In Focus This Week
NOTE: On Tuesday, my colleague Dan Seligson was notified by phone by the Washington, D.C. Board of Elections and Ethics that he will not be invited to serve as a poll worker in future elections. While no formal reason was given, the dismissal follows publication in last week’s electionline Weekly of “A Ballot-Less Nightmare in the District”, Dan’s first-person account of his experience as a poll worker in his home precinct during February 12’s D.C. presidential primary. For the record, I stand behind Dan’s reporting; moreover, I continue to believe that collecting and sharing information about the voting experience – whether good, bad, or even sometimes ugly – is a crucial part of the ongoing effort to improve our nation’s election system. – Doug Chapin, director
Following the Paper Trail
Case study examines five states’ efforts to limit paperless voting
Washington, D.C.— A new report by electionline.org details how five states that implemented electronic voting have chosen or are considering statewide paper-based optical scan systems.
“Back to Paper” explores the process by which California, Colorado, Florida, New Mexico and Ohio – having adopted electronic voting systems – subsequently decided to de-certify, re-examine or re-think their use.
Although it focuses on five states, the report describes a growing trend. Six years and millions of dollars into a major overhaul of the U.S. election system, a number of states are contemplating returning to paper-based voting systems after failed or troubled experiments with newer voting technology. Even as bills in Congress have stalled, nearly half of all states have adopted requirements for voter-verified paper with electronic voting and/or the use of paper-based voting systems, including optical-scan machines.
In the five states that are the subject of the electionline.org case study, problems at the polls, pressure from voter integrity groups and rising concern among lawmakers prompted leaders to scrap – or in one case, strongly consider scrapping – recent purchases of direct-recording electronic (DRE) systems in favor of paper-based optical scanners.
“While the national enthusiasm for a return to paper is undoubtedly a reaction to lingering concerns about electronic voting, it also mirrors the same push into electronic voting we saw in the wake of HAVA,” said Doug Chapin, director of electionline.org, referring to the Help America Vote Act of 2002, which mandates that all states and localities upgrade many aspects of their election procedures. “What remains to be seen is whether states come to see paper-based voting as the right decision – or just the best decision right now.”
While the five states’ decisions reflected different circumstances and timing, they all shared some common threads:
- Problems at the polls with electronic machines and/or poll workers operating them in one or more elections.
- A bipartisan, usually cooperative effort by each state’s chief election official and lawmakers to enact legislation and/or fund a purchase of replacement voting systems.
- State-funded and/or private studies that questioned the integrity of DRE systems.
The five states could soon be joined by Maryland—which was among the first in the country to purchase a statewide DRE voting system–Virginia and New Jersey. Lawmakers there have announced plans to phase out DREs without voter-verified paper trails, though the timelines for compliance vary.
As the report notes, the future of voting in the United States is moving decisively back to paper. With the phasing out of paperless DRE voting in the five states detailed in the report, only 14 states now allow the use of DREs without voter-verified paper audit trails, and three of those are slated to make the switch before the 2012 presidential election.
The report, the 21st in a series of election reform issue briefs and case studies, is available at http://electionline.org. To request a printed copy, please contact media@electionline.org.
Election Reform News This Week
A bill headed to the Senate floor in Oklahoma would allow voters in that state to register and vote on the same day. Sen. Kenneth Corn, D-Poteau, attached the same-day voting procedure on Wednesday to a measure designed to combat potential voter fraud. In the Oklahoma House, the Rules Committee approved legislation requiring all voters to show photo ID. Rep. Sue Tibbs, R-Tulsa, said she filed H.B. 2956 to restore the public’s confidence in the voting system. State Rep. Ryan Kiesel, D-Seminole, argued the measure would prevent poor and elderly people, who are most likely not to carry an ID, from voting. But the majority of the members on the committee disagreed, asserting that most people drive to polling places and should have a driver’s license in their possession. The bill moves next to the full House.
Legislation was recently introduced in Michigan that would reverse a court ruling that prevented clerks from maintaining a permanent list of absentee voters. S.B.1060, introduced by Sen. Bruce Patterson, R-Canton, requires local municipal clerks’ offices to establish a permanent absent voter lists. The bill also requires clerks to automatically send out absentee ballot applications to those qualified individuals requesting to be on a permanent absentee voter list. A hearing is pending in the Senate Campaign and Election Oversight Committee.
An election reform package, including enhanced poll worker training, re-registration and in-person early voting, cleared one hurdle in the Mississippi legislature this week and is headed to the Senate floor for a vote. The legislation is supported by Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann (R). “We have in Mississippi 30 percent of our counties who have more people registered to vote than are breathing, so we have problem,” Hosemann told a local television station. If Hosemann gets his wish, re-registration of Mississippi’s voters will automatically take place during this year’s presidential election. Hosemann says he will create a new training for poll workers and election commissioners, as well as a “no excuse voting” period 15 days prior to any election.
This week, more than a thousand students at Prairie View A&M and their supporters marched seven miles to the nearest polling place to protest the lack of an early voting site on campus. According to the Houston Chronicle, Waller County, Texas officials added three temporary polling places for early voting, ditching plans to open only one voting site. The Justice Department questioned the county’s original decision to cut early voting sites from a half dozen throughout the county to one. Officials said the county could not afford equipment or staff to open the additional sites. Following the march, some students stood in a long line to cast their ballots on the first day of early voting, while others filled out new voter registration cards in a building across from the courthouse. Early voting ended at about 5:30 p.m., after some waited more than five hours to cast ballots.
