Colorado Secretary of State sues election clerk to turn over data copied from voting machines

Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold said Thursday that her office is moving forward with a civil suit to compel a county clerk to provide more material evidence – including the whereabouts of copies of election machine hard drives – in connection with her investigation into voting-related data having been taken, copied and allegedly given to "unauthorized people."

The defendant has been identified as Elbert County Clerk and Recorder Dallas Schroeder. 

Schroeder has already said that he removed two hard drives from the a voting machine server, then two individuals – both of whom were not authorized under Colorado's election rules to work on the trusted build event – gave him instructions how to make copies.

The individuals are Shawn Smith and Mark Cook, associates of My Pillow CEO Mike Lindell, according to Reuters.

Lindell is a supporter of former President Trump.

Schroeder's office did not immediately respond to The Center Square's request for comment.

Griswold, a Democrat, previously filed two orders requiring Schroeder to disclose where copies of the county’s election hard drives are being kept. Her office has alleged the copies have given to people unauth unauthorized hands.

“Critical information regarding the unauthorized imaging of Elbert County’s voting system hard drives has not been disclosed by Clerk Schroeder and the copies of the hard drives still are in the hands of unauthorized people,” Griswold said Thursday.

The lawsuit seeks to force Schroeder to turn over documentation concerning the matter.

Griswold also says Schroeder has provided some answers to her previous orders, but the answers provided raised more questions that are pertinent to her investigation.

The lawsuit states Schroeder's failure to comply with the orders has "created a risk that the copies of Elbert County's voting system hard drives may be exploited to undermine confidence in Colorado’s secure elections."