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Grant Opportunity for State Associations of Election Officials: The Bipartisan Policy Center, The Elections Group (TEG), and the Election Center’s Coalition of Election Official Leaders (CEAL) Project are making grant funding available to state associations of election officials to support projects that bolster associations’ ability to serve their members. We will prioritize projects that will expand associations’ capacity and build sustainability in the long term.

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Election News This Week

Federal Update: Where to begin? Speaking to right-wing podcaster Dan Bongino, who recently stepped down from his role as the FBI’s deputy director, President Donald Trump again falsely alleged that the 2020 election was stolen from him, and he urged Republicans to “take over” elections and nationalize the process. “We should take over the voting, the voting, in at least 15 places,” Trump told Bongino. “The Republicans ought to nationalize the voting.” Needless to say, elections officials, politicians – on both sides of the aisle – and others were quick to weigh-in. Here are some of those responses: California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, Washington, and Wisconsin. According to Reuters, a team working for Director of National IntelligenceTulsi Gabbard, last spring led an investigation into Puerto Rico’s voting machines, said Gabbard’s office and three sources familiar with the previously unreported events. The sources said the goal was to work with the FBI to investigate claims that Venezuela had hacked voting machines in Puerto Rico, but added the probe did not produce any clear evidence of Venezuelan interference. Gabbard’s office, in a statement to Reuters, confirmed the May investigation but denied a link to Venezuela, saying its focus was on vulnerabilities in the island’s electronic voting systems. Her team took an unspecified number of Puerto Rico’s voting machines and additional copies of data from the machines as part of its investigation, a spokesperson for Gabbard’s office said. Her office said the taking of voting machines and data was “standard practice in forensics analysis.” Noting similar voting infrastructure elsewhere in the United States, it added: “ODNI found extremely concerning cyber security and operational deployment practices that pose a significant risk to U.S. elections.” Former White House strategist Steve Bannon on his podcast this week called on the president to send Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers to polling sites to prevent noncitizens from voting, citing a debunked conspiracy theory about widespread voter fraud in the 2020 election. And late last week, Gabbard, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem all failed to show up and speak at the National Association of Secretaries of State winter meeting in Washington, DC.

News From NASS: The National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) presented the Margaret Chase Smith American Democracy Award for political courage to the Benedictine Sisters of Erie, who used their platform to combat false election information and promote civic engagement during the 2024 election. The award was accepted by Sister Linda Romey, Benedictine Sisters of Erie’s Coordinator of Communications and Development, in a ceremony held on Jan. 29, during the NASS 2026 Winter Conference. They were originally nominated by Pennsylvania Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt. “In keeping with NASS’ own #TrustedInfo initiative, the Sisters used their visible platform to urge all Americans to be discerning consumers of social media and to rely on trusted sources of election information,” Pennsylvania Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt said. “I nominated them for this award because they are models of positive and constructive civic engagement.” “Rooted in a long tradition of service to their community, the Sisters remind us all that truth and compassion are essential to our democracy,” said NASS President and Mississippi Secretary of State Michael Watson. Award recipients are recognized for individual acts of political courage, uncommon character and selfless action in the realm of public service. 

Congratulations: Vet the Vote recognized the San Luis Obispo County Elections Office with its first-ever Bronze Award, citing veteran participation among local election workers during the November 2025 Statewide Special Election. According to the organization, at least 15 percent of poll workers and staff for the most recent election were military veterans or military family members. A total of 118 individuals who worked in San Luis Obispo County qualified for the recognition. “We’re tremendously grateful that so many local veterans and military family members join us each election to work here in our office and out at the polls,” said Clerk-Recorder Elaina Cano. “Supporting elections work is a big act of service, so it makes sense that veterans and those who love them are pitching in here at home.” Vet the Vote operates as a project of We the Veterans and Military Families and encourages veterans to vote, volunteer, and support election participation. Project coordinators estimate that up to 30 percent of election workers nationwide have a military affiliation and are working with local officials to document participation.

Podcast News: In the latest episode of High Turnout Wide Margins, hosts Eric Fey and Brianna Lennon speak with Bill Gates. He’s the director of Arizona State University Mechanics of Democracy Lab, as well as the former chairman of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors in Arizona. They spoke about AI in elections — Both how generative AI tools could be responsibly used in election offices and how election officials might combat bad actors spreading mis- and disinformation through AI deep fakes. In the most recent episode of The Democracy Optimist, host Joshua Douglas speaks to LaJuan Allen, the executive director of Vote16USA. On the latest Election Science Office Hours, host R. Michael Alvarez speaks with Michael Spector and Delaney Gomen, both from Georgia Tech, about their new paper that uses innovative HCI methods to learn from election officials about usability issues they face using election technology. Along the way they talk quite a bit about how to improve trust between the research and elections community, so that more productive collaborations like this can be launched. The Voting Booth from the American Enterprise Institute is back with a new episode. Co-host John Fortier interviews co-host Don Palmer on his experience implementing the Help America Vote Act, first as an attorney in the Department of Justice, then as the chief election official in Florida and Virginia, and finally as a commissioner on the United States Election Assistance Commission. On the latest episode of The Jefferson Exchange, Oregon Secretary of State Tobias Read talks about the state’s win against the U.S. Department of Justice over voter rolls and defends Oregon’s vote-by-mail system. NC Newsline recently sat down with Sailor Jones, the new executive director of Common Cause North Carolina to discuss why he’s already redoubling the group’s efforts to resist assaults on fair elections. And Jones weighs in on recent actions by the NC State Board of Elections to reject campus voting sites and curb Sunday voting in several counties.  

Sticker News: Congratulations to Celeste Karam from St. Patrick School in Wentzville for winning the first-ever “I Voted” sticker contest in St. Charles County, Missouri. The eighth grader was surprised with an announcement at her school last week by Kurt Bahr, St. Charles County Elections Director. He congratulated her on winning a contest that started with over 220 submissions from middle schoolers around the county. Twelve finalists collectively brought in more than 12,500 votes in the inaugural contest run by the St. Charles County Election Authority. Celeste’s winning design will be used on the county’s “I Voted” stickers throughout 2026, starting with municipal elections on April 7. “We appreciate everyone who sent their artwork. We had a lot of great submissions!” says Bahr. “Any of the top 12 finalists had an opportunity to win, and we’re exceptionally proud of the work they put into their designs. Congratulations to Celeste!” For the America 250 celebration, honoring the country’s semi-quincentennial, five students designed five different “I Voted” stickers for the upcoming March 17 primary election in Tazewell County, Illinois. A press conference was held to honor the five students, three from Pekin Community High School, one from Pekin Edison Junior High School and another from Washington Central Grade School. Out of a plethora of designs, the Tazewell County Board selected those belonging to the five students, most of whom created a sticker with the American flag embedded in some fashion. “This is another prime example of challenging our students within Tazewell County and seeing them, not just meet expectations, but exceed,” said John C. Ackerman, Tazewell County clerk.

