GRAND JUNCTION, CO—Ellie Sommer had been looking forward to Christmas all year. Despite several tantrums throughout 2020, the four-year-old was confident about her status on Santa’s nice list going into the holiday season. After all, with COVID shutdowns, most of her meltdowns occurred in the privacy of her own home and in front of immediate family only.
Unfortunately for Ellie, when Christmas morning came around and she’d opened all her presents, she was left confused and disappointed. “The best thing I got was a Melissa & Doug Princess Magnetic Dress-Up Play Set, she shared. “Not even close to what I asked for.”
In the aftermath, her disappointment has turned to anger. “I asked Santa for a Barbie Dreamhouse, a cherry red Power Wheels Corvette, and a pony. I got none of them! Not even one! Someone’s gonna pay!”
After calming down and reflecting on the year, Ellie has concluded that she must’ve somehow ended up on the naughty list with only one possible explanation—Santa’s system is rigged.
As it turns out, Santa transitioned this year to a new software system designed by Dominion Voting Systems, the same election services company responsible for the technology used to tally votes in many of the battleground states in the 2020 presidential election. When asked about Ellie’s claims, a company spokesperson indicated that the lists were accurate, but has refused to provide any further detail.
As for Ellie, she doesn’t know how to feel. “It’s a fraud, a total sham Christmas,” she lamented, still reeling several days later. “Why can’t I see the software code that says I’m naughty? I want that list made again and I want it checked twice. I want my damn pony!”
We asked Miranda Sommer, Ellie’s mother, whether she and her husband believe their daughter’s placement on the naughty list was the result of errors in the Dominion software or whether they believe it to be accurate. Miranda looked over at Ellie, thought for a moment, and replied, “No comment.”