Election Integrity Team | Fairfax GOP 

The Fairfax GOP today announced the launch of its new Election Integrity Team. Led by Clay Percle, the team is focused on restoring voters’ trust in the electoral system through fairness and transparency. Percle, a retired U.S. Air Force fighter pilot and Iraq War veteran, is a Clifton-based small business owner. “Election integrity is not a partisan issue; it is a fundamental American value,” Percle said.

Looking ahead to Virginia’s 2021 elections, the Fairfax GOP’s Election Integrity Team seeks to identify and remedy existing election processes, policies, and procedures that could leave the election process vulnerable to impropriety. The team intends to recruit, train, and engage election officers, poll watchers, and off-season staff to ensure more bipartisan oversight of the election system in Fairfax County. In addition, the team will boost reform-minded legislation with the goal of eliminating any real or perceived electoral fraud in Virginia elections.

“We encourage maximum legal voter participation in our election system,” Percle said. “Even the perception of fraud can result in a form of voter suppression, as citizens withdraw from an electoral process they don’t trust.”

Fairfax GOP Chairman Steve Knotts welcomed the formation of the Election Integrity Team. “We all have a shared interest in ensuring clean, fair elections,” Knotts said. “I commend the efforts of Clay Percle and his team — they have my full confidence and support.”

“Vote Dump” Allegation

The Election Integrity Team has already looked into a rumor circulating on various internet forums. It is rumored there was an improper “vote dump” in Fairfax County of between 100,000 and 308,000 votes for Joe Biden on election night. The Election Integrity Team has ascertained the late influx of ballots was in line with expectations, due to the reporting timeline of the Central Absentee Precinct (CAP) in Fairfax County. The official ballot counts for Fairfax County closely paralleled the political affiliations of the absentee ballot voters as determined by several data models, casting further doubt on the rumor. While the Election Integrity Team did not substantiate the “vote dump” rumor, they believe a full investigation would be needed to rule out other suspected instances of fraud in the conduct of the 2020 election.

While the extent of election fraud in Fairfax County remains unclear, the Election Integrity Team believes that all reasonable measures should be taken to eliminate the possibility of fraud. The mere perception of fraud is a serious concern, as it undermines trust in our elections and their outcomes.

Risk Limiting Audit

The Virginia Department of Elections (VA ELECT) is conducting a Risk Limiting Audit (RLA) beginning Wednesday, February 24, pursuant to Virginia Code §24.2-669 and §24.2-671. The RLA will review the ballot scanner machines used throughout Virginia in the November 2020 elections.

The Fairfax GOP will have a representative present to observe the RLA audit. The Election Integrity Team sees the RLA as a necessary step in reviewing the function of the ballot scanner machines. At the same time, concerns remain about the RLA’s methodology as implemented by VA ELECT.

The Election Integrity Team believes the RLA alone is not sufficient to determine whether election fraud or other impropriety occurred in November. The audit fails to consider the issues of ballot chain-of-custody; tally manipulation; failure to maintain accurate voter rolls; lack of required photo identification; non-citizen voting; or improperly supervised absentee and mail‑in voting — to name a few. As the saying goes, “Garbage in, garbage out.”

Looking ahead to the 2021 elections and beyond, the Election Integrity Team is determined to formulate and advance thoughtful reforms to bolster voter confidence in the system.

To become a member of the Fairfax GOP’s Election Integrity Team, click here or email volunteer@fairfaxgop.org.