As Wisconsin votes in today's primary, you can have faith system is fair and square

As voters head to the polls today, Wisconsinites can trust their elections are safe and secure.

The American freedom to vote is something this country takes seriously. During the primary elections, eligible Americans will engage in one of the most important features of our democracy by casting their ballots and helping to inform our country’s path forward.

As a group of business leaders, election workers, engaged community members and decision makers — we have faith in Wisconsin’s election system. You should, too. Here's why:

Wisconsin elections safeguarded to ensure accuracy, uphold democracy

Wisconsin’s elections work because we have tried-and-tested systems in place to ensure votes are cast fairly and counted correctly. Checks and balances are carried out in Wisconsin and every other state across America to ensure that the final vote count is accurate, and the voting process is fair from start to finish.

Election equipment is secure and audited following elections

Among the many checks and balances in place are inspections of voting machines before and after elections – inspections that are open to the public. In Wisconsin, state statutes require a post-election audit of voting systems after each general election to assess the accuracy and performance of all systems approved for use.

Voter eligibility is the law and is taken seriously

Wisconsin election officials follow state law to verify an individual’s eligibility before they can register to vote. As a result of these efforts, Wisconsinites can trust that our elections are safe and secure. All voter registration applicants in Wisconsin are required to affirm or verify their citizenship status under penalty of perjury—which carries criminal penalties and the risk of deportation for noncitizens—when registering to vote in federal elections.

We've been political foes. We're uniting to build trust in Wisconsin elections.

Eligibility measures apply to absentee ballots, too. Election inspectors verify the absentee ballot envelope meets all requirements before tabulating those ballots.

Your neighbors help oversee Wisconsin's election process

Election officials and poll workers in Wisconsin — our friends, neighbors and coworkers — play an integral role in facilitating safe and fair elections. These everyday Americans receive thorough training to learn the state’s election process, rules and laws. These workers put in long hours before, during and after Election Day, and they take their responsibilities seriously.

To further ensure accountability, people from all political parties are brought in to observe the voting, tabulation and canvassing process. These safeguards, among many others, help keep our elections honest and fair so we can trust the system and election outcomes.

There are protocols for counting votes that are independently monitored

All votes are counted by your local, impartial election officials from all political parties beginning on Election Day. These officials are trained to ensure exactly one vote per one eligible voter is counted and counted accurately.

All ballots, including mail-in ballots, are counted beginning on Election Day. Every ballot stays at the polling place until the polls close, and election observers keep an eye on this process and the ballots to ensure proper measures are being taken. A team of trained election officials never lets the ballots leave their sight as they are transported to a secure counting location. The vote count is checked and rechecked until all officials agree the final results are accurate.

At every step of the way, trusted Americans dedicated to upholding election integrity are following tried-and-true protocols and verifying election accuracy.

The system works so let’s use it. Vote and serve as a poll worker.

A final message to Wisconsin’s invaluable voters: The best way to ensure our elections reflect the will of the people is to cast a ballot. Trust the systems in place and the hardworking Americans making it happen. Even better, get involved yourself and serve as a poll worker.

Elections are the cornerstone of our democracy and one of the most important things we can do as Americans. Our election processes are designed to ensure we can vote with confidence.

This op-ed was submitted by the leaders of several organizations and elected officials across Wisconsin, including: David Haynes, WisAct Co-Lead, former Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Ideas Lab Editor; Scott McCallum, WisAct Co-Lead, former governor of Wisconsin; Marge Bostelmann, Wisconsin Elections Commission, Keep Our Republic Advisory Board Member; Reid Ribble, former U.S. Congressman, Keep Our Republic Advisory Board Member; Kim Pytleski, Oconto County Clerk; Lisa Tollefson, Rock County Clerk; Meg Wartman, Waukesha County Clerk; Diana Dykstra, Village Clerk-Treasurer of Mukwonago; Kathy Bernier, former Member of the Wisconsin State Senate, former Chippewa County Clerk; Tom Florsheim, Weyco Group CEO, Principal of Wisconsin Business Leaders for Democracy; David Irwin, gThankYou CEO, Principal of Wisconsin Business Leaders for Democracy; and Anoop Prakash, EVP Americas, AriensCo, Principal of Wisconsin Business Leaders for Democracy.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Election systems have safeguards to ensure votes counted accurately