Founded in 1916, Cathedral Corporation is a trusted provider of financial, marketing, and fundraising communications services based in Rome, New York12. The company, which generates annual revenue of $44.9 million and employs approximately 135 people, has expanded its operations through strategic acquisitions3. Cathedral Corporation's subsidiary, Fidlar Election, plays a significant role in the election services industry, providing ballot printing for 42 of Florida's 67 counties and several other states, with a total production of over 414 million ballots2. The company operates multiple facilities across the United States, including locations in Lincoln, RI, Orlando, FL, Deer Park, NY, Inglewood, CA, and a sales office in North Haven, CT.

Marianne W. Gaige, Chairman of the Board and CEO of Cathedral Corporation, has demonstrated a consistent pattern of political donations favoring the Democratic party. Her contributions include monthly donations to ActBlue for over two decades, support for Obama and Biden campaigns, and contributions to various Democratic candidates and causes1. This partisan donation history extends to other major ballot printing companies as well. For instance, the Runbeck family, owners of Runbeck Election Services, have also been active donors to Democratic candidates and causes, with Robyn Runbeck specifically contributing to the "STOP REPUBLICANS" PAC1. These donation patterns from leaders of companies handling critical election operations in multiple states, including swing states, have raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest and the need for stronger vendor neutrality standards in the election services industry.

The concentration of election services in companies with leadership demonstrating strong partisan leanings raises significant ethical concerns. While these companies must meet technical and security requirements, there are limited regulations specifically governing the political activities of election service vendors1. This gap in oversight highlights the need for stronger vendor neutrality standards to maintain the integrity of electoral processes2. The situation is particularly concerning given that companies like Cathedral Corporation and Runbeck Election Services handle critical election infrastructure in multiple swing states, potentially impacting public confidence in the fairness and impartiality of elections3.

The overt partisan affiliations of election service company owners pose a significant challenge to public trust in the democratic process. This issue highlights a critical gap in election infrastructure oversight, as current federal laws primarily focus on campaign contributions and ethics for elected officials, rather than regulating the political activities of election service vendors1. The lack of explicit restrictions on vendor neutrality can undermine confidence in electoral processes, especially when these companies handle critical infrastructure in multiple swing states2. To address these concerns, there is a growing need for stronger governance standards in the election services industry, similar to those expected of other critical infrastructure providers. Implementing stricter vendor neutrality policies could help maintain the integrity and public trust essential for a robust democratic system3.