Questions about voting machine testing go unanswered
Dear Editor,
Constituent engagement is a very necessary, vital and integral component of any local government who is committed to improving and fostering constituent communications. In essence, constituent engagement is the backbone of democracy. When working as intended, it is based on mutual trust, and more importantly, it is the vehicle for sharing pertinent information and delivering effective services with the sole intent of having a positive impact in the community.
To that point, when I sat down to pose what I thought was a simple question to Judge Bill English four days ago, on Oct. 24, 2024, at 11:34 a.m., it never occurred to me that I would not get a follow up response. My email was simple: “Judge English, Can you please share when and where voting machines and/or election ballot counters will be tested here in Lee County? Can you also share how/where that information is communicated, typically?” I went on to state that I had seen online where Mobile County, for example, had announced testing process in the paper, and I shared that I was simply wondering if I had missed when/where it was reported here in Lee County.
Dismissed
However, on Sunday evening, as I realized that I still had not received a follow up email response, I began to feel “some kind of way.” Was my question not important? Did I not receive a response because of my title as president of the local branch of the NAACP? Or did I ask a question that was unheard in light of the fact that voting machine testing used to be publicly announced?
My Follow Up
Given the above, on Sunday evening I sent a follow up response to Judge English that went something like this: “Hello Judge English, I am following up with you because I am disappointed that I did not receive a response to the email I sent to you on Oct. 24, 2024, 11:34 a.m. (four days ago). I recognize that you are busy, and I also recognize that as the Probate Judge of Lee County, I understand that you are responsible for the administration of the Probate Court, the licensing office and the public records office and that you serve as the Chairman of the Lee County Commission. However, I reached out to you in that you also serve as the Chief Elections Official of the county and my question was specific to the testing of the voting machines and/or election ballot counters here in Lee County. As you know, I was brief. As you also know, I stated who I was and what I was inquiring about. Additionally, I was respectful and addressed you by your appropriate title. Yet you, as an elected county official, chose not to respond to my email. Instead, it was brought to my attention that you received my email and that you chose to reach out to others and shared that you had received several inquiries on the subject. That is unfortunate, because, as an elected county official, your constituents expect for you to show a level of consideration, at a minimum, and at least acknowledge receipt of our emails. Even if you are not willing to answer or respond to questions constituents may have regarding a process that you are responsible for, I would ask that you communicate as such in lieu of letting your silence do the ‘speaking.’ Thank You, Laticia Smith, Commission District 1.”
Overall Sentiment
In my opinion, the county’s role in election administration is vital to the democratic process. And as I stated in the beginning, the county’s role is also critical to the management and administration of the election process at the local level. So, if we valued the concerns of even a small population of the approximately 130,000 registered voters in Lee County, why would Judge English not respond? More importantly, if Judge English valued the concerns of at least one registered voter in Lee County, why would he not respond to me?
It seems to me that Judge English’s goal should be to do whatever he can to assure me and ALL of his constituents that he is doing everything possible to administer an election that is fair, accurate, secure and accessible for all voters. And, even if Judge English is 100% confident that everything is “good” with his voting machines, why doesn’t he understand and/or recognize what is at stake?
The way I see it, Judge English should be astutely aware from recent history that as it relates to elections, there is a huge divide between election winners and losers. Specifically, when it comes to perceptions of electoral fairness and satisfaction with democracy, I would think that Judge English would encourage everyone to come out to the testing process to get a clear understanding of the comprehensive, rigorous and extensive testing protocols that each system must go through before it is set up in a polling place to count ballots. I would think Judge English would want to demystify the process to improve public confidence by offering his constituents an opportunity to better understand how the technology is deployed on Election Day to ensure each vote is counted.
But here we are, on Oct. 28, 2024, at 12:34 p.m., now almost five days since I sent my email and I still don’t have a response.
Here is what I know.
Counties are responsible for testing polling machines within jurisdictions all across our state.
Counties can play a significant role in the election process.
Lee County is one of those important counties in Alabama.
All Judge English had to do to improve public confidence was do what we elected him to do: Engage with his constituents and “do the right thing.”
Laticia T. Smith, Auburn
President, NAACP Lee County Branch 5038.
