Lehi council debates background checks for election equipment subcontractors

During the Monroe County Commissioners meeting on July 10, 2025, a significant discussion emerged regarding election security and the protocols surrounding subcontractors who handle voting equipment. The meeting highlighted concerns about the lack of background checks for these subcontractors, which some commissioners believe could pose a risk to the integrity of the electoral process.

The conversation began with a representative from a subcontracting company explaining that only a limited number of individuals, including himself and a clerk's office member, have access to the voting equipment. He emphasized that subcontractors never work alone with the equipment and that their role is strictly to install encrypted programs provided by a third-party service. This assurance, however, did not alleviate the concerns raised by commissioners about potential vulnerabilities in election security.

One commissioner pointed out that while poll workers, who interact directly with voters, are not subjected to background checks, the same standard should not apply to subcontractors who have access to sensitive voting technology. The commissioner expressed a strong desire to ensure public confidence in the electoral process, especially in light of rising concerns about election integrity. He urged the subcontractor to reconsider implementing background checks for his team, suggesting that it could be a necessary step to mitigate any public perception of risk.

The subcontractor responded that he would be open to background checks, stating that he believed his employees would pass them without issue. However, he also noted that the additional cost and administrative burden of conducting these checks had not been a priority over the past 11 years.

The discussion revealed a divide among the commissioners regarding the necessity of background checks for subcontractors. While some commissioners were concerned about the implications of not having these checks in place, others questioned the actual cost and feasibility of implementing such measures for a team of approximately 20 subcontractors.

As the meeting concluded, the commissioners recognized the importance of addressing these concerns proactively to maintain public trust in the electoral process. The potential for adding background checks to the subcontractor's contract remains a topic for further consideration, with the aim of ensuring that Monroe County's elections are secure and transparent. The outcome of this discussion could have lasting implications for how election security is managed in the county moving forward.