Nearly 600 unopened ballots were discovered in a California county months after voters approved a statewide Democratic redistricting measure, with local election officials admitting they failed voters.

The Humboldt County Office of Elections said in a Wednesday press release that the 596 sealed but uncounted ballots did not impact the outcome of the Nov. 4 statewide special election, which centered on Proposition 50, a redistricting ballot measure pushed by California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Democrats.

The ballots were found Monday inside a locked drop box, prompting county officials to say they had not been tampered with because the box was locked, and the ballots remained sealed. Officials said the error stemmed from a miscommunication over whether the drop box had been fully emptied before certification.

«While the mistake occurred after an election worker did not follow proper procedures, the responsibility for what happened ultimately sits with me. I did not have strong enough controls in place to prevent this, but we do now,» Humboldt County Clerk-Recorder and Registrar of Voters Juan Pablo Cervantes said in the news release. «We have taken corrective action and already updated our protocols. A new lock out, tag out procedure has been implemented for every ballot drop box to ensure each box is physically verified as empty and secured before election results are finalized.»

SUPREME COURT SHUTS DOWN CALIFORNIA GOP BID TO BLOCK NEWSOM’S NEW MAP

While the ballots will not change the outcome of the November election, Humboldt County officials said they are still endeavoring to ensure all ballots get counted, apologizing to voters that they «fell short» of their duties.

«I promise you that we are taking this seriously,» Cervantes added. «We will strengthen our processes and continue pushing toward the standard our community expects and deserves.»

Proposition 50, championed by Newsom and California Democrats, allowed the state to temporarily use legislature-drawn congressional maps for the 2026, 2028 and 2030 elections instead of maps created by California’s independent redistricting commission.

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The California Voter ID Initiative would amend the state constitution to require voter ID when casting a ballot, require election officials to verify citizenship of registered voters and mandate the state maintain accurate voter rolls if passed. (Christina House/Los Angeles Times; Emily Elconin/Reuters)

The measure came amid a national mid-decade redistricting fight, with Newsom and California Democrats arguing the state needed to counter GOP-led map changes in states such as Texas.

California’s normal redistricting process is handled by an independent commission, but Prop 50 created a temporary voter-approved exception allowing the state to use legislature-drawn congressional maps through 2030.

After the Supreme Court last week narrowed Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act in a Louisiana redistricting case, a ruling that could open the door for Republican-led states to pursue new maps that undercut Democratic redistricting gains in California and potential gains in states such as Virginia, California Democrats have faced pressure to consider going even further in response.

California Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton said the GOP has a chance to win this year due to what he called the «complete failure» of Gov. Gavin Newsom and Democrats. (Carlin Stiehl/Los Angeles Times)

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However, The Los Angeles Times reported Thursday that despite this urging for additional action, even after voters approved Prop 50, California Democrats have no intention of making an attempt to redraw the maps again before the midterms.

California Democratic Party Chair Rusty Hicks pointed out Democrats need to win the seats created under the state’s existing Prop 50 map they redrew last year.

«We have yet to fully win the seats in the map that was drawn in 2025. It seems a step too far to say we’re going to go back to the drawing board and redraw the map,» Hicks said, according to The Los Angeles Times.

«You all should pick up some seats. Let’s all do this together, because California cannot do it alone, it will take the rest of the country,» Hicks added, referring to pressure on Democratic-led states to counter Republican redistricting efforts nationwide.

The arrest of two Israeli Air Force personnel on allegations of espionage has underscored Iran’s expanding efforts to penetrate Israel’s military by recruiting operatives from within.

Over the past year and a half, Israeli police, working alongside the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency), have investigated more than 20 cases involving an estimated 40 to 50 suspects. Most remain in custody, though investigators believe additional suspects are still at large.

Capt. Sefi Berger of the Israel Police’s Lahav International and Major Crimes Unit, which investigates Iranian espionage cases, told Fox News Digital that Tehran primarily seeks intelligence that could aid attack planning, along with information on high-profile individuals and other sensitive targets.

IRAN ARRESTS DOZENS ACCUSED OF SPYING FOR ISRAEL IN NEW INTERNAL CRACKDOWN

Payments vary widely. One network of seven suspects reportedly received about $300,000, while an Iron Dome reservist was allegedly paid $1,000 — and in some cases, even less.

«People may think they will get rich, but the money is not life-changing,» Berger said. «In one case last year involving two soldiers, one received just $21 and has been in prison for a year and a half.»

Iranian recruitment tactics include infiltrating WhatsApp and Facebook groups used by Israelis seeking freelance work, as well as pornography websites, where agents allegedly use compromising material to blackmail individuals into cooperating. Recruitment also relies on emotional manipulation of individuals whose moral judgment may be compromised.

«When recruiting a person, a relationship can develop between the handler and the spy. Sometimes the asset is looking for a father figure or a friend — someone who listens without judgment,» Berger said.

Former Shin Bet handler Gonen Ben Itzhak, who spent years recruiting sources within Palestinian society, told Fox News Digital that the issue is particularly serious, saying he has not previously seen so many attempts — and some successful cases — of spying against Israel.

