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.
