Building Trust Through Transparency: My Visit to an Election Systems Test

As faith leaders, we have a responsibility to protect the integrity of our democracy by sharing what we know with our communities. Together, we can instill confidence in the safety of our elections, assuring people that every vote will be counted fairly.

On Thursday, October 17, 2024, I had the opportunity to observe the Montgomery County Board of Elections conduct one of the most crucial behind-the-scenes processes in any election: the public testing of election systems. These Logic & Accuracy (L&A) tests are a transparent way to ensure that the voting systems work as expected before Early Voting and Election Day for the 2024 Presidential General Election. By inviting the public to witness this process, election officials reaffirm the integrity and security of our elections.

I was invited to attend by Protect Democracy, one of Interfaith Alliance’s partners in our pro-democracy work. They created the Faith in Elections Playbook with Interfaith America, which is a great resource for nonpartisan activities to support the democratic process. 

The testing took place at the Montgomery County Board of Elections, located in Gaithersburg, Maryland. It was an eye-opening experience that reinforced my belief in the safety and security of our electoral process. The equipment tested is the same that voters will use in the upcoming election, and every machine is checked thoroughly to guarantee accurate performance. What struck me most was the transparency of the entire process. Anyone, whether in-person or virtually, could attend the event and observe these procedures, proving that election officials welcome scrutiny and openness.

Our local NBC News affiliate was present at the testing and you can watch their report here: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5OkWi\_mLlU

At a time when misinformation about elections runs rampant, public confidence in election integrity is crucial. Counties across the country regularly conduct L&A tests, but what often goes unnoticed is that anyone can attend these tests. This is a powerful way to increase trust in our election systems, as transparency is key to dispelling doubts. The tests ensure that machines correctly read and tabulate votes, performing their task flawlessly before being used in an actual election.

In Montgomery County, the equipment was put through a series of tests, simulating the voting process to ensure that every vote will be recorded correctly. No question was off the table for those in attendance, making this a great opportunity for those with concerns to raise them directly with public officials. This level of openness is essential for maintaining faith in our democratic processes.

I believe faith leaders have an important role to play in safeguarding democracy. In many communities, faith leaders are trusted messengers who can share reliable information, counteracting the flood of misinformation that threatens to undermine confidence in elections. By organizing other religious and civic leaders to attend L&A tests and share their experiences, we can help educate our communities and affirm that the systems in place to protect the integrity of the vote are working.

This is not just about attending an event; it’s about ensuring that voters can feel confident in the election process. By witnessing the testing first-hand, we can give a credible, first-person account that reassures people in our communities that their votes will be counted accurately.

Witnessing the public demonstration of voting technology reaffirmed my belief in the strength of our democracy. The lengths that election officials go to ensure the security of our elections are truly impressive, from conducting public tests to providing transparency at every step. For those who are skeptical, this is a process that invites you in, allowing you to see for yourself that there is nothing to hide.

Guthrie Graves-Fitzsimmons is the Senior Director of Policy & Advocacy at Interfaith Alliance.