Dear Editor:

I’d like to add a PS to Janet Kelleher’s letter in the Sept. 10 Tribune about something I’ve not heard expressed by anyone yet; I think it is fundamental to the security and integrity of American elections, especially in an election year when voter fraud is raising its ugly head.

When one votes in person near one’s home (like those in rural small-town locations do), one or more judges know you personally. There’s no question of your identity. You ARE a living, breathing “photo ID.” Neither mail-in ballots nor voting in Powell can provide this strength of security to me.

In discussing this with Pat Cole, he suggested, “The safest most secure way to vote with the least amount of people handling the ballot is voting early in the Courthouse.” That may be how to reduce the number of people who handle my ballot before it gets counted, but I disagree that it’s the safest most secure way to vote because they don’t know me personally at the courthouse in Cody.

In all fairness, the election office in Park County does an excellent job of keeping the registration rolls squeaky clean, and my ballot is as verified as any legal document that requires a simple signature. But personal acquaintance makes it undeniable that it’s really me casting my vote.

I have been voting now for 49 consecutive years, and have been always known personally by at least one judge at my polling location.

Commissioners, please restore my local rural polling place where they know me personally.

James A. Ingram

Clark