In November 2022, Ottawa County was selected as a finalist to receive funding to improve integrity and access to elections as part of a program from the US Alliance for Election Excellence. According to the US Alliance for Election Excellence website, “Our goal is to alleviate pressure, celebrate local election departments, and provide support to those supporting our democracy.”
At the February 16, 2023 Ottawa County Board of Commissioners Meeting, local resident Gayle Rolloffs spoke about the decision to remove the Ottawa Elections Division from consideration of funding from the US Alliance for Election Excellence. Although she was in favor of the decision, she asked several interesting questions.
“As I looked into the US Alliance for Election Excellence, and what it stands for, and who backed it with money, I was surprised that Ottawa County even considered being part of it. On the website was Mr. Roebuck’s note about becoming one of the finalists for the program, and he stated, ‘we are so excited and thankful for the opportunity to partner with the colleagues from across the country in the US Alliance for Election Excellence for the inaugural program.’ So, I ask, what changed in the two months of becoming a finalist and withdrawing from the alliance? Was it the fact that this board of commissioners is going through every department of this county with a fine-tooth comb? Or is it because our county doesn’t need or want money from the likes of the Rockefellers, Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, and many more like them who funnel money through the US Alliance for Election Excellence. The board and We the People deserve more transparent answers.”
Whether it was fear or courage that provoked Ottawa County to withdraw from consideration, it appears to be a good decision for Ottawa County in this case. When large amounts of money are offered through non-profit organizations professing to improve your process, the money almost always comes with strings attached.