Rep. Jim Himes (D-Conn.), the ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, said Wednesday that paper ballot records could expose attempts to manipulate election results, citing Elon Musk as a hypothetical example while discussing safeguards ahead of the November 3 midterm elections.
Himes Explains How Paper Ballots Protect Elections
Speaking on MS NOW’s Morning Joe, Himes said, “Forty-nine of the 50 states have paper records of the ballots, right?” He added, “Except for Louisiana, every other state in the union has a paper backup.”
“So, let’s just imagine that Elon Musk or whoever can pull off something they’ve never pulled off before and get in and change the vote totals, it would be relatively easy to go back and check that against the actual paper ballot,” Himes said.
The congressman emphasized that authorities had never documented a successful hack of election technology that altered results. His remarks outlined a hypothetical threat rather than accusing Musk of misconduct.
The U.S. Election Assistance Commission confirmed in May 2025 that more than 98% of election jurisdictions use systems producing paper voting records. The agency recommends auditable systems because officials can compare physical ballots against electronic totals.
Musk’s Republican Spending Draws Renewed Attention
Himes’ remarks come as Musk commits substantial resources to Republican campaigns.
Reuters reported earlier this month that Musk contributed approximately $366 million during the election cycle, including $276 million since July. More recent figures cited by Politico last week place his midterm spending above $442 million, highlighting his political involvement.
Musk has also supported Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s Senate campaign, while Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) criticized the billionaire’s electoral influence.
Intelligence Officials Report No Election Interference
Himes’ comments follow concerns about President Donald Trump’s election fraud allegations, which state election officials have repeatedly challenged.
On Tuesday, in a congressional statement, Himes said the intelligence community had found nothing contradicting its assessment that foreign adversaries had not attempted to interfere with voting infrastructure or vote counting. However, he warned Americans about disinformation, particularly as artificial intelligence advances.
The Election Assistance Commission, an independent, bipartisan commission of the United States government, also emphasizes post-election audits, which help officials verify electronic counts against ballots. Its guidance notes that auditing practices vary across states, making consistent safeguards important nationwide.
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