AZ Votes Forum: Trust and Technology

Monday, Nov. 24 at 8 p.m.

How can Arizona ensure trust in 2026 elections despite heightened political division and disinformation? Preparations for primaries and the general election are underway. Arizonans are expecting their elections to be safe, secure, free and fair, but how is that going to happen? And how can artificial intelligence tools and technology be used safely to make the election process more efficient?

Artificial Intelligence, or “AI,” is increasingly becoming a part of Americans’ daily lives. Our social media feeds, internet searches, job functions, car GPS systems and so much more are being influenced by, and adopting, AI. In theory, AI tools and systems are here to make our lives more efficient, give us more information at our fingertips, and bring in a new era of technology. So why should our elections and government be any different?

“Arizona Horizon” Host Ted Simons leads a bipartisan discussion of panelists on election integrity and technology issues in Arizona.

Joining the conversation will be panelists Eslir Musta, Elections Director/Assistant County Manager, Coconino County; Thomas Galvin, Chair, Maricopa Board of Supervisors; Dana Lewis, Pinal County Recorder; David Becker, Executive Director/Founder, Center for Election Innovation and Research; Bill Gates, Director, ASU Mechanics of Democracy Lab; Michael Moore, Chief Information Security Officer, Arizona Secretary of State’s Office; and Dr. Allison JoAnn Lester, Assistant Teaching Professor and Action Research Scholar, ASU. Learn more about our panelists below.

This special is presented in partnership with the ASU Mechanics of Democracy Laboratory.

Thomas Galvin

Thomas Galvin has represented District 2 for the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors since November 2022. In the past, Galvin worked on election integrity efforts for Arizona’s Republican Party. He focuses on supporting law enforcement officers, keeping taxes low and promoting economic development. Galvin holds membership positions on the Greater Phoenix Economic Council Board of Directors, PHX East Valley Partnership Board of Directors and the Canada-Arizona Business Council.

Eslir Musta

Eslir Musta is the Elections Director for Coconino County, Arizona, bringing nearly two decades of public service experience to the field of elections administration. He is dedicated to ensuring accessible, secure and transparent elections across one of the largest and most diverse counties in the country, which includes several Native American communities. He actively contributes to the profession as Vice President of the Election Officials of Arizona.

Dana Lewis

As the Pinal County Recorder, Dana Lewis has ensured all internal procedures are up-to-date and compliant with the Arizona Revised Statutes and Elections Procedurals Manual. She has improved security protocols with GPS-locked ballot transfer boxes, recorded surveillance of ballot drop boxes and staunch audit trail worksheets. Recorder Lewis sits on the AZ Secretary of State’s Committee for Election Official Certification Training. She is a Certified Election Official for the State of Arizona.

Michael Moore

Michael Moore is the Chief Information Security Officer for the Arizona Secretary of State’s Office. He works with federal, state and local partners to strengthen election security and protect voters. His focus is building resilient systems that can prevent, detect and recover from attacks, especially those fueled by disinformation and insider threats.

Bill Gates

Bill Gates is the Director of the ASU Mechanics of Democracy Laboratory, an administration that focuses on the process of elections. Gates is also a Professor of Practice at ASU Watts College of Public Service of Community Solutions. Gates currently dedicates time to serve as a member of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, and prior to that, he served on the Phoenix City Council for seven years.

David Becker

David Becker is the Executive Director and Founder of the nonpartisan, non-profit Center for Election Innovation and Research (CEIR), working with election officials of both parties, all around the country, to ensure accessible, secure elections for all eligible voters. A key element of Becker’s work with CEIR is managing the Election Official Legal Defense Network, providing pro bono legal assistance to election officials who are threatened with frivolous criminal prosecution, harassment or physical violence.

Dr. Allison JoAnn Lester

Allison JoAnn Lester, PhD, is an educator and action researcher at Arizona State University whose work explores how communities learn and lead in an age shaped by Artificial Intelligence. Dr. Lester teaches courses on AI ethics, digital/media literacy and civic leadership. She has led more than $2 million in grant-funded projects and hosts ASU’s “Thinking Through… ” podcast on AI, human flourishing and the futures we are shaping together.

Ted Simons

The forum will be moderated by Ted Simons, the award-winning host and managing editor of “Arizona Horizon,” the nightly public affairs show on Arizona PBS. Simons moderates discussions with government officials, business leaders and policy makers about the issues, laws and policies that affect Arizonans in their everyday lives. The long-time Valley journalist joined “Arizona Horizon” in 2007.