Personnel News: Josephine Weingardt has been approved as acting elections director and Dalton Zupper as acting elections manager in Greene County, Pennsylvania. Robert Adams is the new Clarendon County, South Carolina Board of Voter Registration and Elections director. Sarah Slattery has announced her candidacy for Nebraska secretary of state. Marisa Stoller is the new Tucson city clerk. Martin County, North Carolina Elections Director Kristy Modlin is planning to leave in several months. Tricia Hammon is the new St. Martin Parish, Louisiana registrar of voters. Bill Galvin will seek a record ninth term as Massachusetts secretary of state.

New Research and Resources

Election Security: In collaboration with the R Street Institute and the Institute for Responsive Government, the Bipartisan Policy Center details the security and integrity protections that make American elections strong, resilient, and trustworthy in every jurisdiction. United in Security: How Every State Protects Your Vote in 2026 looks at how states ensure that only eligible voters can vote, how states confirm the accuracy of voting equipment, and how states have transparent, accountable elections.

Ranked Choice Voting: Ranked Choice Voting in 2025: A Year in Review from FairVote provides an overview of ranked choice voting (RCV) in 2025, including major RCV elections, new adoptions, and the latest research and media coverage. Highlights from the report include:

• 18 cities and counties — home to 11 million Americans — held RCV elections in 2025. These contests produced record voter turnout and prominent “cross-endorsements” in New York City; increased voter turnout and engagement in New York, Minneapolis, and St. Paul; as well as the first-ever majority-women City Council in Salt Lake City, UT and the first woman mayor in St. Paul, MN.
• Charlottesville, VA; Fort Collins, CO; and Redondo Beach, CA used RCV for the first time.
• New surveys from New York, California, Colorado, Virginia, and New Mexico show that voters who use RCV like it and want to keep using it.
• Voters in Skokie, IL and Greenbelt, MD voted for the proportional form of RCV for local elections. Local lawmakers advanced RCV legislation in Boston, MA; Washington, DC; and Arlington, VA.
• Research published in 2025 highlights RCV’s positive impact on campaigning and representation. RCV was also endorsed by prominent organizations, including the American Bar Association’s Task Force for Democracy.
• RCV received unprecedented national media attention; cross-endorsements in the New York City Democratic mayoral primary were covered extensively, including on MSNBC, CNN, and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
• The gerrymandering wars increased public discussion of election reforms, including proportional representation and the Fair Representation Act.
• These developments position RCV to be prominent in discussions about the 2026 midterms, with crowded primaries and vote-splitting expected in many key congressional and statewide races. Competitive, high-profile RCV races are expected in Alaska, Maine, and Washington, DC — where voters will use RCV for the first time.

Ballot Measures, Legislation & Rulemaking

Ballot Measure Trends Nationwide: As states begin certifying ballot measures for the 2026 election cycle, Ballotpedia is tracking a growing number of initiatives and constitutional amendments addressing voting requirements, abortion policy, marijuana and psychedelics, and sex, gender, and LGBTQ issues. Voters in multiple states could decide these questions in November 2026, continuing a trend of using ballot measures to resolve high-profile and often contested policy debates.  

Citizenship and Noncitizen Voting: Voters in at least seven states may consider ballot measures establishing or clarifying citizenship requirements for voting in 2026. As of November 2025, no state constitution explicitly allows noncitizens to vote, while 18 explicitly prohibit it. 

• States with Certified Measures: Arkansas, Kansas, and South Dakota
• States with Potential Measures: Alaska, California, Michigan, and West Virginia

All certified measures are legislatively referred constitutional amendments, while potential measures include both legislative referrals and citizen initiatives.

Vote Threshold and Approval Requirements: Ballot measures changing vote requirements for initiatives and constitutional amendments are among the most widespread 2026 trends. Voters in up to six states may consider such measures.

• States with Certified Measures: California, Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Utah
• States with Pending Measures: Hawaii

These proposals would raise approval thresholds, apply district-based requirements, or change how blank votes are counted. All certified measures are legislatively referred constitutional amendments scheduled for the November 2026 ballot.

Federal Legislation: House Republicans are proposing sweeping changes to the nation’s voting laws, a long-shot priority for President Donald Trump that would impose stricter requirements, including some before Americans vote in the midterm elections in the fall. The package released January 29 reflects a number of the party’s most sought-after election changes, including requirements for photo IDs before people can vote and proof of citizenship, both to be put in place in 2027. Others, including prohibitions on universal vote-by-mail and ranked choice voting — two voting methods that have proved popular in some states — would happen immediately. “Americans should be confident their elections are being run with integrity — including commonsense voter ID requirements, clean voter rolls, and citizenship verification,” said Rep. Bryan Steil, chairman of the House Administration Committee, in a statement. The 120-plus-page bill includes requirements that people present a photo ID before they vote and that states verify the citizenship of individuals when they register to vote, starting next year. More immediately, this fall it would require states to use “auditable” paper ballots in elections, which most already do; prohibit states from mailing ballots to all voters through universal vote-by-mail systems; and ban ranked choice voting, which is used in Maine and Alaska. States risk losing federal election funds at various junctures for noncompliance. For example, states would be required to have agreements with the attorney general’s office to share information about potential voter fraud or risk losing federal election funds in 2026. And starting this year, it would require states to more frequently update their voting rolls, every 30 days. According to The Associated Press, the legislation faces a long road in the narrowly-split Congress, where Democrats have rejected similar ideas as disenfranchising Americans’ ability to vote with onerous registration and ID requirements. The effort comes as the Trump administration is turning its attention toward election issues before the November election, when control of Congress will be at stake.

$45M in HAVA funding for FY26 passed both houses and has been signed into law. This is a $30 million increase from FY25. 

Minnesota’s Republican congressional delegation is trying to put pressure on Secretary of State Steve Simon to comply with federal requests for the state’s voter rolls, the latest volley in a monthslong battle between the state and federal government over the data. U.S. Reps. Pete Stauber, Tom Emmer, Michelle Fischbach and Brad Finstad are co-sponsoring a bill that would bar Simon’s office from receiving federal election-assistance funds until it cooperates with several U.S. Department of Justice data requests, including one for the state’s voter rolls that has escalated into a lawsuit. The bill, which faces an uncertain future in Congress, is the latest attempt by Republicans and President Donald Trump to exert more influence over the nation’s elections, which are largely administered by state and local officials. 

