Controversy and Matanuska Electric Association elections seem to go hand in hand. The history of the member-owned cooperative, particularly in the last 10 or 12 years, is a history of contentiousness, of both the litigious and personal nature. Board of directors elections have been flashpoints for the kind of ill will-breeding controversy that, sadly, has come to define our co-op.

One of the most unfortunate and, indeed, tragic byproducts of this environment of controversy is a loss of trust among ratepayers in MEA's ability to conduct a fair, open and transparent election. Co-op critics contend management has a pattern of behavior that is openly hostile to board candidates who are disinclined to toe the “party line.” At the same time, management-friendly candidates, critics say, have a much easier time getting elected.

This overriding sense of distrust is displayed today in the feeling of many MEA ratepayers who believe, honestly, that their votes aren't even counted. Not surprisingly, MEA management scoffs at the notion, while also admitting that many ballots in any given election are not counted. The signatures on mailed-in ballots are checked for matches against signatures on file with the billing department. Signatures deemed “not matching” result in a discarded ballot.

If this is the security measure employed to ensure the integrity of the voting process, it should stand to reason that a handwriting analysis expert would be on hand to pass judgment on ballots. But reason and management motivation do not always appear to be constant companions at MEA.

Nonetheless, MEA management says transparency and balloting integrity are priorities. Anyone, they say, is free to watch ballots being handled and signatures being checked. And while signatories of discarded ballots are not contacted by MEA staff, anyone can call to verify that their ballot has been received and approved for counting.

Absent a board willing to adopt a more reasonable and user-friendly policy that directly addresses the festering trust issues, the telephone becomes the first - and last - line of defense for voters who want to feel at least a little confident that their ballots will be counted.

Those ballots will be in mailboxes around the Valley in the coming days. After filling them out and mailing them back, ratepayers looking for confirmation about their ballot should wait a few days, then call 745-3231 and ask if the ballot was received and - more important - if it was approved for being counted. Being a two-step process, confirmation of both may take two or more phone calls.

While it is easy to think, in 2007, that there should be a better way to run an election, this is our reality. Until an election brings opportunity to alter that reality, we encourage voters who care to follow-up on their ballots.