The Republican National Committee has opened another front in its propaganda war to discredit potential election results in a half-dozen swing states. The RNC sent a letter to top state election officials this week saying that it has received reports of electronic votes that are cast for Mitt Romney immediately turning into votes for Barack Obama.

The top election officials in two of those states—Nevada and North Carolina—quickly wrote back letters calling the RNC’s charge “irresponsible and unfortunate,” and based on little more than “rumors and Internet hysteria.” Both gave detailed explanations why the RNC’s alleged vote-hopping scenario was little more than a blip; they said machine errors occur but noted that voters are given multiple chances to review and change their choices.