IRANIAN REGIME SPREADING ANTI-ISRAEL PROPAGANDA ACROSS DOZENS OF SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS: REPORT

Israel Police arresting a suspect in relation to Iranian espionage in Haifa.  (Israel Police Spokesperson)

«The million-dollar question is who makes a good recruit. We don’t have a clear answer. There are certain indicators that someone may be more susceptible. The Iranians use social media — something we didn’t have in the same way —and it’s a powerful tool to identify potential motives,» he said.

As a handler, Ben Itzhak said he sought to recruit as many viable candidates as possible while avoiding individuals likely to attract suspicion, such as known criminals. He described the process as gradual and often uncertain.

«At first, they need to agree to meet in secret. Sometimes they come but won’t share information. I would start with simple questions — who leads Hamas in their village,» he said.

«Sometimes it takes time. Some refuse to cooperate, some may even act as double agents. In many cases, they are trained to collect information without being exposed. It’s a process,» Ben Itzhak added.

In March, 22-year-old Haifa resident Ami Gaydarov was arrested on suspicion of manufacturing explosives intended to target a senior Israeli figure at the direction of an Iranian agent.

A billboard depicting Iran’s supreme leaders since 1979: (L to R) Ayatollahs Ruhollah Khomeini (until 1989), Ali Khamenei (until 2026), and Mojtaba Khamenei (incumbent) is displayed above a highway in Tehran on March 10, 2026. Iran marked the appointment of Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei to replace his father as its supreme leader on March 9, 2026.  (AFP/Via Getty Images)

Last month, a man from the Israeli-Arab city of Qalansawe was detained on suspicion of allegedly spying for «a hostile actor, mediated through the Al Jazeera channel.» According to the investigation, Miqdad Moder Hosni Natur made contact with his handler after being introduced while searching for job opportunities through the Qatari-owned news organization.

Under Israeli law, contact with a foreign agent carries a sentence of up to 15 years in prison. Providing intelligence can result in more than 10 years’ imprisonment, while aiding the enemy during wartime carries a minimum sentence of life imprisonment and, in extreme cases, the death penalty.

Berger also warned against attempts by Israelis to deceive foreign agents, stressing that any contact is a serious offense.

DANISH NATIONAL WANTED IN GERMANY ARRESTED AFTER ALLEGEDLY SPYING ON JEWISH TARGETS FOR IRAN

«We had a hotel worker near the Dead Sea who falsely told Iranians that a group of Israelis would arrive. He said it was a lie, but I explained he had effectively put a target on that hotel, its staff and guests, and encouraged an attack,» Berger said.

«People unfamiliar with this world should not engage in it. Contact is an offense, providing information is an offense, and aiding the enemy is the most severe,» he added.

Israeli citizen Moti Maman stands in a courtroom after he was accused by Israeli security services of involvement in an Iranian-backed assassination plot targeting prominent people including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in Beersheba District Court in southern Israel, Sept. 19, 2024.  (Reuters/Stringer )

While most suspects remain in custody awaiting trial, some cases are advancing through the courts.

One concluded case involved 70-year-old Moti Maman, who was convicted and sentenced to 10 years in prison after twice entering Iran, where he met with intelligence agents to discuss carrying out terrorist activity in Israel. He also discussed the possibility of assassinating Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

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Former Mossad operative Gad Shimron told Fox News Digital that while the espionage efforts have caused damage, their impact appears tactical rather than strategic. However, he cautioned against complacency.

«The electronic Iron Dome is trying to catch Israelis willing to work for the Iranians, and I believe it is quite efficient,» he said. «But one should never underestimate the enemy. I am sure they are investing a lot of effort and that they have some successes we don’t yet know of.»

El 6 de enero de 1979, Singapur quedó conmocionado por un crimen que, décadas después, todavía sigue sin resolverse. Esa mañana, Tan Kuen Chai y su esposa Lee Mei Ying salieron de su departamento en el barrio de Geylang Bahru para trabajar, como hacían todos los días. Ambos manejaban un micro escolar y debían comenzar temprano su jornada.

Antes de irse, dejaron durmiendo a sus cuatro hijos pequeños. Horas más tarde, al volver a la casa, encontraron una escena aterradora: los chicos habían sido asesinados de manera brutal.

Las víctimas eran Tan Kok Peng, de 10 años; Tan Kok Hin, de 8; Tan Kok Soon, de 6; y Tan Chin Nee, de apenas 5 años, la única nena de la familia. Los tres mayores asistían a la escuela primaria Bendemeer Road, mientras que la menor iba a un jardín de infantes.

Según la reconstrucción de los investigadores, los padres dejaron el departamento cerca de las 6:35 de la mañana. Poco después, Mei Ying intentó llamar por teléfono para despertar a los chicos, algo que hacía con frecuencia. Sin embargo, nadie respondió.

Preocupada, la mujer le pidió a un vecino que golpeara la puerta del departamento para ver si los nenes seguían durmiendo. El hombre fue hasta el lugar, pero tampoco obtuvo respuesta.

