Flyers distributed by "Dark Money" PAC Innacurate
GOUD Crowd Repurposes New Flyer
Some households in Salt Lake County received a new 11-inch by 8.5-inch flyer in the mail warning to "KEEP GOUD MARAGANI OUT OF OFFICE".
Just like the previous flyer (see below) this one was full of inaccuracies and was intended to scare voters. It was also sent by the same "dark money" PAC based in Washington DC associated with George Soros and the extreme left.
This time, the GOUD CROWD decided to have a little fun by repurposing the flyer to expose the current Clerk's office (see image attached). Texts were added showing the very concerning inconsistencies and data gaps, issues with the voter rolls, waste and antiquated processes.
Flyer falsely labels GOUD as an "extremist"
Some households in Salt Lake County received a mysterious 8.5-inch by 11-inch flyer in the mail attacking GOUD as an "extremist". The flyer is full of salacious inaccuracies and it was obviously intended to strike fear in the hearts of voters.
Some quick research indicates it was sent by a "dark money" PAC based in Washington DC associated with the extreme left.
The GOUD CROWD decided to have a little fun and fix this deceptive flyer. It now reflects what we believe to be accurate words about GOUD as a candidate for Salt Lake County Clerk. Please see our "corrected" flyer attached.
It is interesting to note that the flyer refers to numerous negative and inaccurate statements found in articles published by the Salt Lake Tribune regarding GOUD.
We have to ask: Why is a dark money group from DC, funded by the extreme left, interfering in the Salt Lake County Clerk's race?
Unlike some Politicians, I do not "Tweet and Delete"
Op-Ed to Salt Lake Tribune - October 13, 2022
Here are excerpts from my original Op-Ed submitted to the SL Tribune, October 13, 2022. The Tribune published an edited version here on October 21, 2022.
Excerpt follows:
Unlike career Politicians who desperately scrub and hide unpopular past comments and opinions, I made the conscious decision to leave past posts intact. I refuse to “tweet and delete.” I own my past opinions in the context I made them, but they are just that - “in the past.” As we learn additional information, I and others change our opinions over time. I changed my mind based on the evidence.
1. 2020 Election: At one time, I thought the 2020 election was stolen. After much review and the failure of Trump and his allies to produce concrete evidence of a stolen election, I concluded that the election was not stolen. Trump lost and Biden won.
I became interested and led a team to review Salt Lake's 2020 election. We found no fraud but were surprised to discover glaring inconsistencies and data gaps within the Clerk’s office. The Clerk’s data shows at least 14,000 ballots that cannot be matched with voter records. Between 9,000 - 26,000 ballots were adjudicated but not tracked. There were no chain of custody records for ballots retrieved from Drop Boxes. This motivated me to run for County Clerk.
More recently, I was stunned that my opponent’s name was included on the primary ballot instructions in violation of the law, representing an unfair value of $230,000 to her campaign. We brought a complaint to the Lieutenant Governor, and my opponent’s name was removed from the general election ballot instructions.
View the full Op-Ed: Unlike some Politicians, I do not "Tweet and Delete".
COME MEET GOUD
Monday November 7th 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm
Honk and Wave
11400 South State (northeast corner), Draper, UT 84020
Monday November 7th 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm
Honk and Wave
4500 South State (northeast corner), Murray, UT 84107
Monday November 7th 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm
Honk and Wave
2100 South 1300 East (southwest corner), SLC, UT 84106
Voters have Important Questions for a County Clerk Candidate
Op-Ed to the Salt Lake Tribune - August 29, 2022
It is good to see that so many voters are concerned about democracy in Salt Lake County.
Excerpt follows:
One of the most enjoyable aspects of being on the campaign trail in Salt Lake County is meeting the many diverse groups and individuals who have their own unique stories and experiences . . .
I will share with you a few of the important questions I am often asked by Salt Lake County voters.
