TEAM TUSI STATEMENT ON THE 2026 LIBAC ELECTORAL PROCESS

TEAM TUSI’S POSITION ON ELECTRONIC VOTING

Team TUSI has raised several concerns with the LIBAC Board regarding the 2026 election process and the Election Commission. We presented our concerns through the appropriate channels and asked the Board to review our petition. The Board has ruled against our
petition.

We respect the Board's authority to make its decision. However, after careful consideration, Team TUSI remains resolute in our decision that we will not participate in the electronic voting process as presently structured. 

This is not because Team TUSI is against technology. Technology is not the issue. Our concern is whether this particular electronic voting process, at this particular time, is the best process for our community and whether it promotes the transparency, accessibility,
confidence, and unity that this election needs.

We do not believe that it does. Our Constitution already provides important requirements for voting. Article XIV, Section 11:2 requires voters to present identification and proof of residence as specified in the Constitution. The Constitution also requires voting by
secret ballot.

In simple terms, we must know that the person voting is the eligible member they say they are, while at the same time protecting the privacy of who that person votes for.

Team TUSI believes there is a simple and reasonable alternative: return to the traditional in-person voting process. 

Members can come to a designated polling location and present the identification required by the Constitution. Election officials can verify the person's identity and eligibility by comparing the identification with the individual appearing before them and the eligible
voter list. Once verified, the member can receive a secret paper ballot, privately cast their vote, and place the ballot in the designated ballot box.

At the end of voting, the ballots can be physically counted in the presence of authorized representatives or observers, with the number of ballots reconciled against the number of verified voters who participated. 

This gives the community a process that is simple to understand: Identify the voter. Verify eligibility.

Issue the ballot.
Protect the voter's privacy.
Secure the ballot.
Count the ballots openly.
Verify and document the results.

We are not suggesting that electronic voting can never be used by LIBAC. Electronic voting may very well have a place in our organization's future.

But a major change in the way our community votes should not come at the expense of confidence and unity.

If the introduction of a new system has created serious questions and division, and we already have a traditional in-person process available that members understand, why not use that process for this election and allow adequate time to properly educate
and prepare the community before introducing electronic voting in the future?

We also believe members should be provided a reasonable opportunity and sufficient time to vote. Our community includes churchgoers, working families, elders, parents, and members with different schedules and responsibilities. A voting process
should encourage participation rather than unnecessarily limit it. 

Team TUSI has raised its concerns before votes are cast because we believe questions about an election process should be addressed before Election Day—not after the results have been announced.

Our position is therefore clear:

Team TUSI will not participate in the electronic voting process as presently structured. However, we remain ready and willing to participate in a traditional, in-person, secret-paper-ballot election where voter identification and eligibility are verified, ballots are privately cast, and the counting process can be observed and documented.

This is not about refusing an election.
This is not about rejecting technology.

We are asking to use a process that our community already understands while allowing adequate time to prepare for technology in the future.

And this is not about winning at any cost.

It is about protecting the integrity of the process and preserving the unity of the community we will all still belong to after this election is over.

Team TUSI stands firmly on the principles we have presented from the beginning: Tone, Unity, Service, and Impact.

We respect that others may disagree with our position. But after raising our concerns through the established channels and receiving the Board's decision, we must remain true to our convictions while continuing to seek a peaceful and reasonable path forward.

Let us identify the voter.
Let us protect the secret ballot.
Let us count the votes transparently.
Let us provide reasonable access to vote.
And most importantly, let us conduct an election that brings LIBAC together
rather than drives us further apart.

Team TUSI — Tone • Unity • Service • Impact
Building Our Future Together.