I am writing the Albert Lea Tribune to thank you for your coverage of  Congressman Hagedorn’s town hall last Friday. That said, a question I asked the Congressman was not covered in the newspaper, and I think it deserves some attention. 

I asked Congressman Hagedorn why he had voted against the SAFE (Securing Americans Federal Elections) Act.

According to a report by the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI, the election systems in all of the 50 states were attacked in 2016. Two counties in Florida were successfully hacked. Experts say that Russia, China, Iran and other nations will try to attack the systems in all 50 states in the 2020 elections and are attempting a breach even as you read this.

The SAFE Act provides $600 million to the 50 states to secure their voting systems. The bill mandates a paper backup, audits and cyber-security requirements for vendors (ie voting machines) and voting systems. Our country should accept no less.

When I asked Congressman Hagedorn why he had voted against the SAFE Act, he said he thought running elections was up the states, and he did not like the federal government interfering. What?

A secure voting system is the bedrock of a democracy. Voters need to feel confident that their votes will be counted or they may give up on voting and democracy.  People have fought and died in wars to protect our right to vote.

Can you imagine the Congress during World War II deciding to let California be on its own to defend its coastline against an attack? Protecting our democracy from an attack is the ultimate responsibility of our national leaders. And Congressman Hagedorn has failed us.

Mary Hinnenkamp

Albert Lea