DEBBIE LESKO: The Road To True Election Integrity In America lays out a straightforward promise: secure the vote, restore trust, and hold systems accountable. This piece explains why election integrity matters from a local to a national level, what concrete steps were taken in Maricopa County, and how those steps aim to rebuild confidence across the political spectrum. It highlights audits, legislation, and hands-on transparency efforts designed to ensure every lawful vote counts and every process is visible.
When I ran for the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors I promised to listen and get elections right, plain and simple. Maricopa is one of the nation’s largest counties and often sets expectations for how elections run elsewhere. If people don’t trust local contests, they won’t trust presidential contests either, so restoring trust here matters to every citizen.
My career in public service has always centered on protecting the integrity of the ballot box for every American. That means backing laws that require voter identification and proof of citizenship, banning noncitizen voting, and putting an end to ballot harvesting that can open the door to abuse. Those are not partisan talking points; they’re common-sense guardrails to ensure elections reflect the will of eligible voters.
In Congress I voted against proposals that would have loosened these protections, and I supported measures aimed at preserving the reliability of our system. I backed the SAVE Act because even one improper vote is one too many when it comes to fair representation. Strong rules and practical reforms give voters confidence that their participation truly matters.
One of my first duties in office was to push for independent audits of Maricopa County’s election processes, and funding was approved quickly after I took my seat. We commissioned a technology audit to verify that equipment and software couldn’t be tampered with and that critical systems are not connected in ways that would expose them to outside interference. A separate, comprehensive review looked at chain of custody, physical security, tabulation integrity, and drop box safeguards to ensure every step is defensible.
These audits were put out for open bid so experienced auditors could compete to do the work, and the board selected a nationally reputable firm to conduct the reviews. The point was never to cast blame but to be transparent about what’s working and what needs improvement. A public, professional audit gives voters clear results and a path to fix any vulnerabilities the review uncovers.
Restoring trust also means listening, not shouting. I’ve made it a priority to bring people from all sides into the elections department to see operations firsthand and ask questions directly of the officials who run elections. Those tours and conversations have been powerful: skeptical attendees often leave with a better understanding of procedures and a renewed willingness to engage constructively.
Building consensus requires patience and openness, and we can’t marginalize good-faith concerns simply because voices are passionate or inconvenient. My approach has been to include diverse viewpoints at the table and to treat feedback as an opportunity to tighten processes and improve transparency. That kind of practical, boots-on-the-ground work is what actually moves the needle toward secure, trusted elections for our kids and grandchildren.
