There is much to do, confirm McPherson quickly

McPherson is a staunch advocate of the requirement that all electronic voting devices produce a voter-verified paper audit trail. He co-authored this landmark legislation known as the "Paper Trail." In doing so, he has already demonstrated the highest regard for voters, the process and the standards by which we conduct elections. In the end, the integrity of the vote is paramount.

Support for the paper trail does not mean proponents are suspicious of technology and doubt the good it can do. Information technology tools can and do support democracy. McPherson recognizes the value of these tools and how they can be used to help citizens access our democracy. In his confirmation remarks, he pledged to complete the statewide voter registration database that was begun by for Secretary of State Kevin Shelley. That single step, by itself, is the key to engaging more people in our democracy. We are a mobile society. By sharing a statewide voter registration database, we ensure that all people who are eligible to vote in the state and want to participate are able to do so. It will strengthen democracy in California and may lead the way to Election Day registrations, streamlined voter registration processes and "cleaner" rolls. Using technology to achieve this goal is a perfect example of putting technology to work for the people.

Lastly, I would suggest that the public has an advocate in McPherson. He has consistently initiated, sponsored or voted for legislation that shines the spotlight on government. He authored bills to require electronic filing and Internet disclosure of campaign finance statements providing the public access to this vital information. He also jointly authored Prop 59, a measure to provide public access and openness in state government. If this is any indications of what is to come, California election operations may become even more transparent. That would be a good thing because it contributes to the trust that people have in what election administrators do.

Appointing McPherson secretary of state will move California forward and will help "unfreeze" the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) funding that counties desperately need to replace voting equipment to comply with new voter accessibility requirements and new state certification standards.

So, let's put our differences aside, confirm McPherson quickly and work together to engage more people in our democracy. Let's give him the support he needs to successfully lead California through this new era of voting rights, voting equipment and voting security concerns. And finally, let's do the work the people elected us to do and honor our forefathers who designed and fought for this grand experiment we call democracy.

Warren Slocum is the county clerk, recorder, assessor and chief election official for San Mateo County.