Legislative experience is valuable for a county auditor

After 29 years in the Iowa Legislature, it is time for me to be at home in Linn County. I’m running for the office of Linn County Auditor. I strongly believe that I can continue to serve the public, only in a different way. I have had my turn at making the laws, but I still have much to offer the public.

Our current auditor is retiring, and we must work to fill the position wisely. The auditor is responsible for the vital functions of county payroll, accounts receivable, real estate ownership records and the most well-known responsibility, elections. Our voting system is too important to leave in the hands of the unqualified.

In the legislature, I’ve served on the Appropriations and State Government committees. These important committees are where all the state spending decisions are made, accounted for and where all our voting laws are written. This direct experience makes me well prepared to be your next Linn County Auditor.

I have fought both for and against changes to voting laws, all with the idea of enhancing access and trust in our process. For example, I voted for laws expanding access to the polls such as same-day voter registration for eligible voters and for utilizing the best polling machines — efficient counters and paper ballots for all counties and against shortening timelines for processing votes.

As Linn County Auditor, I will proudly carry the tradition which has been built and I will further work to keep our elections efficient, transparent and responsive to the voice of the people.

Experience matters. I will do my level best to keep our voting system fair, accurate and protected, for all eligible voters in all parties. As Auditor I will focus on three key pillars:

Transparency: Financial integrity of the office is important for keeping the public trust in the office. We have this now, but I will work toward improving it through regular access to the press and an open-door policy to grant access to the decisions made through my first year.

Efficiency: I pledge to enhance published public notices.

Engagement: speak regularly with high school government and social studies classes and hold quarterly listening posts during my first year in office. This way I can hear from the people and make current adjustments within the law.

As such, I will use these guiding pillars to deliver the voice of the people.

Todd Taylor is the Democratic candidate for Linn County Auditor.