Si bien comenzaron a inquietarse, los padres siguieron trabajando hasta regresar a la casa después de las 10:00. Fue entonces cuando descubrieron una escena de horror: los cuerpos de los cuatro chicos estaban en el baño del departamento, acostado boca arriba y apilados uno encima del otro.

Un ataque brutal

El crimen no solo impactó por la edad de las víctimas, sino por la brutalidad con la cual fue cometido. De acuerdo con los informes policiales, todos los chicos tenían múltiples heridas provocadas por armas blancas. Cada uno había recibido al menos 20 puñaladas.

El mayor de los hermanos, Kok Peng, presentaba lesiones defensivas y el brazo derecho casi amputado, por lo que los peritos sospecharon que intentó defenderse o proteger a los demás durante el violento episodio. La menor, Chin Nee, tenía varios cortes en la cara.

Rápidamente, los investigadores concluyeron que no se había tratado de un robo, ya que no había señales de ingreso forzado y no faltaba ningún objeto de valor en el departamento. Además, no había signos de desorden, lo que reforzó la teoría de que el atacante había actuado con un objetivo específico.

La policía también determinó que el crimen había sido planificado. Las armas utilizadas nunca fueron encontradas, aunque se cree que el asesino usó un machete y otro cuchillo o daga. Aun así, la escena dejó algunos rastros inquietantes, como el hallazgo de manchas de sangre en la bacha de la cocina. Por ello, se sospechó que el asesino se lavó antes de escapar.

Otro detalle clave fue que Kok Peng tenía mechones de pelo atrapados en una de sus manos. Para la policía, eso indicaba que el chico probablemente había forcejeado con el asesino. Sin embargo, las limitaciones tecnológicas de la época impidieron avanzar demasiado con esa evidencia.

Por otra parte, los peritos también remarcaron la ausencia de ruidos durante el hecho. A pesar de que los departamentos de ese barrio estaban muy cerca entre sí y las paredes eran delgadas, ningún vecino escuchó gritos ni forecejos.

En esa línea, surgió un testimonio clave: un taxista informó a la policía que, cerca de las 8:00 de esa mañana, un joven de unos 20 años subió a su vehículo cerca del bloque 58. Según el conductor, el hombre tenía manchas de sangre en el lado izquierdo de su cuerpo y, al bajar, el chofer notó que llevaba un objeto punzante que golpeó contra la puerta del auto. Si bien este testigo ayudó a realizar un identikit, el sospechoso nunca fue localizado.

Una carta escalofriante

La investigación quedó en manos del Departamento de Investigación Criminal de Singapur. Durante semanas, los agentes interrogaron a más de cien personas entre vecinos, conocidos y personas cercanas a la familia. A pesar de eso, nunca lograron identificar a un sospechoso concreto.

Con el paso de los días, la principal hipótesis comenzó a apuntar a una venganza personal. La teoría cobró todavía más fuerza dos semanas después de los asesinatos, cuando la familia recibió una carta para el Año Nuevo chino firmada por alguien que decía ser “el asesino”.

La tarjeta mostraba imágenes de chicos felices jugando y tenía escrito un mensaje: “Ahora no puedes tener más descendencia, ja-ja-ja”. La frase hacía referencia a que Mei Ying se había sometido a una ligadura de trompas después del nacimiento de su hija menor.

Para los investigadores, ese detalle era fundamental, ya que quien había enviado el mensaje conocía información íntima de la familia que no era pública. Además, la carta utilizaba los apodos personales de los padres, “Ah Chai” y “Ah Eng”, algo que reforzó la sospecha de que era alguien cercano a la familia Tan.

A pesar de estas pistas, la policía nunca pudo rastrear su origen ni identificar a la persona que la había enviado.

Entre los cientos de interrogados, la policía puso bajo la lupa a un amigo de la familia, a quien los chicos llamaban “Tío” de manera cariñosa. Este hombre solía visitar la casa con frecuencia para usar el teléfono y participar en apuestas de lotería con el padre.

Incluso, fue sometido a una rueda de reconocimiento frente a un vecino que afirmó haber visto a un hombre caminar por el pasillo del edificio la mañana del crimen. Sin embargo, tras dos semanas de detención, fue liberado por falta de pruebas contundentes.

Un misterio que sigue sin respuestas

El crimen provocó una enorme conmoción en Singapur y generó temor entre los vecinos del barrio de Geylang Bahru. Durante semanas, el caso fue el tema principal de los diarios locales y se convirtió en uno de los episodios criminales más impactantes de la historia del país.

Los cuatro chicos fueron enterrados un día después de los asesinatos en el cementerio de Choa Chu Kang. Junto a ellos, la familia colocó algunos de sus juguetes favoritos, mochilas escolares y libros de estudio.

Leé también: Un triángulo amoroso y un crimen brutal: el caso de la ciclista asesinada por la novia de su amigo

Después de la tragedia, los padres dejaron el negocio del transporte escolar y comenzaron una nueva vida trabajando en una empresa dedicada a fabricar materiales de PVC. Años más tarde, Mei Ying logró revertir la esterilización y volvió a tener un hijo.