PEKIN, Ill. – Tazewell County Clerk John Ackerman says he continues to be not too warm to the idea of submitting absentee ballots by e-mail, or by any way different than the current system.
Ackerman says the federal “Freedom to Vote” act being proposed in Congress may not be the way to go in terms of election reform following allegations of meddling by outside forces.
“I don’t think you can continue to point the finger at one party,” said Ackerman. “Both parties are attempting to take the integrity of our elections down. I think individuals need to step forward to hold people accountable for why these laws are in place and what they’re doing.”
Ackerman tells WMBD’s “The Greg & Dan Show” both Democrat and Republican proposals to make voting in general easier or harder, depending on who you ask, don’t focus on the real issue that would ensure votes are really counted.
“I question whether or not we’re giving cyber-security as much attention as we should. In the elections divisions, I can tell you Illinois is leading the pack again” in terms of security, Ackerman said.
The Illinois State Board of Elections systems were hacked in 2016.
Ackerman says he doesn’t believe the feds should oversee all elections, as the Constitution clearly gives that responsibility to the states.