1. Vote-by-Mail. Some county voters ask if, as your county clerk, I would support mail-in ballots. Not only do I answer YES, but I relay to them that the Utah Legislature, not county clerks, determines Utah’s methods of voting. Depending on the election, over 90% of Salt Lake County’s citizens use mail-in ballots. Per our Legislature, voting by mail is always required . . . . .
2. Election Fraud. At times, I am asked if I believe fraud occurred in the 2020 election. I tell them that I have not investigated and cannot speak to how elections were run outside of Salt Lake County. I have, however, worked with a team to investigate how elections are run in Salt Lake County. We did not find that fraud occurred in Salt Lake County . . .
3. Protecting Democracy. It is refreshing to see that voters recognize the role of county clerks in protecting our Democracy.
Voters can rest assured that as your county clerk, I will do everything in my power to protect our democracy. As a person of color and son of immigrants, free and secure elections are personally important to me . . .
View the full Op-Ed: GOUD Maragani Voters have important questions for a county clerk candidate
PROTECTING DEMOCRACY
Every Vote Counts
As a first-generation American and ethnic person of color, GOUD cares deeply about the election process and making sure every vote counts.
GOUD is concerned about an increasing lack of trust in the election system in recent years, on both sides of the aisle.
GOUD believes it is good to question the election process and has detailed proposals how we can improve both transparency and accuracy:
- Scheduled Poll Watching to strengthen citizen access to the election process.
- Secure Drop Box Ballots to make sure every vote counts.
- Open Records Access to improve transparency of elections.
- Real-time Verification of Voting Machines to monitor and assure accuracy.
- Public information about the Safest Methods of Voting to assure citizens.
- Ensure accurate and Clean Voter Rolls.
- Conduct regular Election Audits to verify the process and results.
GOUD is a proud American who has served to defend our democracy in Afghanistan, Kuwait and Iraq.
PRESS CONFERENCE - MAY 7, 2022
Election Integrity Report
On Saturday, May 7th GOUD presented the findings and recommendations of the Salt Lake County Election Integrity Committee to nearly 100 attendees.
GOUD's presentation covered poll watching, GRAMA requests, security and chain of custody for ballot drop boxes, non-public voter records, ballot adjudication, and more. Following the presentation, there was a lively and productive question and answer session.
View the Report: SL County Election Integrity Report
Watch the full Video: Press Conference Video
GOUD - Work Experience
A Career Professional
Throughout his professional career, GOUD Maragani has developed and honed a broad set of skills working for:
- The U.S. Department of Justice, and
- The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
Large public and private organizations have relied on GOUD's unique skill set in order to understand complex systems, explain them to employees, make improvements, develop transparency and audit results.
GOUD currently works for a Utah company doing business in 180 countries around the world. GOUD was hired because of his broad education, field experience, strong work ethic, and professional work history.
GOUD has been instrumental to companies and organizations due to his ability to design, implement, and track their compliance efforts based on strict adherence to their policies and the law. He has helped them develop efficient, cutting edge, and transparent ways to ensure accountability.
GOUD - Proud American
GOUD was born in Wisconsin and grew up near Chicago. He is a first-generation American whose father came to America for education opportunities in 1973, then returned to India to marry his sweetheart. His mother legally immigrated to the U.S. in 1975 to join his father.
GOUD earned a B.A. in English Literature from the University of Illinois at Chicago and graduated with a law degree from Georgetown University.
GOUD cares deeply for America, its freedoms, and its opportunities. GOUD understands that these freedoms and opportunities must be upheld by citizens willing to serve.
GOUD has served our country in a number of roles:
- JAG Officer in the US Army Reserves and the Utah National Guard
- Deployed to Afghanistan (Operation Enduring Freedom)
- Deployed to Kuwait (Operation Inherent Resolve)
Use of GOUD's military rank and photographs in uniform doesn't imply endorsement by the Army or DoD.
Scheduled Poll Watching
Scheduled Poll Watching
Scheduled Poll Watching
Poll watching is a proven way for citizens and campaign volunteers of all political persuasions to ensure that election laws are being followed. Poll watching is an essential tool to help spot irregularities.
