tions require more transparency. Why Do Some on Left Want Less? //

Why is it that some self-described “champions” of democracy are calling for less transparency in elections rather than more?

The transparent elections that are guaranteed by the hundreds of thousands of law-abiding observers who volunteer to observe elections across the country, are an essential part of democracy.

The true champions for democracy are poll observers.

Over the last few years, election officials tried to limit the ability for poll observers to monitor and supervise elections, at least in areas with a history or controversies and problems.

Jocelyn Benson, Michigan Secretary of State, recently issued guidance that would limit the rights of partisan election challengers (Michigan’s nickname for poll watchers). Because the guidance was significantly different from the secretary’s previous formal rules and adversely affected one party’s observers; conservative groups challenged the guidance to determine if it violated Michigan law as well as the state’s Administrative Procedures Act.

A state court ruled against Benson’s guidance, and prohibited election officials from implementing it. However, Benson appealed the decision of the lower court and it was stayed.

These proposals show a growing trend of partisan officials attempting to limit access to poll observers in the election process. This is threatening the goal of honest and open elections.

The North Carolina State Board of Elections has recently promulgated new Rules to restrict poll observers under oath to limit “disruption” and “promote safety” at polling locations.

The John Locke Foundation stated that these new rules would compromise election transparency by placing an “onerous burden” on observers who are trying to do their jobs, and on the ability for political parties to recruit observers.

Although the North Carolina Rules Review Commission stopped the changes to the election board’s rules, the board issued written guidance this year to severely limit access for partisan observers. Conservative groups successfully challenged this guidance for how it wrongly abused transparency in North Carolina elections.

Nevada conservative groups brought a successful challenge against the refusal of the state to disclose public records about the political affiliations of its poll workers.

Many states have opposed the efforts of the Voter Reference Foundation to make publicly available information from voting records online.

Since decades, poll observers have been an integral part of American elections. The presence of observers representing all political parties and from the public ensures that the process follows the prescribed procedures. They help to identify potential issues before voters become disenfranchised.

They protect the electoral process from bad actors seeking to influence the outcome of the elections . They also give the public confidence that the election was fair.

Left-wing activists have made unfounded and hyperbolic claims that violence will occur if conservative poll observers are allowed access to elections alongside left-leaning observers.

Liberal officials have used these exaggerated claims to justify their efforts to limit access to conservative poll observers.

It’s impossible to expect either side to accept results after back-to-back presidential election marred by controversy .

Even if Americans believe their elections are being properly administered, they should still have the ability to observe every step of the process to confirm that it is.

Outside observers are required to ensure that election officials run free and fair votes and appear to be running free and fair ones. This system is essential to avoid false accusations of election malfeasance. It allows for any illegal conduct to be immediately identified, corrected, and resolved.

Many voters will doubt the integrity of the results if they don’t have constant eyes from observers from different parties.

Only by banning or restricting one party’s observers, dangerous accusations that undermine voter trust can ring even louder.

It also stigmatizes the important and necessary work of hundreds of thousands honest and hardworking citizens who volunteer faithfully every election cycle to ensure transparency in our elections.

Every voter should desire transparent and open elections. Transparency is the key to restoring voter confidence.

The Daily Signal offers a variety perspectives. This article is not meant to represent the views of The Heritage Foundation.

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