NEWS AND OPINION:

“Mail-in voting fraud likely changed the outcome of the 2020 election … in 2020, mail-in voting reached an all-time record due to pandemic policies encouraging” the practice, according to the Heartland Institute, a nonprofit group that promotes free-market solutions to social and economic problems.

“These abrupt and capricious changes to voting procedures in the months before the 2020 election occurred despite the fact that ample evidence showed that mass mail-in voting, unsecured ballot drop boxes, ballot harvesting, and lack of signature verification would result in a flood of fraudulent ballots that would undermine the accuracy of the election results,” the organization said in a written statement.

The institute also conducted a national poll on the matter. It revealed that 21% of mail-in voters admitted that in 2020 they voted in a state where they are “no longer a permanent resident.”

Another 21% said they filled out a ballot for a friend or family member, while 17% said they signed a ballot for a friend or family member “with or without his or her permission.”

In addition, 19% of mail-in voters said a friend or family member filled out their ballot on their behalf.

“This should serve as a call to action for state legislators interested in shoring up the integrity of states’ electoral systems. Though a handful of states have enacted some policies to mitigate mail-in voting fraud in the upcoming 2024 elections, much more needs to be done in order to ensure Americans regain confidence in U.S. electoral institutions and believe the results of future elections. If we can’t trust our own elections, our democratic republic will be on thinner ice than it already is,” research editor Jack McPherrin said in a written statement.

The aforementioned survey of 1,085 likely U.S. voters was conducted for the Heartland Institute by Rasmussen Reports from Nov. 30 to Dec. 6. The analysis was released Tuesday.

TUCKER CARLSON MEDIA

So the big conversation is over. Independent newsman Tucker Carlson has interviewed Russian President Vladimir Putin. So how did Mr. Carlson fare in the media coverage that followed?

Here are a few headlines from the last 24 hours:

“Tucker Carlson faces media fury over Putin interview” (Politico); “Kremlin confirms Putin gave interview to ex-Fox News host Tucker Carlson” (Reuters); “Tucker Carlson interviewed Putin, Kremlin confirms — claiming his Ukraine views aren’t ‘one-sided’” (Forbes); “Tucker Carlson fact-checked by Kremlin ahead of Putin interview” (Rolling Stone); “Tucker Carlson ripped for ‘absurd’ claim that journalists haven’t tried to interview Putin” (Hollywood Reporter); “Tucker Carlson is no ‘traitor’ for doing journalism” (Reason); and “EU politicians threaten to sanction Tucker Carlson for interviewing Vladimir Putin” (Breitbart).

DESANTIS BACK ON THE JOB

A former Republican presidential hopeful is back at work in his home state. That would be Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is now determined to keep the public peace during spring break in the Sunshine State.

“We were in Miami Beach. We are not going to allow things in some of these pockets of Florida when spring break happens and goes off the rails — like it’s gone on there,” the governor said at a news conference Wednesday. “That applies anywhere in the state — anywhere that any local governments, local communities want our assistance — we want to be there,” Mr. DeSantis said.

“We want to make sure that we have good order, that public safety and businesses are thriving — and that our residents are able to enjoy being Floridians and don’t have any of their freedoms impinged upon. You can count on us to be very active as the circumstances require,” the governor said.

A CIA MOMENT

CIA Director William J. Burns has appointed Juliane Gallina to serve as the agency’s new deputy director for digital innovation.

Ms. Gallina has been part of the intelligence and technology communities for more than 30 years in a wide range of military, civil service and industry roles. She most recently served as the associate deputy director for digital innovation and previously as chief information officer and director of the agency’s information technology enterprise.

Ms. Gallina will oversee initiatives and partnerships to enhance the agency’s ability to leverage digital technology and innovations to further CIA’s mission.

“Juliane brings a wealth of experience from holding multiple leadership positions at the Agency, in the Intelligence Community, and the private sector. Her exceptional breadth of experience, as well as her passion for technology and the Agency workforce make her a natural selection to lead the Directorate of Digital Innovation at this critical time,” Mr. Burns said in a written statement.

Ms. Gallina calls it “an honor to be asked to lead the Directorate of Digital Innovation. Throughout my career, I’ve reflected that there are three elements to the perfect job: great people, great technology, great mission — and I’ve been delighted to find all three while serving at CIA. We are in the right place at the right time for positive mission impact.”

She previously worked in the private sector as vice president of IBM’s federal key accounts.

Ms. Gallina began her federal service as a Navy cryptologic officer and retired from the Navy Reserve in 2013. While at the U.S. Naval Academy, Ms. Gallina was the first woman to lead the brigade of midshipmen since its founding in 1846.

POLL DU JOUR

• 41% of U.S. adults think the Republican Party would do a better job than the Democrats when it comes to “dealing with immigration”: 87% of Republicans, 38% of independents and 8% of Democrats agree.

• 29% think the Democratic Party would do the better job; 3% of Republicans, 17% of independents and 65% of Democrats agree.

• 10% think both parties would do “about the same” at dealing with immigration; 2% of Republicans, 14% of independents and 9% of Democrats agree.

• 20% think neither political party would do a good job; 8% of Republicans, 31% of independents and 17% of Democrats agree.

• 1% are not sure about the issue; 0% of Republicans, 1% of independents and 0% of Democrats agree.

SOURCE: A National Public Radio/PBS NewsHour/Marist poll of 1,582 U.S, adults conducted Jan. 29-Feb. 1.

• Contact Jennifer Harper at jharper@washingtontimes.com.

• Jennifer Harper can be reached at jharper@washingtontimes.com.