OPINION: Thankful for accurate, secure elections | Opinion

Ironically, the prominent leaders of the Democratic Party stated similar doubt in the results when their nominee lost the presidential election in 2016. Not surprisingly, the victorious republicans argued that the election results were accurate in that election cycle. 

This is now predictable. Regardless of who wins in 2024, the losing party will say it was only a result of widespread, undetected, sophisticated election fraud. 

By now, I have probably triggered people in both major parties. Regardless of whether their nominee wins or loses, party leaders should not modify their rhetoric based on the outcome. 

I am reminded of a quote attributed to Joseph Stalin that circulated social media in 2019 (even though the credit is doubtful): “…. The people who cast the votes decide nothing. The people who count the votes decide everything.”

Unfortunately, there are so many worrisome observations and concerns, some voters have concluded that voting is just a waste of time now because unfettered election fraud is rampant. I disagree. 

Since I am one of the five people in Sedgwick County that is responsible for reviewing and certifying the election results, I have a deep interest in the topic of election security. Over the last two years, I developed an educational election security presentation and have testified on election legislation numerous times. Once people see the nitty gritty details about the cross-checks and paper trail audits, most people admit they feel much better about our elections. 

Nevertheless, there are some things we can change to boost confidence in our elections even more. There is not much we can do to fix issues in other states. The concerned electors in those states need to determine what is right and wrong and work to improve their own laws.