Can the vote be trusted? A conversation on US election integrity.

Ahead of President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration, Americans remain divided over the integrity of the election. This is despite Congress having certified the results, and officials across the political spectrum assuring the public that the 2020 election was secure – perhaps “the most secure in American history.”

But what does it mean to have a secure election? Is it ensuring that our systems are protected from cyberattacks? That we have ways to independently verify every vote? What about consistently investing in new technologies and resources for election officials?

For Mark Lindeman, interim co-director of the nonpartisan organization Verified Voting, it’s all of the above – and then some. 

“Doing better objectively and technically does not automatically translate to protecting American elections,” he says. “Voters need to have some fundamental belief that election results are trustworthy. And we can’t congratulate ourselves to the extent that we’re failing to provide that.”  

In this episode of “Rethinking the News,” we delve into what truly makes our elections free, fair, and secure. With guests Mr. Lindeman and Lawrence Norden, director of the Election Reform Program at New York University’s Brennan Center for Justice. 

This is the first of two episodes on trusting our elections.

“Rethinking the News” is a podcast that aims to make room for constructive conversations across a range of perspectives, and bring Monitor journalism straight to your ears. To learn more about the podcast and find new episodes, please visit our page. 

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Jessica Mendoza: Welcome to “Rethinking the News” by The Christian Science Monitor. Here, we create space for constructive conversations across a range of issues and perspectives, to give you the information you need to come to your own conclusions. I’m Jessica Mendoza.

Samantha Laine Perfas: And I’m Samantha Laine Perfas.

[Music]

Jess: The 2020 election has been certified. Officials across the political spectrum have come out in force to support the integrity of the results. 

Sam: They’ve refuted President Donald Trump’s false claims of election rigging. 

Jess: And on Tuesday, January 20th, former vice president Joe Biden will be inaugurated as the 46th president of the United States. 

But many Americans still have doubts. Ahead of November 3rd, Gallup