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Free and fair elections.
That's what we all want. There are many Americans who are no longer sure whether this goal is attainable.
Let's break down what a “free and fair” election actually means, and what we should expect from our voting system here in the United States.
We can all agree that free elections allow all citizens who meet voter registration qualification requirements to vote without fear or pressure.
We can also agree that a fair election is one where each vote is counted equally, accurately, and that the rules apply to everyone.
That being said, there are several elements in the election process that affect the free-and-fair goal. These include: the registration process, voter access to reliable information, access to a polling place or alternative voting method, voting free from intimidation and fraud, accurate ballot counting, and respect for the final results.
Nowhere in the “free-and-fair” definition do you see any reference to the word “perfection.” There are bound to be inadvertent errors when humans are involved in the election process. However, human errors are small, traceable, and caught by election systems built to triple-check and question data.
Hearst Television's National Investigative Unit, using its own research and two public databases, identified 513 instances since 2016 where voter or election fraud led to criminal conviction or court action. That's in a period of more than 685 million votes cast. Need we do the math to determine whether 513 instances of voter fraud affected the outcome of an election?
“Immaterial,” as an accountant would say.
What better way to find out more about the election process than to work at the polls. That's what I have done for several years now. I can say with confidence that I see no conceivable way that election results can be altered or manipulated on a mass scale as suggested in the 2020 election.
Our election workers, under the supervision of experienced and qualified leadership, make sure vote totals agree with cumulative vote tallies calculated by several different sources before the results go to their local board of canvassers for certification.
While our vote counting is secure, the information we collect to make voting decisions faces a different kind of threat.
Democracy requires active participation; voters must do the homework of researching candidates and untangling complex issues before casting a ballot. Unfortunately, information can be unreliable and full of misinformation, making research a real challenge.
First of all, not all "news" sources provide reliable information. If you enjoy networks on the "entertainment" spectrum like Fox News or MSNBC, that's fine. But do not rely entirely on their information for 100% of your analysis when making a voting decision. Supplement your information-gathering research to include news outlets with minimal partisan bias like The Hill, Reuters, and The Wall Street Journal’s news section, rather than its editorial pages. Also, the website Allsides.com offers news from all perspectives side-by-side, comparing a single news story from a center-leaning publication with stories from both conservative and liberal news sources.
Allsides.com also analyzes news outlets for partisan bias and provides their ratings.
Moreover, it is the responsibility of candidates running for office to respect the process and results of an election. Our elections are staffed by caring and patriotic Americans who believe in the democratic process. Our forefathers and mothers worked tirelessly to create this Republic, and they did their best to structure a system that protects us from tyrants and
power-hungry individuals and groups. We must continue to protect their hard work.
At the end of the day, do your best to cast a vote that reflects your views.
But not before you research and listen to the other side. We are all in this together. We are one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.