Arizona Ballot Measure: A new initiative seeks to ask Arizona voters whether they want to constitutionally preserve the right used by nearly 90% of them to vote early and even to drop off their ballots on Election Day. A petition drive has been launched by a group calling itself Protect the Vote Arizona that seeks to put a provision in the Arizona Constitution saying there is a “fundamental right” to be able to vote early as well as vote on Election Day. And that, according to Stacy Pearson, whose Lumen Strategies is managing the campaign, includes not just showing up in person to cast a ballot but also dropping off what the ballots that were mailed to their homes. What it also would cement into the constitution is that the right to vote early can be exercised “without providing a reason or excuse.”

Arizona: Arizona could permanently move up its state primary election date under an advancing legislative proposal that would also give voters more time to fix signature problems on early ballots and codify where party observers may watch election activity. The House voted unanimously Monday to pass the legislation, which would move the primary from the first Tuesday in August to the second-to-last Tuesday in July. That would ensure that election officials can meet federally mandated deadlines to send out general election ballots to military and overseas voters, even if a statewide recount delays the finalization of the primary results. If the bill also passes the Arizona Senate and is signed by Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs, the 2026 primary election date would move from Aug. 4 to July 21. The legislation passed the House after its sponsor — Republican Rep. Alexander Kolodin — offered a floor amendment that would reextend the ballot curing period.

Independence County, Arkansas: Noting a recent Arkansas Supreme Court decision, Independence County officials say voters heading to the polls on March 3 will use electronic voting machines, despite approving an ordinance 14 months ago requiring hand-marked, hand-counted paper ballots. The Independence County Quorum Court voted Dec. 11, 2025, to repeal Ordinance 2024-18, which county voters approved 8,309 to 5,184 in November 2024. Arkansas law allows a quorum court to repeal voter-approved measures with a two-thirds supermajority vote. “An Arkansas Supreme Court ruling on the process of petition gathering placed Independence County in a posture of being on the wrong side of the Arkansas Constitution. Therefore, the Quorum Court JPs voted, with a supermajority, to return the election process to the same as before,” Independence County Judge Kevin Jeffery said on Wednesday. In a Feb. 4 press release county officials cited an Arkansas Supreme Court ruling issued after the 2024 election. The October decision in Evans v. Harrison determined that county initiative petitions must be filed between 60 and 90 days before an election under the Arkansas Constitution. “A recent ruling by the Arkansas Supreme Court found the 2024 paper ballot issue was outside the legal parameters as detailed by the Arkansas Constitution,” Jeffery told White River Now. “The Justices of the Peace expressed the need to uphold their Oath of Office to uphold the Arkansas Constitution. This action by the Quorum Court did not bring into question the legality of any ballot method, but rather upheld the Supreme Court ruling that proper procedure wasn’t followed during the initiative petition process.”

Florida: A bill to impose heightened requirements for first-time voters, including mandating presentation of documents such as a U.S. passport or birth certificate — received its first hearing in this year’s legislative session, and was approved by a party-line vote in the Senate Ethics and Elections Committee. The proposal (SB 1334) is sponsored by Sen. Erin Grall, R-Vero Beach. It would make a number of revisions to election laws, but by far the most contentious would require a voter to provide specific documents to prove he or she a U.S. citizen if records from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) indicate that they are not. Grall says that only voters who lack a driver’s license that is REAL ID-compliant would have to prove their citizenship. (A 2005 federal law called the REAL ID Act requires standardized driver’s licenses and ID cards to be issued by all U.S. states). She later said that 99% of Floridians are already REAL ID-compliant. Among the documents the bill would deem acceptable to prove citizenship are: An original or certified copy of a birth certificate; A valid unexpired passport; A naturalization certificate issued by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security; A Consular Report of Birth Abroad provided by the U.S. Department of State; A current and valid Florida driver license or Florida ID card — if that card indicates U.S. citizenship; A current and valid photo identification issued by the federal government or the state which indicates U.S. citizenship; or An order from a federal court granting U.S. citizenship.

A bill that would require the state to develop and maintain a centralized database to help individuals with felony convictions determine whether they are eligible for restoration of voting rights quickly passed its second committee stop in the state Senate. The proposal (SB 132), sponsored by Sen. Tina Polsky, D-Boca Raton, has been pushed by voting rights advocates for years after more than 65% of Floridians approved Amendment 4 in 2018, which automatically restored the voting rights for individuals who had completed their sentences. The Legislature then passed an implementing bill during the 2019 session that added the requirement that those returning citizens must pay off all their legal financial obligations to fully restore their voting rights. That substantially reduced the number of people with felony convictions able to vote immediately — and ultimately resulted in some of those individuals being arrested after believing that they were eligible to vote when they still weren’t. Polsky’s bill would require the Florida Commission on Offender Review to create a website no later than July 1, 2029, to provide individuals who have been disqualified from voting based on a felony conviction (other than murder or a felony sexual offense) “clear instructions” about getting their voting rights restored and registering to vote. The measure was passed unanimously in the Senate Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice, and now moves to the Senate Fiscal Policy Committee, its last stop before hitting the floor.

Legislation to impose firm deadlines on when the governor must call special elections — a move that would prevent long stretches of unfilled seats and ensure consistent representation for voters — just cleared its first Senate hurdle. The Senate Ethics and Elections Committee voted 8-0 for the measure (SB 460) by Boca Raton Democratic Sen. Tina Scott Polsky, who said it’s necessary to address an “inconsistency” in Florida’s electoral process. While the Governor is required to order special elections when vacancies occur in the U.S. House and Florida Legislature, current law does not set deadlines for when those elections must be scheduled.

Georgia: Republican lawmakers are moving to rework how the state conducts its elections in advance of a crucial midterm election. Under a draft House proposal obtained by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Georgians would have two in-person voting options for casting their ballot. Election Day voters would use hand-marked paper ballots, which would be tabulated by machines. Georgians voting early would be able to choose to fill out a ballot by hand or select their candidates using the current touchscreen system, which prints out a paper ballot receipt. Touchscreen votes would be hand-counted. The proposal was expected to be considered in the House Governmental Affairs Committee on February 2, but the meeting was called off after the proposal’s language immediately sparked controversy among local election officials and Democrats. State Rep. Saira Draper, D-Atlanta, condemned the proposal, saying it would make it “easier to cheat and harder to vote.” Athens-Clarke County Elections Board Chair Rocky Raffle called it a “half-formed proposal aimed at fixing an elections process that is not broken.” The committee’s chair, state Rep. Victor Anderson, R-Cornelia, said “new information was brought to light about a potential solution for Georgia’s elections.” “Out of an abundance of caution, we are taking the necessary time to vet this idea and ensure Georgia voters get the transparency, integrity and security they deserve from our elections procedures,” he said. The committee was expected to consider the draft measure, likely by gutting an existing bill and replacing it with the new provisions. Under the draft proposal, unofficial early voting results from touchscreens would be counted using QR codes printed on ballot receipts for quick results and would later be counted by hand for an official tabulation. It’s unclear how much a new hybrid system would cost under the measure. The Election Day paper ballots would either be preprinted or printed by ballot-on-demand printers.

