This is a must read article by @rickhasen on preventing 2020 election meltdown. It should be taken seriously by officials and campaigns. However, I think it lays the groundwork for, but doesn't mention directly the most powerful efficient prevention measure. See Thread.1/ ⬇️
2/ Hasen talks about local election "administrators" and their duty to prevent a meltdown. I'd like to highlight the bi-partisan local election boards---the overseers of those staff administrators.
The "buck stops" with the county boards, who generally have significant power.
The "buck stops" with the county boards, who generally have significant power.
3/ The county boards have both power and responsibility. But these boards too often shrink from duty. No election gets finalized without the county board certification. They don't have to certify a flawed election.
They can require verifiable elections and demand audits.
They can require verifiable elections and demand audits.
4/ Most local boards can put many controls in place to require hand marked ballots and post-election verification. They can require paper back up pollbooks. They can urge people to volunteer for poll watching and then authorize full transparency at the polls and tabulation.
5/ If they feel that electronic voting is too risky, local boards generally have the power to require hand marked paper ballots as a security measure, and use their scanners that they use for mail ballots.
6/ In summary, both parties should replace passive and timid local board members with knowledgeable local attorneys or CPAs for 2020, who are not afraid to use their professional skills to demand accountable elections.
The 2020 elections can be saved by local authorities.
The 2020 elections can be saved by local authorities.
7/ Congress cannot protect 2020. The Secretaries of State are generally not inclined to act this late in the cycle for statewide impact. It's too late for significant state law changes to protect elections.
It's NOT too late to contact your local party & demand accountability
It's NOT too late to contact your local party & demand accountability
8/ Russia or other adversaries. cannot hack or disrupt the will and decisions of a county election board to create simple paper backups, paper ballots, voluntary audits and overarching transparency. Adversaries cannot control voting or vote tallies if local boards act.
9/ So why don't we see local boards acting to protect their counties? Why don't we see the political parties training and supporting their board members to demand secure practices and post-election testing? Why are the parties acting so passively with this threat looming?
