Dominion Voting Systems, a company known for its role in the 2020 U.S. presidential election and the subject of various conspiracy theories pushed by former President Donald Trump and his supporters, has undergone a change in ownership. The firm, originally based in Toronto and later operating from Denver, has been purchased by a company led by a former Republican elections official, as announced recently.
This acquisition marks a significant shift from the company’s position just over two years ago. In April 2023, amidst an impending defamation trial, Fox Corporation and Fox News settled for $787.5 million US, acknowledging the court’s findings that certain claims about Dominion were false. While Dominion still faced legal battles with other parties, recent reports suggest settlements have been reached with former Trump attorneys Sidney Powell and Rudolph Giuliani, as well as One America News Network.
The acquiring company, KnowInk, a provider of electronic poll books based in St. Louis, revealed the acquisition and the rebranding of Dominion Voting Systems to Liberty Vote. The company’s owner, Scott Leiendecker, emphasized a dedication to offering election technology prioritizing transparency through paper-based systems, a demand often raised by election conspiracy theorists.
John Poulos, Dominion’s former CEO, confirmed the sale in a brief statement, indicating that Liberty Vote had acquired Dominion Voting Systems. While Poulos retained an interest in the company, private equity firm Staple Street Capital had obtained a controlling stake in Dominion through a significant deal in 2018.
The new developments have led to the redirection of all online traffic from the former Dominion site to libertyvote.com. The revamped company, Liberty Vote, asserts its American ownership and commitment to rebuilding faith in the electoral process. The financial details of the transaction remain undisclosed, with KnowInk and Liberty Vote being privately held entities.
Dominion’s history dates back to its founding by John Poulos and James Hoover after the contentious 2000 U.S. presidential election. The company’s technology, though not utilized at the federal level by Elections Canada, has been employed in several provincial and municipal elections across North America.
The controversies surrounding Dominion and other voting technology firms escalated during the 2020 election, with allegations of election fraud and manipulation. Despite these claims, subsequent recounts and audits affirmed Joe Biden’s victory, with courts dismissing numerous legal challenges raised by Trump and his allies.
The aftermath of the election saw a polarized political landscape, with Trump and his supporters continuing to challenge the legitimacy of the results. The shift in ownership and rebranding of Dominion to Liberty Vote marks a new chapter in the company’s history, emphasizing transparency and rebuilding trust in the electoral process.
The evolution of Dominion and its impact on electoral systems underscore the ongoing debates surrounding election integrity and the role of technology in democratic processes.