Senators passed a resolution urging the Secretary of State’s Office to turn over the state’s voter registration list to the U.S. Department of Justice. “Today, all we are doing is urging an elected official to do what Georgia law says he should do. That’s all,” said Sen. Randy Robertson, R-District 29. The resolution passed in a 31–22 vote. The Secretary of State’s Office pushed back on the resolution, implying it conflicts with state law. In a statement, Secretary Brad Raffensperger said in part, “This office will not violate state law, and state law is very clear. I urge state and federal lawmakers to focus on strengthening state administration of elections rather than rehashing the same outdated claims — or worse — moving to federalize a core function of state government.”

A House study committee looking at election procedures in the Peach State submitted its final report this week, including recommendations on how to comply with a provision of state law taking effect this year on ballot QR codes and one advocating for a new statewide voting system. The Blue-Ribbon Study Committee on Election Procedures met six times last year. The committee was chaired by state Representative Tim Fleming, a Covington Republican who is running for secretary of state this year. The final report, which you can find at the bottom of this story, made three recommendations: 

1. That the committee’s existence be extended through the end of this year so that it may continue meeting and offering further recommendations; 
2. that the state legislature should “adopt legislation during the 2026 session to provide for the procurement of Georgia’s next statewide voting system;” 
3. that the General Assembly should adopt legislation allowing voters to “utilize pre-printed, hand-marked paper ballots on Election Day, beginning with the 2026 General Election.”

The report represents the committee’s recommendations. For its election procedure suggestions to go into effect, the Georgia General Assembly would have to pass legislation installing the recommendations into state law.

Illinois: Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr., is a trailblazer, pioneer and icon who fights for voter rights and democracy, and a new bill seeks to honor his legacy in a unique way. House Bill 4339 is known as the Jesse Jackson, Sr., Young Voter Empowerment Law, and if passed it would require Illinois high schools to provide students with opportunities to register to vote.  Participation on the part of students is voluntary, and the bill explicitly prevents partisan organizations from getting involved, making it a neutral and student-centered experience. “We’re not telling students who to vote for or what to vote for. We’re just asking them to register to vote,” said State Rep. Kimberly DuBuclet, one of the lawmakers who introduced the bill. State Senator Robert Peters is the bill’s co-sponsor. “We want to make sure young people understand the process, how government works for them,” he said.

Iowa: A bill proposing changes to satellite voting in Iowa is advancing in the Iowa House. Senate File 140 would restrict schools from serving as satellite absentee voting stations if they have items on the ballot. If approved, county election commissioners would be required to reject requests to establish satellite absentee voting stations on school property. The proposal will go to a full state government committee for further discussion.

A bill regulating elections in Iowa is advancing in the House. House Study Bill 627 would require any agency investigating an election to notify state leaders. It would also require a person’s voter registration that is incomplete or pending to be canceled if county elections leaders aren’t able to verify their information and complete the registration. The bill advanced through a House subcommittee Wednesday and could be taken up by the full committee next.

Kansas: A Senate bill endorsed by the Secretary of State’s Office would end advanced voting by mail if a court strikes down state law requiring election officials to verify a voter’s signature. The prospect of such a ruling is playing out in Shawnee County District Court, where voting rights groups argue the signature verification process is unequally applied from one county to another, leading to the disenfranchisement of lawful, qualified voters. The Kansas Attorney General’s Office, which is tasked with defending the state law, relied on the artificial intelligence platform ChatGPT for assistance with at least one of its legal briefs in defense of that lawsuit. Clay Barker, general counsel for the Secretary of State’s Office, told a Senate committee that Senate Bill 394 would allow the Legislature to “lay down a line” that says signature verification is such an integral part of voting by mail that the two can’t be separated. “It sets legislative intent to unambiguously establish with certainty and beyond dispute the signature verification is not severable because it’s intertwined with everything — the application, the ballot, you can’t even open the envelope until the signature is verified,” Barker said to the Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee. Kansas has required a form of signature verification for mail ballots since 1995. Under state law, voters sign the mail ballot envelope, and local election officials have to verify that the signature on the envelope matches the one on the voter registration file. If there appears to be a discrepancy, the election office has to attempt to contact the voter, who could bring a photo ID to the election office to resolve the matter. Barker said there were 300,000 mail ballots returned in 2022 and 2024, and just 224 were rejected because a signature posed a concern and the voter didn’t “come back and cure it.”

Missouri: Missourians on parole and probation cannot vote until their sentence is completed, unless the person participated in an election-related crime. Because of this, the more than 50,000 people in Missouri on parole or probation currently don’t have the right to vote. Both Republican and Democratic state lawmakers are proposing legislation to change that. State Rep. Kimberly Ann Collins, D-St. Louis, is sponsoring House Bill 2834, which “restores voting rights to individuals on probation or parole.” She said a motivating factor for her is one of her constituents, Bobby Bostic. He was sentenced to 241 years in prison at 16 years old. He was released on parole after being incarcerated for 27 years, and is not eligible to vote. Now, Collins said he is a “good productive citizen” who pays taxes and is “giving back every day,” and serves as an example of someone who would be affected by this bill. On the other side of the aisle, state Rep. Melanie Stinnett, R-Springfield, is sponsoring a similar bill. Stinnett spoke of an experience with her constituent that she says has affected her. She said a man explained to her how hard it has been for him to not be able to vote. “That really impacted me, it was something that influenced my decision to file a bill like this. This was actually the first bill I ever pre filed as a legislator because of how impactful that experience was with that constituent,” Stinnett said. A third bill was addressed in the hearing, House Bill 2787. This bill was sponsored by state Rep. Marlon Anderson, D-St. Louis. The House Corrections and Public Institutions Committee will now make recommendations and decide if it will send the bills to the House floor for a vote.

Nebraska: The Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee advanced a proposed amendment that would change one word to two in the Nebraska Constitution about only citizens voting in elections. Citizens are the only voters allowed already under the state constitution and state law. The Nebraska Constitution gives voting rights to “every” eligible U.S. citizen at least 18 years old in accordance with other sections of law. Legislative Resolution 283CA, from State Sen. Barry DeKay of Niobrara, would change the word “every” in Article VI, Section 1 to “only a” citizen could vote. Multiple members of the Committee acknowledged little change either way under DeKay’s proposal and affirmed that noncitizens are not voting in Nebraska elections. The committee advanced the bill to the full Legislature, splitting 5-3 along ideological lines. All five Republicans voted in favor. State Sen. Dunixi Gureca of Omaha, a Democrat, confirmed his opposition via text to the Nebraska Examiner. He was presenting a bill in another hearing at the time of the vote.

