From: Lee Shipman
Columbus
I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all the recently elected candidates and express my anticipation in supporting them in their forthcoming roles. As a recent participant in the electoral process, I had the privilege of serving as an election worker in Bartholomew County. Amidst the calm moments of the recent Election Day, another election worker raised the topic of election equipment and processes, emphasizing the local advantage we enjoy in light of the prevalent discourse on election fraud in our society.
As a novice election worker, I found myself uncertain about responding to this assertion in the moment. However, with some reflection, I feel compelled to address it now, with the hope that my words reach not only my colleague but the broader community as well.
Firstly, it is crucial to acknowledge that the overarching concern about election integrity primarily stems from the unfounded claims made by the former president regarding the 2020 presidential election. It is noteworthy that these claims are exclusive to that specific race, with no similar doubts cast on other contests, including multiple Senate races in Georgia.
I want to emphasize that Indiana, including Bartholomew County, does not possess a unique formula for election integrity that is absent elsewhere. Claims of thousands of deceased or felon voters in other states, voting machines altering votes, or an excess of voters compared to registrations have been debunked and proven as baseless allegations. Ultimately, the former president and his allies lost more than 60 court cases in numerous courts and in numerous states.
Equally significant is the absence of elected Republican officials from our state openly addressing the 2020 presidential election with factual accuracy. This includes our county clerk, who, given her role, should be recognized as an election expert. Despite my persistent efforts for over a year, she has refrained from publicly commenting on the 2020 presidential election and, since September, from educating constituents about the falsehoods propagated by the former president. It is disheartening that elected officials have not countered these claims, especially given the wealth of evidence disproving them. All voters need to have complete confidence in the integrity of our local, state and national election system.
Looking ahead, we may need to turn to the public proceedings of the Georgia trial involving the former president and his associates to gain the clarity required for a majority of the local electorate. It is my sincere hope that truth prevails, and our community can move forward with a shared understanding of the validity of the 2020 presidential election and the broader issue of election integrity.
