Legacy Teams Undermine Election Integrity

The Myth: Clerks Can Run Elections Any Way They Want

In 2023, a former Missouri Deputy Secretary of State claimed, “The clerk can run this any way she wants,” as a bipartisan team certified their own work without a Verification Board. This myth allows legacy teams to undermine election integrity by bypassing bipartisanship, as seen in Detroit’s 2020 election when windows were covered to block Republican watchers.

Finding: Legacy Teams Erode Bipartisanship

The Problem with Legacy Teams

Bipartisanship ensures fair elections, but legacy teams undermine election integrity when county committees fail to nominate judges and bipartisan teams. Clerks appoint the same “Legacy Teams” (in some cases, for decades), prioritizing convenience over fairness and sometimes rejecting new nominees. In Osage County, a Legacy Team certified results with 57 test ballots included — caught by my Election Results Verification (ERV) tool. In Vernon County’s 2024 primary, the ERV tool found 350 missing ballots due to an upload error, overlooked by the Legacy Team.

Restore Bipartisanship with Fresh Teams and Tools

Rotating election roles prevents complacency and invites new, younger participants, ensuring transparency. My ERV tool helps Verification Boards catch errors, restoring proper oversight separate from bipartisan teams.

Action for Elected Officials

Legacy Teams undermine bipartisanship, risking errors and exclusion. Support policies requiring rotation of election roles and use of tools like the ERV to ensure fair, transparent elections.

Read the full content at Finding: Legacy Teams Undermine Bipartisan Intent