To the editor:

Presidential elections are exciting and with all the conflicting information readily available to us via the internet, TV, radio, print. Who or what can we trust?

Election officials are the best source of trusted election and voting information. Studies have shown that trust in U.S. elections is highest at the local level. So, turn to your local Board of Elections for trusted accurate and up to date election and voting information.

Elections are run at the local level and election officials go to great lengths to keep elections secure, including regularly updating voting lists so that only eligible voters can cast a ballot, thoroughly testing voting equipment before elections and carefully reviewing election records before certification of the election.

Watch this short YouTube video titled “Be Election Ready: Trusted Sources of Information” (www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQA1KTPhBf4). This is one of a six-part series of videos about elections and the process of how to vote. You can view all the videos here: Voting101: Election Information for New Voters (https://tinyurl.com/5n8us97v) from the U.S. Election Assistance Commission. Get the facts, not the fantasy!

Mary McGowan

Election commissioner

Essex County Board of Elections