Edmonds wants to restore trust in office

Candidate shares ideas for keeping elections safe from hackers

State Rep. Rick Edmonds said he is running for Louisiana secretary of state because he wants to protect the safety of elections and restore the public’s trust in the office.

Edmonds, a Republican from Baton Rouge, is one of nine candidates for the Nov. 6 election. He told theAmerican Press editorial board that the big challenge is getting voters interested in the race because some may not understand the responsibilities of the office.

Edmonds said he is “highly interested” in keeping elections safe from hackers. If elected, he said he wants to create a “cyber division” within the office dedicated to the issue. Edmonds said the office would have to be reorganized in order to gather enough money for the division.

“(Hacking) is definitely a crucial issue,” Edmonds said. “This is just a new day.”

The secretary of state’s office has come under fire recently amid claims that they mishandled the bid process to replace old voting machines. Interim Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin filed a response earlier this month defending his office for awarding the winning bid to Dominion Voting Systems. A protest filed by Election Systems and Software is being reviewed.

Edmonds applauded the Office of State Procurement for removing Ardoin from the evaluation process. He said the whole effort should be to rebid to re-establish trust within the secretary of state’s office.

“It’s just another black eye,” Edmonds said of the controversy.

While Edmonds acknowledged some voting machines are outdated, he said many clerks are “very satisfied” with them.

Edmonds said he doesn’t support online voting because the software to protect election information from hackers isn’t available yet.

While he supports voter participation, Edmonds said he is against letting residents register to vote on election day because of the varied training given to the parttime precinct commissioners hired by the clerks of court.

“Some parishes may train them one hour; some parishes train them four hours,” he said. “You could have someone trained an hour, and they have to vet somebody of trying to figure out should they put them on the rolls and let them vote. I just think it’s an overwhelming pressure.”

Edmonds said the office should use more modern avenues, like social media and sending texts, to encourage young people to register to vote.

Edmonds said he would want the secretary of state’s office to be “the face of new business.” He said he wants to start a center for business advancement, with help from local elected officials and higher education leaders.

“You could help these people learn how to brand themselves, or learn social media,” Edmonds said.

Tom Schedler — who served as secretary of state since 2010 — announced his resignation in late April amid allegations of sexual harassment from a department employee. Ardoin, a Republican, as first assistant assumed the position in May, and is running in the upcoming election.

The field of candidates also includes Republicans Heather Cloud, A.G. Crowe, Thomas Kennedy III and Julie Stokes. Gwen Collins-Greenup and Renee Fontenot Free are running as Democrats, and Matthew Moreau is running as a no party candidate.

””Rick Edmonds for Secretary of State

SportsPlus

Local News

Hurricane Rafael taking a turn away from US

Local News

Landry: Tax changes needed to fuel population growth, encourage families to stay

Crime

11/6: Calcasieu Parish Sheriff announces arrest list

Local News

Reinvestment in Mid-City neighborhood begins

Local News

Avenue of Flags returns a day ahead

McNeese Sports

Cowgirls want to keep building

McNeese Sports

Cowboys looking to rebound…literally

Local News

APPJ fighting Coushatta land trust acquisitions

Local News

Donald Trump has sweeping plans for a second administration. Here’s what he’s proposed

McNeese Sports

Leak heats up Cowboy defense

Local News

Louisiana breaks multiple election records

Local News

Trump wins White House in political comeback rooted in appeals to frustrated voters

Jim Beam

Jim Beam column: Gerstner Field remembered

Local News

Trump wins Georgia, moving closer to reclaiming White House

Local News

Beauregard, Vernon voters favor Trump

Local News

GOP reclaims Senate majority

Local News

Republican Higgins wins re-election bid for US House

Local News

Bowers elected newest member of Calcasieu Police Jury

Local News

Early election takeaways: Trump weakens Democrats’ coalition

Local News

Vidrine elected to serve as Oakdale’s next mayor

Local News

Trump wins North Carolina while votes are still being counted in other key states

Local News

Voters statewide approve constitutional amendment

Local News

Judge Davis elected newest member of Court of Appeal

Local News

Jeff Davis elects two new mayors, re-elects police chief