Floyd Officials Remain Confident in Election Security

Floyd County elections officials expressed confidence in the fairness and transparency of elections following a recent Georgia State Election Board decision.

The state board voted Tuesday to require a “reasonable inquiry” before an election is certified, granting a request from an election board member who refused to sign off on this year’s presidential primary.

“We’re not sure right now where they’re going with this thing,” said Floyd County Board of Elections Chairman Jerry Lee. “A lot of the details are real fuzzy right now.”

However, Lee expressed confidence in election staff and security in Floyd County. Unfortunately, Lee said, people still see problems where none exist and create issues for poll workers.

“We still have a lot of people creating problems where none exist right now,” Lee said. “But I feel very comfortable with the people we have running our elections and a lot of confidence in everything we do.”

Floyd County Election Supervisor Akyn Beck mirrored many of Lee’s comments, expressing confidence in her people and the security of the elections. She also said it is unclear what the state board’s ruling may mean and how it will impact elections directors.

“We have so many plates in the air when we’re in the middle of an election,” Beck said. Again echoing what Lee said, she added that she would wait until she hears from the secretary of state on the matter.

Confident in security measures taken in Floyd County, Lee said that it’s effectively impossible to interfere with an election. Any disputes over voter registration or individual ballots are handled as a matter of course during the regular operation of an election.

“Our machines are secured in a secure facility, and are not connected to the internet,” Lee said. “So for someone to interfere, and get away with it, is practically impossible.”