How Michigan HVAC Companies Are Safeguarding Election Integrity Through Climate Control
When you think about election security, you may think about cybersecurity, ballot counting procedures, or voter ID. What you may not consider is a hidden secret keeping Michigan’s democracy safe: your local HVAC contractor. Whether it is controlling the temperature to prevent voting equipment from failing or storing ballots safely, climate control systems are a crucial part of preventing problems that can jeopardize election integrity across Michigan.
The Undeniable Link between Temperature and Technology
Electronic voting devices are far more sensitive than most people understand. Voting machines, e-pollbooks, ballot tabulators, etc. all contain electronic components that will be damaged at high or low temperatures, along with excessive humidity. Many polling places in Michigan have had malfunctioning voting machines due to high heat because of poor ventilation or no air conditioning,g and no one standing in long lines wants to hear that the machine they are trying to use is down because of overheating.
According to Sarah Henderson, Michigan election official in Oakland County, “2018 was a disaster election day in Oakland County, it was 90 degrees plus and we had three scanners shut down due to overheating in unattended polling areas” she recounts. “We made the voters wait almost an hour while we dragged in some portable air conditioning units and rebooted the scanners.”
In addition to summertime heat, Michigan winters can come with their own set of stressors. Excessive condensation can occur when heating and cooling occur too rapidly enough that the voting machine’s delicate electronic circuitry is subject to damage. When there is no humidity control, condensation can form overnight on equipment that had been left cold overnight, only to bring it to the polling place to open the polls only to find they machines were damaged, not 5 minutes after the polls opened.
Protecting Michigan’s Paper Trail
Michigan law requires counties to retain ballots for 22 months following federal elections, and these documents must be stored in controlled environments to prevent degradation. This isn’t just a bureaucratic requirement—it’s a crucial safeguard for potential recounts and audits. Climate-controlled storage facilities ensure that ballots remain readable and intact, preserving the paper trail that validates election results.
Many county clerk offices across Michigan are housed in aging buildings with outdated HVAC systems that struggle to maintain consistent temperature and humidity levels. HVAC companies are stepping up to conduct specialized audits of these facilities, identifying potential risks and recommending upgrades to protect this critical infrastructure.
- Temperature stability: Preventing paper deterioration and ink fading
- Humidity control: Avoiding mold growth and paper warping
- Air filtration: Protecting documents from dust and contaminants
- Security integration: Ensuring climate systems don’t compromise physical security
Emergency Response
Election emergencies don’t follow business hours, and HVAC vendors responding to them don’t either. Last November, Comfort Systems Corporation, of Michigan, received great news coverage for their emergency heating repair at a rural Upper Peninsula polling site, which was underway during a snowstorm when the heat went out. In under 90 minutes, the vendor had their employees on-site, and the heating system was up and running to prevent the polling place from closing, and with it, hundreds of people from voting.
Partnerships with HVAC contractors are becoming more common with election officials. For example, the need for teams post-election recounting ballots to work non-stop to verify the result, just in case they need to make any changes to their operation. Not only do these workers suffer from fatigue, but they are also more likely to be cold. All in the name of getting accurate results – we really don’t need people making tired mistakes that could undermine public confidence in their election results.
Today, creative HVAC contractors are working on emergency protocols to be implemented for elections even including a rapid deployment of portable heating/cooling units to polling places if the HVAC system fails.
Education and Transparency
One of the most powerful ways HVAC companies can support election integrity is through voter education. By explaining the technical infrastructure that protects elections, these businesses help build public confidence in the democratic process. Blog posts titled “Why Your Vote Depends on Proper Airflow” or infographics showing how climate control prevents ballot damage can reach audiences who might never think about these connections.
This educational approach serves a dual purpose: it positions HVAC companies as trusted community partners while helping voters understand the complex systems that safeguard their rights. When citizens see local businesses actively working to protect election infrastructure, it reinforces the collaborative nature of democracy.
The “Election-Ready” Movement
HVAC companies throughout Michigan are creating new programs to assist the election infrastructure. However, they are not offering these programs as commercial services (read: profit-making) but as protective civic engagement. One such company in the Grand Rapids area is called Superior Comfort. They offer discounted pre-election inspections of municipal buildings to ensure all heating and cooling systems are in working order before a major election. The “Keep Elections Cool Under Pressure” campaign has provided the opportunity for dozens of municipalities to identify and address issues before they impact voters.
Our example HVAC campaign employs a simple but proactive approach that addresses policy loopholes regarding election preparedness. Election officials focus on voting protocols and security protocols, but usually do not have the technical capability of assessing the reliability of HVAC systems. Many HVAC inspections can identify indications of poor performance, such as aging equipment, acceptable ventilation, or reliable temperature controls; all things that could present issues at election time.
A Model for the Nation
Michigan HVAC businesses have developed a new model of civic engagement that other states are starting to embrace. The HVAC industry recognized the role it has in election infrastructure and took the initiative to move beyond providing typical commercial service level value to protect our democratic processes.
The upside of engaging HVAC experts for election preparedness is not limited to election day. Improved climate control in municipal buildings provides better working conditions for municipal staff in the offseason and may save taxpayers money in the form of improved energy efficiency and longevity of equipment. Everybody wins, and communities improve while our democracy is protected.
As Michigan continues to modernize its election administration processes, the partnership between the HVAC industry and election officials will only enhance in importance. They may be the unsung heroes of democracy, but their commitment proves protecting our most fundamental rights starts with the basics: keep the lights on, air flowing, and temperature right.