacles.
The discussion also touches on a specific incident in California, where a Republican primary candidate was surprised by the election results, suspecting discrepancies in the counting process. Collier points out that a company called DMF runs elections in California and suggests that the centralization of vote counting in remote locations allows for potential manipulation.
A caller from New Orleans recounts a disturbing story about an election supervisor found dead under suspicious circumstances, further contributing to the narrative of questionable election practices.
A caller from Ohio brings up the topic of Russian elections, comparing them to the alleged fraud in U.S. elections. Collier briefly acknowledges the comparison but focuses more on the U.S. scenario.
Collier also cites an article from the National Review by Rich Lowry, discussing vote fraud in America. He emphasizes that vote fraud is not a partisan issue but a broader concern for democracy. He reads excerpts from the article and a book, “Dirty Little Secrets,” highlighting cases of vote manipulation in the U.S.
Another caller, who has read “Vote Scam,” finds it to be an even-handed presentation of information on election fraud. This caller has observed elections and believes the book accurately describes what happens during election returns.
A caller from Sacramento, California, shares concerns about their local voting place disappearing and being replaced with mail-in voting. Collier agrees that mail-in voting across the country, including in Oregon, is a license for potential fraud.
Collier discusses the media’s role in election fraud, suggesting that many in the media are either complicit or unaware of the extent of the problem. He urges the public to demand total transparency in the vote-counting process, stating that it is often shrouded in secrecy.
A caller from Omaha inquires about American Information Systems, a company involved in vote counting. Collier confirms their involvement and discusses the concerning aspect of news media owning voting machines.
Another caller from San Francisco corroborates Collier’s claims about header cards being used to disqualify voter cards intentionally. The caller also expresses concern about the broader influence of the Council on Foreign Relations in controlling elections, suggesting a deeper level of manipulation in the political system.
A caller from Florida recounts their experience as an election judge, revealing that while paper ballots are used in Broward County, there is still skepticism about what happens to the ballots when they are processed by computers. Collier suggests that this lack of transparency raises concerns about potential manipulation.
Collier also discusses a meeting of influential figures, including media executives and political leaders, pointing out their role in perpetuating the illusion of a two-party system in the U.S. He emphasizes that this perpetuates an illusion rather than representing genuine political diversity.
One caller questions the validity of poll taking, to which Collier responds by critiquing the ownership of polls by major media outlets and suggesting that polls can be misleading due to the methodologies used and the possibility of people lying in their responses.
The conversation also touches on the 1996 U.S. presidential election polls showing President Clinton ahead, with Collier expressing his opinion on the candidates and the reliability of such polls.
A caller from Michigan inquires about the election process in their state, with Collier encouraging them to investigate and document the process using a video camera.
Collier concludes by emphasizing the power of video cameras in exposing truths and leveling the playing field in democratic processes, much like the Rodney King incident brought attention to police brutality.
The show continues to cover a variety of unrelated topics, moving further away from the discussion of election fraud.
- A caller from Saint Paul, Minnesota, discusses the disillusionment of many people with the political system and their decision not to vote, believing the system to be rigged.
- The conversation then shifts to a humorous story about a tavern in northern Wisconsin and its prank on customers using the outhouse.
- A caller from Reno, Nevada, suggests a guest for the show, an author who wrote about the Chupacabra.
- A listener from Saint Paul shares their thoughts on Art Bell’s influence and the topics he covers, including fixed voting and volcanoes as a metaphor for an advanced civilization inside the Earth.
- A caller from Portland, Oregon, asks about the line of succession in Russia if something were to happen to Boris Yeltsin and inquires whether Collier mentioned anything about the Russian elections being rigged.
- Another caller asks for an update on “Art’s Parts,” referring to a topic related to rare metals and antigravity properties, which Bell promises to cover in an upcoming show.
- The conversation also includes concerns about the disappearance of bees and frogs in certain regions, with a caller from Port Townsend, Washington, expressing alarm over these environmental changes.
- A caller expresses concern about the disappearance of bees and frogs in the U.S., suggesting it might be part of a broader ecological crisis.
- A woman from Grand Junction, Colorado, calls in to share her recent experience with voting. She recounts an incident where she found pre-cut holes in her punch card ballot. After reporting this to the local newspaper and talk show, there was no significant follow-up.
- The same caller from Colorado also shares her admiration for the host’s use of language and expresses her support for Ross Perot in a previous election, wondering if her vote was effectively counted.
- A caller from Nashville discusses the notion of democracy being rigged, pointing out the contradiction in that idea and relating it to the CIA’s involvement in foreign elections.
- Art Bell shares a personal anecdote about receiving KGB identification cards from a friend in army intelligence and humorously contemplates taking them to Russia on a trip.
- A listener shares a humorous story about a tavern in Wisconsin with a prank involving a speaker in the women’s outhouse.
- The conversation moves to various listener interactions, including a fax from a listener known as Bugs, who mentions remote viewing two dead Bigfoots, and another listener, Phil from Reno, who is excited about starting training at a local radio station.
- Art Bell discusses the role of board operators in radio and offers advice to an aspiring board operator on how to excel in the role.
- A caller discusses driving to the state line for reasons that initially seem unclear but later appear to be related to making bets, given the legality of certain activities in Nevada that are illegal elsewhere.
- Another caller from Ashland, Oregon, initiates a debate with the host about the legalization of all drugs. The conversation explores the potential consequences of legalization, including the possibility of increased drug usage and societal impacts. They discuss the current state of drug availability and the effectiveness of criminalizing drug use. The conversation also touches on the distinction between different types of drugs, such as marijuana versus more harmful substances like PCP.
- Art and caller discuss the broader implications of drug legalization, including the potential for increased crime and the strain on the prison system. They also consider the impact of drug-related crimes and the distinction between drug use and the commission of other crimes while under the influence.
- A caller asks about the raid on Entebbe, which took place on July 3, 1976, and the death of Yoni Netanyahu, the brother of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. They reflect on the historical significance of the event.
- A caller from the San Francisco Bay area starts off with a humorous reference to Art Bell’s childhood experiments and moves on to discuss books, particularly end-of-the-world novels, and seeks recommendations from Bell.
- A discussion about legalizing drugs continues with a focus on differentiating marijuana from other hard drugs. The host and caller debate the potential consequences of legalizing all drugs, including the impact on nonviolent drug offenders and societal implications.
- A caller reflects on the significance of Independence Day, expressing frustration with Congress and appreciating the historical importance of the day.
- Another caller shares a heartwarming story about a stray cat that came to their home on Independence Day, leading to a humorous suggestion of soliciting donations for a photograph of the cat and the caller’s daughter.
- A caller from New Orleans asks about the Urantia Book and whether the show has covered the topic. The host acknowledges that while the book has been discussed in previous episodes, its validity and significance are up for personal interpretation.
The show closes with a modified sign-off, reflecting the special occasion of Independence Day. Art Bell, from the high desert, along with the caller from New Orleans, extends a happy birthday wish to America.