What if it was a setup of the treasonous governors? What if ""XI"" made sure the Chinese ballots had special markings so that the states who "ordered" them got caught.
Tell her she's smoking too much.
No idea. She's a writer, doesn't (by outward appearances) to be someone who would be "in the know".
Yeah, I smoke too much. Shortness of breath, rattling/wheezing, etc.