if someone could get access to this system, they wouldn't need a zero day exploit. the systems were so far out of date from a security compliance standpoint that it would have taken the average kiddy hacker less than ten minutes using metasploit to hack this system. >> reporter: cotton and others using this moment to cast more doubt on the elections process, none of those claims, by the way, substantiated in any shape or form. meanwhile, though, this is being picked up by other states. there's an effort under way in wisconsin. there's an effort under way in pennsylvania. and in texas, a state that trump carried, as you mentioned, four counties now investigating. we don't know much more other than the secretary of state said they're looking at the two largest democratic counties and the two largest republican counties as part of their new effort. lindsey? >> all right, msnbc's steve patterson, thank you. we're going to stay on this issue in our next hour. we're going to continue to dive