As your County Clerk, GOUD will welcome citizens' involvement in Salt Lake County poll watching. GOUD will post a detailed "Poll Watch" schedule well before the counting begins so that poll watchers and campaigns can conveniently plan in advance. Read about it here.
Secure Drop Box Ballots
Scheduled Poll Watching
Scheduled Poll Watching
In the 2020 General Election, 57% of voters used “drop boxes” to return their ballots to the Salt Lake County Clerk’s Office. Naturally, drop boxes increase the number of steps required to return your ballot safely to the Clerk’s office.
In order to secure the drop-box ballots, it is crucial to establish a proper chain of custody. GOUD proposes several measures for this. Among them are electronic time stamps and a log of pickup and delivery. Read more here.
Open Records Access
Verification of Voting Machines
Verification of Voting Machines
The Government Records Access and Management Act (GRAMA) allows citizens to request records to ensure public interest and the laws are being respected.
But certain County Clerks approached the State Legislature asking to make it harder and more expensive for citizens to request information. The result is HB96.
GOUD will exercise discretion and work with citizens to help provide free or low cost GRAMA requests. Read more here.
Verification of Voting Machines
Verification of Voting Machines
Verification of Voting Machines
GOUD has been approached by both Democrat and Republican IT professionals raising concerns:
- There could potentially be a back door, allowing third parties to manipulate the software.
- Potential hacking because the machines cannot be blocked from accessing the internet.
GOUD proposes verification methods that anyone can participate in, for example hand counting to compare with the machine tabulator. GOUD will regularly conduct audits like that to assure voters that the machines work properly. Read more here.
Why it is Good to Question the Election Process
Why it is Good to Question the Election Process
Why it is Good to Question the Election Process
Op-Ed SL Trib: Candidate for Salt Lake County Clerk promises transparency and accuracy in elections.
Excerpt follows:
Democrat Stacey Abrams refused to concede her 2018 defeat as her office stated: “the system failed voters.” In a 2020 interview, Hillary Clinton continued “with her conviction that the 2016 presidential election was not conducted legitimately.” And former President Donald Trump continues to allege a “stolen election.” These are candidates who lost elections, complaining about the results, and in some cases, the process . . .
Because more than 90% of Salt Lake County’s voters use mail-in ballots, the county clerk’s office must take additional steps to protect the methods and systems . . .
Here are a few of my proposals:
1. Drop Boxes - Currently, voters physically deliver nearly 60% of their . . .
Read more here.
Election Audits
Why it is Good to Question the Election Process
Why it is Good to Question the Election Process
In the private sector, it is standard practice for companies to conduct multiple audits throughout the year to help businesses understand what is and is not working well.
GOUD believes audits involving public systems, elected officials, and voter integrity should be standard practice, especially since these items are funded by you, the taxpayer.
Unfortunately, it appears that thorough and regularly scheduled audits have not been conducted at the County Clerk's office, and certain elected officials have pushed back, even taken personally, the simple request to implement such a practice.
Safest Methods of Voting
Safest Methods of Voting
Safest Methods of Voting
The State Legislature determines what methods of voting are legal in Utah. The County Clerk's job is to inform voters of the pros and cons of each type of voting.
By law, there are currently four ways that you can submit a ballot to the Clerk’s office:
- in-person voting;
- submit a mail ballot at an in-person voting location;
- submit a mail ballot into a dropbox; and
- submit a mail ballot through the U.S. Mail.
Find out about the pros and cons of each method of voting here.
Ensure Clean Voter Rolls
Safest Methods of Voting
Safest Methods of Voting
There are three different categories of voter records: public, private, and withheld. As your County Clerk, GOUD will use a predetermined, transparent process as needed to verify the accuracy of voter rolls.
This will be followed by a progress report every other year that will tell voters how the Clerk’s office verified those records.
The progress report will be available for citizen review and comment.
Read more here.
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