Anyone who doubts the integrity of elections should try serving as a poll worker so they can observe what checks and balances are involved, U.S. Election Assistance Commission Commissioner Ben Hovland has told Newsweek.
As President Donald Trump persists with his allegations of fraud and widespread irregularities, Hovland said that those involved in running elections care more than anyone that this is done in a fair and accurate manner.
“Election officials care more about the integrity of elections than anyone else I know,” he said.
“If there was basis to these claims they would want to see them and get to the bottom of it.”
Asked what he would say to those who do not trust the outcome, Hovland told Newsweek: “Whenever I run into people who lack confidence in the integrity of the election process, I encourage them to serve as a poll worker.”
He added that anyone who might serve in such a capacity would see the checks and balances in place while being witness to the security protocols.
Regarding ongoing election lawsuits, Hovland noted what is being said in court and in press conferences differs.
“They [the president and his allies] are having the opportunity to make their case and they’re failing to make it,” he added.
Hovland, a Trump appointee, has previously broken rank with the president and insisted he has confidence in the election process.
In regard to questions over the outcomes, he said: “I think it’s unfortunate that has taken over the conversation rather than the reality that state and local election officials did an amazing job and ran an amazing election in the face of unprecedented challenges.”
He also said the American people should be commended for how they approached the vote, by casting in ballots in different ways and participating in such high numbers despite the pandemic.
As recounts continue, Hovland said he hopes that people seeing results confirmed as they were previously allows people to “take some comfort,” if they were unsure over the integrity of the processes.
“I believe they should, I have that confidence in the system,” he said.
Newsweek has contacted the Trump campaign for comment.
The president continues to criticize the elections process and has insisted that widespread fraud and irregularities facilitated Biden’s success.
Networks have called Biden as the election victor, with 306 Electoral College votes. However, Trump has rejected the judgment of the “lamestream media.”
He continues to push against the outcome, despite his team having failed to evidence widespread fraud which could change this thus far.
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