ROB MACKENNA: Democrat, Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections
Published October 15, 2004
The transformation from paper to electronic balloting changes the skills voters should look for in an elections supervisor. Before the troubled 2000 election, supervisors could focus their efforts on soft initiatives, such as registration drives and early voting. Now, many also grapple with technical aspects of computerized voting machines. Hillsborough is one of the largest electoral jurisdictions in the nation; getting it right here is not only complex but also critical to building public confidence in the machines and the electoral process. We believe the self-assured Rob MacKenna, a computer designer and programmer, is best prepared to run the elections office.
MacKenna, a 33-year-old Democrat, is new to politics, no weakness for an elected job that should be free of partisanship. A graduate of Duke University with a background in science and mathematics, MacKenna has worked as an engineer and technology consultant, and he currently is a computer programmer for Eckerd Corp. His familiarity with large data management systems and experience with trouble-shooting computer software would well serve a government agency whose purpose is to process and record the vote accurately. MacKenna has a broad view of the problems associated with changing from a paper-based to electronic voting system. He can speak well beyond the issue of touch-screen voting. His ideas for voter outreach should increase the number of voters and the percentage that actually votes.
The incumbent, Buddy Johnson, is a former Republican state legislator from Plant City whom the governor appointed in 2003 after Pam Iorio resigned to run for mayor of Tampa. Johnson, to his credit, retained the staff, kept politics from the office and raised awareness of the importance of voting. He reached out to young voters and has been a steady defender of the touch-screen voting machines.
Johnson has had trouble, though, explaining how errors were made in this year's primaries. Losing votes is bad enough; not catching the problem early enough calls the office's preparedness into question. While Johnson has blamed human error and said the machines work properly, it won't take much to undermine voter confidence in upcoming elections.
MacKenna's background in computer technology makes him a better choice during this complex transition period. Johnson's desire to run a top-flight office is genuine, but he sometimes fails to inspire confidence in his grasp of details. With technical issues more important than ever, the office needs a leader who not only understands problems but also looks ahead to avoid them. This is exactly what MacKenna has done throughout his professional career. His orderly approach to management shows his capability to run the office. The Times recommends Democrat Rob MacKenna for Hillsborough supervisor of elections.
