08/30/2026
I'm all about transparency, especially in a 501(c)(3) registered non-profit lifting organization. So let's talk about some irregularities in the current AKLU election.
During a board chat I asked fellow members to make sure we had rock-solid election integrity for this election. No double votes, every vote cast by a paid-up member, and a secure online vote that members can trust. All agreed and we set up a Google Form.
Unfortunately, that form is creating some problems. First it wouldn't let non-Gmail users to vote. I'm personally not a Gmail user, so my vote comes from an account that's not my registered email with AKLU.
Next, the ballot allows for people to change their votes up to the close of the polls. I don't see that as a problem. In fact, I changed my vote after ruminating - which is NOBODY's business but my own. Alas, one of the board members takes umbrage with that - which she'd only know if she was reading people's votes before the polls closed....
Additionally, the voting rules are being discussed WHILE THE POLLS ARE OPEN and BY A PERSON ON THE BALLOT who CAN SEE THE VOTES! Conflict of interest much?
So how do we assure the elections are free, fair, transparent, and in compliance with both federal and Illinois law for non-profits? I've suggested we delete the ballot and restart the voting with a third party auditor or an auditable balloting system.
Trust demands transparency, and this is what that looks like. What say you, lifters?
