Kamala Harris election dispute joins a long list of controversial US presidential results from Thomas Jefferson to George W Bush Jr
Historical parallels to Kamala Harris election dispute
As questions surrounding the Kamala Harris election result continue to unfold in court, the controversy draws on a long history of disputed US presidential elections. From the earliest years of the republic to the modern era, contested outcomes, allegations of fraud, and constitutional ambiguity have repeatedly tested the resilience of American democracy.
The latest case, allowed to proceed in New York's Rockland County, challenges the validity of several voting machines used in the 2024 election. Filed by SMART Legislation, the lawsuit alleges that votes for Kamala Harris were undercounted or missing entirely from machines in towns like Ramapo. Affidavits from poll workers and voters suggest ballots showed zero votes for president while including votes for other contests, raising concerns about possible machine malfunctions or tampering.
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Kamala Harris election result: Trump's victory under scrutiny as lawsuit filed - here's what could happen next
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This case, while unlikely to affect Donald Trump's presidency, brings renewed focus on electoral transparency and echoes the legacy of past presidential contests that reshaped US election law and public trust.
From Jefferson to Bush: six disputed presidential elections
In 1800, the Electoral College delivered a tie between Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr, both receiving 73 votes. The House of Representatives required 36 ballots to award the presidency to Jefferson. The deadlock prompted the Twelfth Amendment, which separated presidential and vice-presidential votes to avoid future stalemates.
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A similar issue surfaced in 1824 when Andrew Jackson secured the most popular and electoral votes but lacked a majority. The House chose John Quincy Adams instead, triggering Jackson's accusations of a 'corrupt bargain.' His eventual win in 1828 led to reforms demanding greater voter participation and scrutiny of elite political deals.
Abraham Lincoln's 1860 victory with only 40 per cent of the popular vote triggered Southern secession. His win, reflecting a deeply divided electorate over slavery, came despite his absence from ballots in several Southern states. The dispute ultimately cascaded into the Civil War, underscoring how electoral fractures can deepen national crises.
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Kamala Harris voters 'erased' in Rockland? New York lawsuit to probe vanishing ballots: What we know so far
In 1876, Democrat Samuel Tilden won the popular vote and led in the Electoral College, but 20 electoral votes from four states were contested. A bipartisan commission awarded them to Republican Rutherford B. Hayes. In return, Hayes agreed to withdraw federal troops from the South, a deal known as the Compromise of 1877. This political resolution ended Reconstruction and enabled state-level disenfranchisement of Black voters.
Fast forward to 1960, John F. Kennedy's razor-thin win over Richard Nixon raised concerns over vote manipulation in Illinois and Texas. Allegations pointed to organized political machinery in Chicago and strategic ballot management in Texas. Nixon declined to challenge the result, citing national unity, though doubts persisted.
In 2000, George W. Bush and Al Gore's battle hinged on Florida's 25 electoral votes. Machine errors like 'hanging chads' and inconsistent ballot designs such as the 'butterfly ballot' caused major confusion. The US Supreme Court halted recounts in
Bush v. Gore
, awarding Florida, and the presidency, to Bush by a margin of just 537 votes.
Rockland County lawsuit: new scrutiny on voting machines
The Kamala Harris election result lawsuit centers on irregularities in Rockland County, where five voting machines in Ramapo reportedly recorded zero presidential votes despite ballots including selections for down-ballot races. Voters and poll workers submitted affidavits confirming they cast votes for president.
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Kamala Harris won the U.S elections: Bombshell report claims voting machines were tampered with before 2024
Election integrity
advocate Susan Greenhalgh cited the rarity of such discrepancies, questioning whether software updates made before the election contributed to machine errors. The updates were made by Pro V&V, a private firm, with minimal public disclosure.
Judge Rachel Tanguay's decision to allow full discovery will enable attorneys to access internal machine logs and request sworn testimony. The case's next hearing is scheduled for September 22, 2025.
What the Kamala Harris election result case could mean
While the lawsuit is unlikely to affect the 2024 presidential outcome, it may influence broader election reforms. Legal experts say a full hand recount could expose vote-counting inconsistencies and spark legislative changes on machine certification, ballot design, and voter access laws.
Also read:
2024 US Presidential election is under scrutiny as lawsuit claims discrepancies in Rockland County, New York
The case also offers an opportunity for officials to improve voter confidence by ensuring transparent and verifiable election systems. As with previous disputed elections, the outcome may shape how future contests are administered and perceived, especially in an era of intense partisanship and evolving technology.
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