US Election Assistance Commission - Voluntary Voting System Guidelines Vote
EAC Home
Introduction
View Guidelines
View Comments
Glossary

View Comments

Section CommentsGeneral CommentsGlossary Comments
 
Name :   Mary Kiffmeyer
Organization :   Minnesota Secretary of State
Post Date :   9/30/2005

General Comments
Comment :  TRANSPARENCY
 
A.ELECTIONS PROCESS

Throughout the elections process, regardless of jurisdictional  
level, it is important for the public to be able to watch what is being  
accomplished with who is accomplishing it.  Transparency is essential for  
the public to have trust in this process.  Therefore, the VVSG must ensure that the maximum transparency possible is maintained in establishing  
voting system guidelines.

This gives assurance to the public that their needs and expectations are being taken into consideration, and that the process is working for them, and not against them.

The public must have confidence that the process is functioning  
at the intended level.

Recommendations for Achieving Transparency:

I would suggest that transparency in the elections process can be  
achieved through adding public meetings, and reasonable public comment periods, just to name a few.  The goal is public access to a system that is set up for the voter.  Informing the public is the first step in assuring that their needs are taken into account, and that the process is  
achieved accordingly.