YATES: St. George Knows Why Every Vote Matters

Editors Note: Dustin Yates is the Mayor of Louisianas newsest, and 5th largest city, St. George.

In 2019, our community went to the polls to decide its future. With 54 percent of the vote, residents approved incorporating the City of St. George. That election set us on the path toward establishing our own city and building a government accountable to the people it serves.

For us, the importance of elections is personal. Our city began with a decision made by voters. We know what it means for families and neighborhoods to place their hopes for the future in a ballot—and to trust that their votes will be counted accurately.

That experience shapes how I view election security. Whether voters are choosing a president, electing a mayor, or deciding to create a city, they deserve a system they can trust.

Louisiana’s voting machines have served our state for more than 35 years. We have gotten decades of use from that equipment, but no technology lasts forever. Responsible leadership means preparing to replace aging systems before failures force rushed decisions and unnecessary expenses.

Waiting for equipment to break down could disrupt election operations, increase costs, and weaken public confidence. We should give our election officials reliable equipment and the resources to address cybersecurity threats before problems arise.

That is why I am urging Congresswoman Julia Letlow and Louisiana’s congressional delegation to support $400 million for Election Security Grants through the Fiscal Year 2027 Financial Services and General Government appropriations process.

This national funding would help states like Louisiana replace aging voting systems, strengthen election cybersecurity, and reduce the financial burden on Louisiana taxpayers. Because this equipment serves local, state, and federal elections, federal participation is a reasonable investment in a shared responsibility.

As mayor, I believe government should be limited, accountable, and focused on its essential duties. Administering secure and reliable elections is one of those duties. Taxpayers should expect careful planning, responsible purchasing, and clear accountability for every dollar spent.

In St. George, we understand that local decisions can have lasting consequences. The ballots cast in 2019 helped determine how our community would govern itself for generations. Every election deserves that same care, because every election gives citizens a voice in their future.

Public confidence depends on a process that works: reliable equipment, sound safeguards, and accurate counting of every legal vote. Maintaining that process requires foresight and investment.

I urge Congresswoman Letlow and our delegation to support this funding and help Louisiana modernize its election infrastructure responsibly.

The people of St. George voted to build a city of their own. We know personally how much can depend on an election. Protecting the system that makes those decisions possible is a responsibility we must take seriously.