Opinion | Building Relationships to Empower Trusted Messengers
Jane Andersen, the Arizona State Director of Mormon Women for Ethical Government (MWEG) and an Arizona Pillar, published an article in The Fulcrum to discuss how visiting the Maricopa County Tabulation and Election Center (MCTEC) with Pillars of the Community reinforced her community’s trust in the integrity of Arizona elections. She wrote:
For groups and organizations concerned about advancing democracy, meeting with election officials doesn’t have to be a heavy lift. When reaching out to election officials, always lead with your “why.” Figure out other groups interested in election confidence and make plans together. You don’t have to always go it alone. Don’t restrict opportunities just for the leaders in your organization. Giving your everyday members these one-on-one chances to connect with election administrators gives them upfront and personal knowledge of these people and processes, and helps them understand how important they are in their communities. Their firsthand experiences will translate into firsthand knowledge. Our members who attended went from interested spectators to active advocates.
Here is what some women said after these visits:
- “I now know the sources in the state I can turn to to receive accurate information about elections and election results.”
- “I learned exactly how secure and particular the election process is. There’s little room for error, and the checks and balances are intricate and established.”
- “Slow counting and processes do not equate to fraud. The rules and regulations drive the timeline, not fraudulent activity” (something that especially matters in Arizona).