EAC - Voluntary Voting System Guidelines

Name : | Mary Kiffmeyer
Organization : | Minnesota Secretary of State
Post Date : | 9/30/2005
General Comments
Comment : | TRANSPARENCY A.ELECTIONS PROCESS Throughout the elections process, regardless of jurisdictional level, it is important for the public to be able to watch what is being accomplished with who is accomplishing it. Transparency is essential for the public to have trust in this process. Therefore, the VVSG must ensure that the maximum transparency possible is maintained in establishing voting system guidelines. This gives assurance to the public that their needs and expectations are being taken into consideration, and that the process is working for them, and not against them. The public must have confidence that the process is functioning at the intended level. Recommendations for Achieving Transparency: I would suggest that transparency in the elections process can be achieved through adding public meetings, and reasonable public comment periods, just to name a few. The goal is public access to a system that is set up for the voter. Informing the public is the first step in assuring that their needs are taken into account, and that the process is achieved accordingly.