South Dakota: Doubts about a person’s citizenship status could be used to challenge their right to vote in South Dakota, if a proposal approved by a legislative committee becomes law. A person initiating a challenge would have to be registered to vote in the same county as the person being challenged. South Dakota’s secretary of state or a local county auditor’s office could also raise a challenge. The challenge would have to be filed with the county auditor at least 90 days before an election. The Secretary of State’s Office, which oversees elections in South Dakota, requested the bill . There are no specifics in the bill about what kind of proof a person would need to disprove another person’s citizenship. Deadrick gave examples that ranged from a copy of a person’s immigration visa to a sworn statement concerning a conversation about citizenship. Sen. Liz Larson, D-Sioux Falls, was the only Senate State Affairs Committee member to vote against the measure. She raised concerns about what evidence or proof is needed to challenge a person’s vote and whether the state should give everyday citizens that authority.

House Bill 10-95 is in response to codified law passed by the Legislature last session that combined all the municipal, school and county elections to the same day in South Dakota. Many election officials testified to the House State Affairs Committee that the updated election schedule has created some inconsistencies in the dates between cities, schools and counties. Proponents say the bill creates consistency. However, Kathy Glines, who’s the Harding County Auditor, said another issue is at stake this year. “There’s a 99.99% chance we won’t meet the deadlines this year for the June election,” Glines said, adding that it was disturbing at the bill’s initial hearing on Jan. 28. This election cycle creates more challenges for election staff. Under current law, candidate hopefuls for statewide elections and state Legislature races must submit nominating petitions by the last Tuesday in March. This year there are five Tuesdays in March, and the deadline falls on March 31 and would give county auditors 15 days to have ballots in-hand ahead of absentee voting for the June primary. Good Friday and the Monday following Easter are during that timeframe as well, which the Secretary of State’s Office said could create additional complications. County auditors are mandated by law to have the ballots ready for absentee by a certain date. Thomas Oliva is the Hughes County Auditor and told the committee he’s not entirely sure about what the penalties are for not reaching deadlines. Rep. Rebecca Reimer brought HB 1095 to address the unique challenges the 2026 election poses. It changes the date to the third Tuesday in March, up two weeks for 2026.

A bill that could help produce election results sooner in South Dakota’s more-populated counties passed unanimously in the state Senate State Affairs Committee. Senate Bill 171 advances to the full Senate on a 9-0 vote. The bill allows county auditors to verify and open absentee ballots on the Monday before a Tuesday election. The bill does not allow absentee votes to be counted on that Monday. The bill’s prime sponsor is Republican Sen. Sue Peterson of Lincoln and Minnehaha counties.

Utah: Voting rights advocates have long advocated an easy way to get more Americans to the polls: make Election Day a holiday. But without federal action to ensure voters get time away from work to cast a ballot, Utah lawmakers are advancing a bill to add it to state calendars. And although the bill would primarily result in a day off for public employees, Utah law already requires private employers to ensure workers are given adequate time to vote. If the proposal from Rep. Ryan Wilcox, R-Ogden, passes, Utah would join five states that both recognize Election Day as a holiday and mandate paid time off, if needed, for voting. The House Government and Operations Committee unanimously voted last week to approve the bill, which will now be heard by the full House chamber. “We’ll do everything we can to encourage folks to vote,” Wilcox said, “and we’ve heard from a number of private folks that would love to have a nudge or an excuse to do that — to give their folks some extra time.”

Virginia: House Bill 640 would change how voter eligibility challenges are handled in Virginia elections by removing the ability for voters to raise challenges at polling places or through local general registrars. Instead, all challenges would be required to proceed through the state’s circuit courts. The bill, sponsored by Del. Paul E. Krizek, D–16, was prefiled Jan. 13 and introduced Jan. 14. It was assigned to the House Privileges and Elections Committee, where it advanced through the Voting Rights Subcommittee on a 6–2 vote on Jan. 28. The full committee reported the bill with a substitute on Jan. 30 by a 15–7 vote. It has not yet received a vote on the House floor. Under current Virginia law, a voter may challenge another voter’s eligibility at the polling place, and three voters may challenge a registration through the local general registrar. Those challenges are handled administratively, often by pollworkers or registrars, and can sometimes be resolved the same day, including on Election Day. HB640 would eliminate both of those processes. Under the proposal, three qualified voters would be required to file a petition in circuit court challenging a voter’s eligibility. The challenged voter would receive notice, and a judge would decide the matter. Any appeal would be filed directly with the Court of Appeals of Virginia on a priority basis.

Washington: High schools could soon be required to offer coursework teaching students how to write a signature in cursive under a bill heard in the House Education Committee. The bill would add lessons on making official cursive signatures to current mandatory high school civics classes. It would also require lessons on what official signatures are used for in government and elections. The proposal isn’t about crafting art or good penmanship. It’s focused on preparing teens to vote. In Washington’s vote-by-mail system, a signature is required and if it differs from the signature on file, the ballot gets rejected. Studies have shown that younger voters tend to get their signature rejected more often because they haven’t solidified a regular signature. In addition, the Secretary of State’s Office would have to include in its odd-year voter survey mismatched signatures by age group. The bill was sponsored by Rep. April Connors, R-Kennewick, who said her own observations on youth using cursive were concerning. “It’s not necessarily a cursive bill, but a lot of us sign our signatures in cursive,” she said. “It’s hard because the kids aren’t learning.” She argued the bill would decrease the number of ballots getting challenged during elections by young voters.

West Virginia: A newly introduced bill in the Legislature would dramatically change how elections are conducted across the state. House Bill 4935, introduced during the 2026 Regular Session by Delegate Dillon, proposes requiring paper ballots in all elections, banning electronic voting systems entirely, and mandating that voters present a government-issued photo ID in order to cast a ballot. Under the bill, every vote in West Virginia would be cast on paper and hand-counted, ending the use of electronic voting machines, ballot scanners, and other digital tabulation systems currently allowed under state law. The legislation repeals the entire section of state code that authorizes and regulates electronic voting systems, effectively removing them from all state, county, and municipal elections. In addition to eliminating electronic voting, the proposal would require voters to show a government-issued photographic identification card before being allowed to vote. The bill does not outline alternative options for voters without photo ID.

The Senate passed a bill tightening rules on how ballots are accepted and counted, approving the measure after debate over whether the changes would protect election integrity or risk disenfranchising voters. The committee substitute for Senate Bill 61 would amend state law to prohibit counting ballots cast in a manner not authorized by law, including ballots cast in the incorrect precinct. It would also bar election officials from counting provisional ballots on election day and remove discretion currently held by county commissions to overlook certain ballot errors. Sen. Tom Willis, R-Berkeley, chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said the bill is intended to strengthen election integrity and ensure votes are cast only in races for which voters are legally eligible.

