Custer County Elections will be safe and accurate this November

By Kelley Camper

In light of an ongoing investigation into a data breach in some county offices, I thought it was important that you hear directly from me, your elected County Clerk and Recorder, about why the elections we hold in November will be secure and the results will be accurate.

I recognize the work of Sheriff Smith and don’t want to do anything that might interfere with an active investigation, so I will only outline the security measures that are always in place in our Elections Division and not address specifically, the current situation he is investigating.

First and foremost, our voting equipment is not and never has been connected to the internet.  That means there is no way the equipment can be “hacked” by anyone outside.  To make any changes at all to our equipment, you must have physical access to the individual pieces of equipment.

Next, only two individuals have physical access to our sealed and locked up voting equipment between elections, and that is myself and my elections manager.  Nobody is ever alone with the equipment and the room where the equipment is stored is under continuous camera surveillance.

I’m confident that our voting equipment was not compromised. However, with an abundance of caution, a Trusted Build was performed on our voting equipment last week.  This Trusted Build further ensures that our voting system software and firmware have been unaltered as we prepare for this election.  Voters can feel confident that their vote will be counted exactly as they cast it for the November General Election.

In October, we will conduct a public test of the voting equipment, which again, would allow us to catch anything that might be wrong.

As you return your ballots in November, they will be handled under strict security by bipartisan teams of election judges who will make sure your vote is accurately recorded. Following the election, a second team of volunteer citizens will check our results and will certify the vote.  Every ballot, envelope, and any material related to the election will be saved for 25 months and is always open to public inspection.

I outline these security procedures, which we follow to the letter, because I want you to hear directly from me why you can trust the election results from our county.  We have worked hard to ensure that our processes protect the voting equipment and the sanctity of your ballot at every step of the way.  We would never do anything to compromise your trust in your right to make your voice heard.

I know these are difficult times and it is easy to be confused about what you are seeing and hearing.  If you have any questions at all about the work we do to carry out your elections, I urge you to reach out to me to get your questions answered.  We are your source for accurate information!