Political forces are at work to erode the public’s trust in our institutions and processes. Maybe you’ve heard them claiming that the elections that their side

lost weren’t legitimate or are part of some kind of conspiracy. This year, some of these folk have gotten ahead of themselves, already claiming that elections that haven’t been held yet are potentially illegitimate and they may not accept the results.

These people don’t want you to believe in systems and processes that are part of ensuring a democratic government. They’d rather you put that faith in them instead. It’s a cult of personality with an endgame that doesn’t bode well for democracy.

In the meantime, while our systems are under attack, we need the people that guard them to be unassailable and unblemished. One could argue that’s not the case with our city voter registrar, whose office is facing serious allegations of financial mismanagement and nepotism. Should political forces emerge to challenge the results of our local elections, the person who safeguards them may already be in a compromised position to defend them.

As the City Inspector General’s probe into the Elections Office continues, upholding faith in our electoral process is paramount. Hostile political forces seek to undermine this bedrock of democracy.

In the meantime, concerned citizens can do what they have always done — exercise their sacred right to vote and await the results.