Voting technology company reaches settlement with far-right news outlet over 2020 election allegations

Smartmatic, a voting technology company, has settled a defamation lawsuit against conservative news outlet One America News Network. This settlement is part of a larger legal battle by voting equipment companies targeted by false claims of election fraud in the 2020 presidential election.

The lawsuit was filed in response to conspiracy theories that falsely claimed Smartmatic had flipped votes and cost former President Donald Trump reelection. Despite the limited use of Smartmatic’s technology in only one Democratic stronghold in California, the company became a target for these baseless claims.

Smartmatic’s settlement with OANN was filed in federal court in the District of Columbia, and the terms remain confidential. This legal action is part of a broader pushback by voting equipment companies against misinformation and defamation.

In a similar case, Fox News settled a defamation lawsuit with Dominion Voting Systems for $787 million last year. Dominion claimed that Fox News and its hosts spread false claims about their equipment rigging the election against Trump.

The conspiracy theories surrounding voting equipment and software have been debunked through numerous reviews, audits, and recounts in swing states. President Joe Biden’s victory has been affirmed, and there is no evidence of widespread fraud. Trump is currently facing federal and state charges related to his efforts to overturn the election results.