Fact Check: No Evidence That George Soros Owns Smartmatic Voting Machines

A widely shared social media claim alleges that billionaire philanthropist George Soros owns Smartmatic voting machines and warns voters to avoid using them. However, this claim has been proven false.

The misinformation, circulated in posts on platforms like Facebook, suggests that Soros controls Smartmatic and encourages voters in certain U.S. states to demand paper ballots instead of using electronic voting machines.

According to reporting by The Associated Press, there is no evidence to support this claim. Soros does not own Smartmatic, a company that provides election technology services.

Smartmatic confirmed that its only client in the United States at the time was Los Angeles County. Other states mentioned in the viral posts—such as Michigan, Missouri, and Washington—do not use Smartmatic systems. Instead, they rely on certified vendors like Dominion Voting Systems, Election Systems & Software, and Hart InterCivic.

The confusion appears partly linked to Mark Malloch-Brown, chairman of Smartmatic’s parent company, who serves on the board of the Open Society Foundations—an organization founded by Soros. However, this connection does not mean Soros owns or controls Smartmatic.

The viral message also claims that U.S. law guarantees voters the right to request a paper ballot. While voting procedures vary by state, the claim is misleading because it is presented alongside false ownership information, creating confusion about election integrity.

False claims about election systems can undermine public trust in democratic processes. Misinformation like this often resurfaces during election periods, contributing to confusion and skepticism among voters.

The repeated circulation of this claim since at least 2016 highlights how quickly inaccurate information can spread online, especially when it involves well-known figures like Soros or sensitive topics like voting security.

Accurate information is critical during elections. Voters rely on trustworthy sources to understand how voting systems work and to feel confident that their votes are counted fairly.

There is no evidence that George Soros owns Smartmatic voting machines. The claim is false and has been repeatedly debunked. Voters are encouraged to rely on verified information from credible sources to make informed decisions and avoid being misled by viral misinformation.