Volunteers demonstrated democracy in action

We are in a time where many of our most important institutions are questioned and doubted. I had the opportunity to view firsthand our most cherished institution in a democracy — the voting process — and I came away with my faith in the processed reaffirmed. The seriousness of the process was evident from when a vote is cast until the ballot is counted.

This year, I was involved in the ballot counting process in Bonner County from Tuesday at 8 p.m. until Wednesday at 6 a.m. A scanner counted the ballots and if there was a ballot that was not clear it was sent to a Resolution Board consisting of one Democrat and one Republican who worked together to clarify the ballot. If the ballot was a write-in-ballot it was sent to a three-member ballot counting team consisting of Democrats and Republicans.

The write-in ballot was read aloud and two people with different party affiliations recorded results.

Before the result of each precinct was announced the total count for each candidate was checked and rechecked.

This team was not a team of Republicans and Democrats but a team of Americans working together to ensure that, if you voted, your vote was correctly counted. Experiencing the democratic process, seeing the professionalism and dedication of the Bonner County officials and that of the volunteers reinforced the importance of participating in the most basic aspect of our democracy.

Do not question or doubt. In Bonner County your vote was recorded exactly as it was placed.

KEN MEYERS

Sagle