Vote with confidence, Maricopa County elections are secure

Jon C. Altmann

Submitted photo/Jon C. Altmann

As Election Day Approaches

To allow candidates the right to respond to criticisms about their candidacy before Election Day, the last day Independent Newsmedia will publish new election-related letters in our weekly print editions is Oct. 21, and the last day they will publish online is Oct. 27. Candidates may submit a 150-word reply addressing criticisms only and should email them to AzOpinions@iniusa.org along with their name, address, contact number and the headline of the letter they’re addressing.

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OPINION — Free and fair elections must be protected like critical infrastructure. 

Those were my thoughts as I toured the Maricopa County Tabulation and Election Center, the nerve center where ballots are processed, verified and counted. I carried into this tour over two decades with naval intelligence, including time with national command staff where I inspected intelligence facilities and handled sensitive materials. 

MCTEC has layers of security, from its perimeter fencing to vigilant security personnel. Access is restricted to any portion of the building handling ballots. These areas are visible to the public through a lobby window and livestream cameras. Ballot observers from each of the political parties watch verification procedures up close. 

In my professional opinion, Maricopa County’s ballot security is rigorous, similar to how our nation’s intelligence community manages sensitive materials.   

That’s not all. Ballot tabulators are never connected to the internet, and Arizona uses paper ballots that can be audited and recounted post-election to ensure accuracy. 

While Congress debates proof of citizenship and voter ID requirements, Arizona has had these rules in place for 20 years. Our election security sets the bar for other states to follow. 

Unfortunately, misinformation regarding Arizona elections is rampant. I’ve been pleased to learn the truth about our state’s procedures by participating in a bipartisan group called Pillars of the Community, which has provided an open process to learn firsthand how our right to vote is protected. This kind of transparency challenges election myths, changes minds and calms doubts. 

Anyone may tour MCTEC. The Maricopa County Elections Department hosts regular public tours. 

Early voting has begun. Arizona voters can have confidence in the security of this process and that every lawful ballot will be counted. 

Jon Altmann is a retired U.S. Navy senior chief intelligence specialist. This opinion is a statement of his professional experience and does not constitute an endorsement by the Navy or the U.S. Department of Defense. Please submit comments at yourvalley.net/letters or email them to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.