This week, Secretary of State Denny Hoskins hosted something unprecedented in Missouri: a public demonstration of election equipment. To my knowledge, this level of transparency has never been offered before. Although I would prefer all Missouri elections be conducted without this type of election equipment, I am grateful for the opportunity to attend and learn more about how the technology behind our elections is designed to function.
Events like this matter. At a time when many Missourians have sincere questions about election integrity, offering an open, hands-on look at the machines available to our local election authorities is an important step toward rebuilding trust. I deeply appreciate the Secretary’s willingness to provide that access—not only for legislators, but for the public as well.
The demonstration featured equipment from Hart InterCivic, currently the only election machine company in compliance with the March 25, 2025, executive order requiring 2.0 security standards. Their participation offered valuable insight into what compliant technology looks like and what it means for secure elections going forward.
While inclement weather unfortunately kept some from attending, I am hopeful that this will be the first of many educational opportunities. More transparency, more information, and more public engagement can only help strengthen confidence in Missouri’s election systems.
It is also important to note that the Secretary of State’s office does not have the authority to mandate or prohibit the use of election equipment nor dictate the vendor used. Those decisions rest with local election authorities. Even so, Secretary Hoskins has made a commendable effort to provide clarity and education—especially for those who have genuine concerns or simply want to better understand how these systems work. For that, his efforts are sincerely appreciated.
Missourians deserve confidence in their elections, and transparency is a powerful tool in ensuring it. We look forward to seeing more opportunities like this in the future.