A proposed bill that would eliminate nonpartisan elections for mayor and city council positions by 2032 has been pulled from a House Judiciary Committee agenda but continues to stir discussion in Charleston. Introduced by District 3 State Delegate Jimmy Willis, the bill would also prevent mayors from being appointed except to fill vacancies. Currently, most of the 230 incorporated cities in West Virginia conduct nonpartisan elections for these roles.

A bill introduced by Sen. Eric Tarr (R-Putnam) and Sen. Darren Thorne (R-Hampshire) put explicit criminal penalties on casting ballots in the wrong district. The Senate Judiciary Committee revised the bill, adding “with the intent to commit fraud” to its provisions on violations. However, Sen. Joey Garcia (D-Marion) says the legislation could unfairly target the elderly and first-time voters.   “We already have a process to make sure that if somebody is not supposed to vote, they’re not going to vote. Their ballot will not be cast,” Garcia says. “And I think that’s something where the opposing view on this was that they may vote the wrong ballot, but I don’t see any proof that that wouldn’t be taken into consideration by the county commission either.”

West Virginia law allows a buffer for county election officials to receive absentee ballots through the mail in time for canvassing and counting. But a new law being considered would move that deadline to Election Day, raising concerns about disenfranchising rural and older voters. The House Judiciary Committee spent part of this week considering House Bill 4600, requiring all ballots for primary and general elections to be received no later than the close of polls on Election Day. The committee recommended the bill for passage to the full House of Delegates Wednesday morning. HB 4600 would require that any absentee ballot returned to a local county clerk via the U.S. mail or express shipping must be received by the county clerk’s office by 8 p.m. on the day of the primary or general election. It would apply to standard absentee ballots, military and overseas voters, and ballots submitted electronically.

Legal Updates

Arkansas: Garland County Justice of the Peace Dayton Myers filed a lawsuit last week against the Garland County Election Commission and County Judge Darryl Mahoney. He explained how they’re allowing a polling location to be at his opponent, Robert Louton’s job, Allen Tillery Automobile Dealership. The lawsuit said the polling location is usually at the Hot Springs Mall. Documents allege Mahoney hand-picked the location, saying, “It is understood that the Garland County Judge may have made the recommendation as to a polling place to the Garland County Election Commission.” Mahoney declined to comment. Myers and one of his attorneys, Josh Hurst, said they tried to file an appeal with the Election Commission but were denied, which led to them filing an injunction.  He also stressed that all they’re asking for is fairness. “Even the appearance that the Election Commission is showing favoritism to one candidate or the other, or that the polling location is somehow not neutral. It’s not right, and it’s not fair to the voters. They may feel intimidated when they go in to vote to some capacity,” Myers said. “I fully support the decisions made by the Garland County Election Commission and the County Judge. I want to be clear that I am an employee who happens to be on the ballot for Justice of the Peace, District 7. The location currently under scrutiny is in District 4, not in District 7. My office is located at 4573 Central Avenue, Hot Springs, Arkansas. The building where voting will take place is located at 2251 Higdon Ferry Road, Hot Springs, Arkansas. This is a completely separate building from where I work, located approximately 200 yards away. I respect the election process and the officials responsible for ensuring that the process is fair and transparent,” said Louton in a statement.

California: Huntington Beach’s voter identification charter amendment has been denied, after the California Supreme Court declined to hear the city’s appeal last week. In a 2024 special election, Huntington Beach residents passed Measure A, a city charter amendment that would allow the city to check identification in municipal elections beginning this year. But state officials and Huntington Beach resident Mark Bixby have both pushed back on the city, arguing that a voter ID requirement was illegal and infringed on rights. “Today’s victory makes one thing crystal clear: No city in our state, charter and non-charter alike, is above the law,” California Atty. General Rob Bonta said in a statement. “All along, Secretary of State Weber and I have maintained that Huntington Beach’s voter ID policy is illegal, and now, the state’s highest court has weighed in and agreed with us. Measure A won’t be taking effect — ever. Huntington Beach’s leaders have been parroting the Trump Administration’s talking points by questioning the integrity of our elections. In court, the city’s allegations were resoundingly rejected. I remain fully committed to protecting the right to vote from baseless attacks.” Orange County Superior Court Judge Nico Dourbetas ruled in April 2025 that voter ID would not compromise the integrity of a municipal election. A three-judge panel of the state Fourth District Court of Appeal disagreed, however, in a November ruling, stating that the requirement was preempted by elections code that was recently updated. The code was updated after Senate Bill 1174, authored by then-state Sen. Dave Min, passed last year. The City Council unanimously voted in closed session this week to appeal a pair of congruent voter ID lawsuits to the U.S. Supreme Court, City Atty. Mike Vigliotta reported, after the California Supreme Court declined to hear the city’s appeal last week.

Georgia: Officials in Fulton County filed a court challenge this week seeking the return of scores of election records seized by federal agents last week from a warehouse in Fulton County, which has been central to right-wing conspiracy theories about President Donald Trump’s loss in the 2020 presidential election. Robb Pitts, chairman of the Fulton County Board of Commissioners, vowed that county officials would use “every resource” to secure ballots and other material and cast the court fight as part of a broader effort to ensure the future of independent elections. The county’s motion, which was filed under seal in federal court in Atlanta, also asked the judge to unseal the investigative affidavit that agents submitted to secure their search warrant, Pitts said. “Our very Constitution is at stake in this fight,” he said at a news conference, adding later: “This case is not only about Fulton County. It’s about elections across Georgia and across the nation.”

Texas: U.S. District Judge Robert Pitman ruled last week that Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton failed to offer “any plausible proof” that Jolt Initiative, a nonprofit that aims to increase civic participation among Latinos, is violating the law. Paxton had filed a lawsuit in state court accusing Jolt of submitting “unlawful voter registration applications,” specifying in a press release that the group was “attempting to register illegals, who are all criminals.” The suit, which seeks to revoke Jolt’s nonprofit charter through a legal mechanism known as a quo warranto petition, was put on ice by Pitman, who said in his ruling that Paxton appears to be operating in bad faith. The attorney general’s case against Jolt “supposes absolutely no wrongdoing,” and indicates that the attorney general may be “harassing [Jolt] and fishing for reasons to investigate its organization.”

Disability Rights Texas filed a class-action lawsuit against Harris County this week alleging its mail-in voting process is inaccessible for visually impaired voters or those with “print disabilities.” An attorney with Disability Rights Texas sued both the county and County Clerk Teneshia Hudspeth in federal court on behalf of the National Federation of the Blind of Texas and four disabled voters. The residents, all of whom are either visually impaired or otherwise incapable of filling out a paper ballot, argued the county’s refusal to offer an electronic alternative forced them to depend on caretakers and loved ones to read and fill out their mail-in ballots. The plaintiffs accused the county of violating both the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, arguing its failure to provide an electronic ballot undermined their ability to independently vote in privacy. 

Wisconsin: According to Votebeat, the Wisconsin Elections Commission, filing its first ever friend-of-the-court brief, challenged Madison’s controversial legal argument that it should not be financially liable for 193 uncounted ballots in the 2024 presidential election because of a state law that calls absentee voting a privilege, not a right. The argument presented by city officials misunderstands what “privilege” means in the context of absentee voting and “enjoys no support in the constitution or case law,” the commission wrote in its filing Tuesday, echoing a similar rebuke by Gov. Tony Evers last month. “Once an elector has complied with the statutory process, whether absentee or in-person, she has a constitutional right to have her vote counted,” the commission said.

Opinions This Week

National Opinions: Election legislation; 2020, II, III, IV | Midterms, II, III, IV, V | Presidential threats to elections | Election interference | Voter integrity | Election administration | Ranked choice voting | Election lies     

California: San Luis Obispo County 

Colorado: Tina Peters 

Connecticut: Election administration

Florida: US Postal Service 

Georgia: Fulton County, II, III, IV | Faith in elections | Free and fair elections    

Indiana: Ranked choice voting, II 

Minnesota: Voter data 

Missouri: Election protection | Secretary of state  

New York: Special elections 

North Carolina: State Board of Elections 

Wisconsin: Voter data 

Upcoming Events

130th Annual County and District Clerks’ Association of Texas (TAC) Conference: The County and District Clerks’ Association of Texas will hold its annual conference in San Marcos. When: February 10-13. Where: San Marcos

EAC Election Audit Standards Hearing: On Wednesday, February 18, join the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) for a hearing on Election Audit Standards in the agency’s Washington, DC hearing room. During the event, election officials and audit professionals will discuss ways they are effectively using audits to boost public trust in elections. This event will be livestreamed on the EAC’s YouTube channel  and held in person. When: February 18, 1:30pm Eastern. Where: Online and Washington, DC.

2026 NACo Legislative Conference: The NACo Legislative Conference brings together nearly 2,000 elected and appointed county officials to focus on federal policy issues that matter most to county governments. Attendees will experience timely, high-impact policy sessions and will interact with executive branch officials, members of Congress and their staff. When: February 21-24. Where: Washington, DC. 

Election Center February Workshop: Focusing on interaction and sharing of practices selected by members to receive People’s Choice Awards, the February Workshops formalize those critical conversations that happen at conferences during meals, in the hallways, & the hotel lobby. The agenda augments the award-winning member presentations with applicable research and resources.Two CERA core courses and one renewal will be held following the workshop.  When: February 25-27. Where: Jacksonville, Florida. 

Election Center April Workshop: In April, the focus is on state associations and state trainings both by modeling conference formats, facilitation techniques, and potential content resources.  The Coalition of Election Association Leaders (CEAL) guides state groups in their maturation process with mentorship and networking opportunities. When: April 22-24. Where: Chicago.

Job Postings

electionlineWeekly publishes election administration job postings each week as a free service to our readers. To have your job listed in the newsletter, please send a copy of the job description, including a web link to mmoretti@electionline.org.  Job postings must be received by 5pm on Wednesday in order to appear in the Thursday newsletter. Listings will run for three weeks or till the deadline listed in the posting.

Director of Election Information Technology, King County, Washington– King County Elections (KCE) seeks a dynamic and visionary leader to serve as our Director of Elections Information Technology (Division Director – Technology). The Director of Elections Information Technology will report to the elected Director of Elections, serve as a member of the Department’s Leadership Team, and lead and support a highly skilled team to achieve excellence in election technology, security, and administration. This role will play a key part in developing departmental goals, strategies, and initiatives, driving the adoption of new technologies within KCE, and fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration. This is a unique opportunity to inspire and empower a team, drive the adoption of new technologies within KCE, identify opportunities to bring innovation to the forefront of our operations, and significantly impact the future of election administration in one of the most populous and diverse counties in the United States.  This is a hybrid position that performs work remotely and on-site. As a leadership team member, this position is expected to work on-site frequently during active elections. Salary: $166,509 – $211,060. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here. 

Election Operations & Workforce Manager, Charleston County, South Carolina–  The Board of Voter Registration and Elections is an award-winning organization dedicated to excellence in electoral processes. Our mission is to daily serve the Charleston County voting constituency with Vigilance, Objectivity, and Transparency in a manner that promotes due diligence Excellence in all aspects of Elections Management. We are committed to continuous improvement, innovative practices, and exceptional service to our community, ensuring every voter’s voice is heard.   Are you driven by a passion for democracy and civic engagement? Join the Board of Voter Registration and Elections as the Election Operations and Workforce Manager and play a critical role in delivering seamless, fair, and accessible elections. Key Responsibilities: Poll Worker Recruitment and Management; Polling Location Management; Liaison and Community Engagement; Support for Election Operations on Election Day and Early Voting; and Team Leadership. Salary: $68,140 – $89,252. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here. 

Election Service Manager, Arapahoe County, Colorado– The Arapahoe County government serves its communities in ways both obvious and obscure. As the beating heart of local and regional government, we’re here for our neighbors on their best days—and their worst. We share our residents’ goals of preserving our quality of life and strive to be the place we’re proud to call home. The Election Service Manager performs managerial level administrative, supervisory, and professional work in carrying out a comprehensive public facing service operation. This position specifically supervises the Election Services team, which includes voter service polling center logistics, election/ballot security, ballot processing and election systems maintenance. Salary: $77,439.18 – $123,701.24. Deadline: February 26. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here. 

Election Software Specialist, Printelect– Printelect is a dynamic and well-established regional election technology & services company with a proven track record in ballot printing, mail services, and a diverse portfolio of election products. With over fifty employees and one hundred twenty years of industry-leading experience, we take pride in our commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction. We partner with local governments throughout Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia to provide products, services, and support for the conduct and administration of Federal, State, and local elections. Job Duties and Responsibilities: Work with our county and city official customers to translate their jurisdictional requirements and candidate data into formats used by voting equipment software. Utilize proprietary election management software, Microsoft Office, and Adobe Suite to build jurisdiction-specific databases, format paper and electronic ballots, and configure voting equipment to utilize those datasets. Provide phone and on-site support for our customers and troubleshoot any issues that arise. Communicate and cross-train with internal departments to facilitate accurate election preparation and good customer service. Develop a comprehensive understanding of all manufacturer hardware and software manuals, and be able to effectively communicate that information to team members and customers. Stay up to date on all new software updates and hardware offerings. Participate in on-site customer training and election day support. Salary: $55,000-60,000. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here. 

Elections & Voter Registration Director, Athens-Clark County, Georgia–The purpose of this position is to serve as the Chief Registration Officer and Election Supervisor for Athens-Clarke County, ensuring the lawful, secure, and transparent administration of all voter registration and election activities. The Director provides strategic leadership and operational oversight of election planning, voter registration, ballot preparation, election equipment, polling locations, and results certification in compliance with federal, state, and local laws. This role manages staff and budget, oversees process improvements and emergency preparedness, and maintains accurate and accessible election records. The Director serves as a key advisor and partner to the Board of Elections, collaborates with state and local stakeholders, and acts as a visible spokesperson to strengthen voter education, engagement, and public confidence in the electoral process. Salary: $99,902.00 – $119,007.00 Annually. Deadline: February 23. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here. 

Elections Division Manager, Washington County, Minnesota– Washington County is seeking a steady, collaborative, and resilient leader to serve as our Elections Division Manager. This role is well-suited for an experienced people manager who brings calm leadership to complex, high-pressure environments. While experience in elections is desired, it is not required; leadership in government or non-profit organizations may be transferable to satisfy what is needed in this role. We are most interested in candidates who demonstrate sound judgment, emotional steadiness, patience, and the ability to lead teams through change, ambiguity, and public scrutiny. The Elections Division Manager oversees all aspects of elections operations, ensuring compliance with statutory requirements while leading a team of full-time and temporary employees in the administration of federal, state, county, municipal, school district, and special elections. This position requires someone who can navigate long hours during peak election periods, respond professionally to misinformation or heightened public concern, and provide steady leadership as the team continues to strengthen its structure and operations. This is an opportunity for a leader who can bring structure, clarity, and trust to a critical public service function, while growing in their knowledge of the technical aspects of elections administration with support from experienced staff and state and county partners. Salary: $43.32 – $59.19 Hourly. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here. 

Elections Project Manager, Riverside County, California– The County of Riverside’s Registrar of Voter is seeking a qualified Elections Project Manager to join their Administrative Team in Riverside. The Elections Project Manager is a management level position reporting to the Assistant Registrar of Voters, with no direct supervisory responsibility. The position is responsible for managing all Registrar of Voters process improvement initiatives and major operational projects. This role applies comprehensive knowledge of elections functions, programs, and services to ensure projects align with County goals and strategic priorities, while identifying, analyzing, and resolving issues encountered during project development and implementation. The position provides high level project, analytical, and budget period support to five managers including Fiscal, Voter Services, Operations, Outreach, and the Public Information Officer. Key responsibilities include coordinating staff, contractors, County departments, and external agencies; managing contracts related to voting technology, election equipment, and services; collaborating with Purchasing to ensure timely acquisition and delivery; supporting operational needs to conduct elections; performing major project analysis under agreement and contract requirements; developing and presenting reports for County and community submission; and delivering presentations and analysis during the budget process. The ideal candidate for the Elections Project Manager position will possess a strong combination of technical expertise, leadership, and interpersonal skills, with experience managing projects within an elections office or a comparable public-sector elections environment. The most competitive candidates will have proficiency in project management methodologies, ideally with PMI certification, and a proven track record of successfully managing complex projects from initiation to completion. They will demonstrate strong presentation skills and the ability to analyze data to inform decision-making and reporting. Exceptional written and verbal communication skills are essential for collaborating with diverse stakeholders, including staff, contractors, County departments, and community members. The role requires the ability to work independently, manage competing deadlines, and maintain flexibility in scheduling to meet operational and project demands. Bilingual in Spanish is highly desired but not required. At this time, the position has the opportunity for a hybrid telework schedule based on business need, however job expectations, at times may require in person interaction. Telework may change at any time and you will be expected to report to the office. The incumbent will be required to work in the office full time during elections due to the volume of work. Salary: $97,289.00 – $138,984.00 Annually. Deadline: February 9. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here. 

Elections Specialist, Kalamazoo County, Michigan– The purpose of this job is to assist with the implementation and enforcement of Michigan election laws. Provide information and support to elected officials, members of the public, and local clerks regarding the election process. Implement Election web-based initiatives. Provide backup assistance for the Elections Coordinator. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.

Regional Sales Director – Pacific West, Runbeck–The Regional Sales Director is responsible for leading high-value sales efforts, managing key client relationships, and driving revenue growth through strategic account development. This role requires a seasoned sales professional with a proven record of exceeding sales targets, developing new business opportunities, and nurturing long-term client partnerships. The Regional Sales Director acts as a trusted advisor to clients, aligning solutions with their business objectives while contributing to the company’s overall sales strategy and success. Territory will cover California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Alaska and Hawaii. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here. 

Sales Director, Civix Software Group– We are seeking an experienced Sales Director responsible for promoting and selling Civix software solutions to new and existing clients. This role focuses on GoElect, GoRegister and GoEthics software solutions. The Sales Director will focus on building pipeline, developing relationships and driving revenue growth in the Western Region of the US. This includes state-level agencies, election commissions and City and County government entities to drive the adoption of our market-leading technology that provides transparency and builds public trust in state and local government. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here. 

Training Program Manager, Charleston County, South Carolina– Democracy works best when every election runs flawlessly—and that starts with exceptional training. As Training Manager for the Board of Voter Registration and Elections, you’ll empower our poll managers and staff to deliver elections that are fair, accessible, and trusted by every voter in Charleston County. The Board of Voter Registration and Elections is an award-winning organization dedicated to excellence in electoral processes. Our mission is to daily serve the Charleston County voting constituency with Vigilance, Objectivity, and Transparency in a manner that promotes due diligence Excellence in all aspects of Elections Management. We believe that people are the foundation of successful elections. That’s why training is not just a task—it’s a core function of our mission. When our teams are prepared, voters can be confident that their voice will be heard, and their ballot counted. As Training Manager, you are not simply teaching procedures—you are building trust in the democratic process. You will design and deliver training that helps every poll manager, staff member, and Board member understand the importance of their role, perform it with confidence, and meet the highest standards of service to our voters. Salary: $68,140.00 – $82,000.00 Annually. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here. 

Voter Services Manager, King County, Washington–The Voter Services Manager (Elections Program Manager) provides leadership to a dynamic, highly skilled team of supervisors and staff who manage the voter records of over 1.4 million registered voters in King County. This position works closely with their team and department leadership to develop and deliver on the workgroup’s goals, priorities, and the department’s vision. The ideal candidate will articulate a compelling vision for voter services that inspires the team, emphasize collaboration, clear communication, and thoughtful problem-solving in compliance with election laws, and play a vital role in election planning and operational coordination. Salary: $138,964.18 – $176,145.84. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.

Marketplace

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