Opinions This Week
Arizona: Voting system
California: Vote counting; Voting system
Colorado: Voting system; Inactive voters
Florida: Voter education; Palm Beach County; Voter ID; Vote centers
Georgia: Voter ID
Kansas: Polling places
Minnesota: Caucus system
New Jersey: Trenton elections
New York: Voting machines, II
North Carolina: Primary preparations
Ohio: Voting absentee
Pennsylvania: Voting system, II; Wayne County
Texas: Voter suppression
Virginia: Poll workers
Washington: Anti-initiative bill; Disenfranchised voters
Some sites require registration
Job Postings This Week
All job listings must be received by 12 p.m. Eastern on Wednesday for publication in our Thursday newsletter. Job listings are free but may be edited for length. Whenever possible, include Internet information. Please email job postings to mmoretti@electionline.org
Administrator—Maryland State Board of Elections, Annapolis, Md. The employee will be responsible for election administration improvements related to the training of election officials (including poll workers) and overseeing the administration of a federal grant to assure access for individuals with disabilities to the election process. The federal Help America Vote Act of 2002 authorized federal funds for states to improve election administration, and this position is part of the agency’s response to the law. Qualifications: A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university; six years of experience in administrative or professional work; one year of this experience must have involved the supervision of other employees or exercising responsibility for program development; three years of administrative or professional experience in public administration managing a division or unit of State or local government; one year of experience in establishing and implementing training programs, developing training manuals and curricula for adult learners, and experience developing standards for determining the effectiveness of training and assessing performance; employees in this classification are required to be registered voters in the State of Maryland in accordance with the Election Law Article, Section 2-207(d); employees in this classification may not hold or be a candidate for any elective public or political party office or any other office created under the Constitution or laws of this State in accordance with the Election Law Article, Section 2-301(b). Salary: $40,268 – $64,282. Application: Applications may be obtained by visiting our website at: www.dbm.maryland.gov; by writing to DBM, OPSB, Recruitment & Examination Division, 301 W. Preston Street Baltimore, Maryland 21201; or by calling 410-767-4850, toll-free: 800-705-3493; TTY users call Maryland Relay Service, 800-735-2258. Deadline: Feb. 29, 2008
Chief Operating Officer — U.S. Election Assistance Commission, Washington, D.C. We are currently seeking a Chief Operating Officer (COO) to lead the operational activities of the agency with the objective of achieving the EAC’s goals and objectives. The COO supervises professional responsible for the programmatic and administrative divisions and provides the direction, management and coordination of EAC programs and operations. The incumbent serves as the central recognized authoritative point of contact for matters that cross EAC organizational lines, and ensures that an integrated approach characterizes all projects that require attention from more than one program area; and provides direction and coordination to the Commission’s senior staff. Qualifications: The ideal incumbent will have experience developing sound policy ideas and their strategic implementation; excellent research, analytical, writing and management skills; strong oral and written communication skills. Strong interpersonal and organizational skills are a must. Individual should possess the ability to present and communicate information effectively to both individuals and large groups. Federal government experience and familiarity with issues impacting Federal elections is preferred. Salary: $115,317-$139,600. Deadline: The position is available immediately, and the Commission intends to fill it as soon as possible. Application: Interested parties should go to www.eac.gov and click on “About the EAC” to find out more about the job and to see the required supplemental questions.
Choice Voting Program Director — FairVote , Washington, D.C. Responsible for building public education, infrastructure and wins for the choice voting method of proportional voting. Choice voting is a form of proportional representation that allows voters to rank candidates in order of preference, allowing like-minded groupings of voters to win legislative seats in better proportion to their share of the population. Whereas winner-take-all elections award 100% of power to a 50.1% majority, choice voting allows voters in a minority to win a fair share of representation. Choice voting is used around the world and was used in major U.S. cities, including New York and Cincinnati, throughout the progressive era and beyond. FairVote hopes to revive and expand this election method today. The primary duties of the will be to harness and cultivate grassroots, organizational, and institutional support for choice voting, with the goal of gaining new implementations and support this election method. Preliminary areas for work may include Cincinnati (OH) and New York (NY). Additionally, the position will involve aiding with existing implementation, research and voter education efforts in places where choice voting is used or pending implementation, such as Cambridge (MA), Minneapolis (MN), and Davis (CA). The program director may also work on building choice voting infrastructure by advancing public interest voting equipment standards, and by creating new opportunities and synergy with instant runoff voting, the Voting Rights Act, and other proportional voting methods. Duties: assist in educating local, state and federal officials; conduct elections research and analysis; draft policy briefs, white papers, and op. ed’s; monitor and digest proportional voting news around the world; blog and create content for website, brochures, and manuals; represent FairVote in local and national coalitions; help craft fundraising proposals; develop grassroots interest in choice voting, through action alerts, meetups, and other e-tools; design effective public education documents and media; supervise junior staff and interns; manage volunteers. Qualifications: FairVote is a change-oriented organization with a young, hard-working staff with strong support from interns and volunteers. Our office is conveniently located in historic Old Town Takoma Park, two blocks from the DC Metro Takoma Station (red line). We seek an applicant eager to work in such an environment, and, ideally, with some of the following skills: Experience working in a nonprofit, political, or policy organization; professional or volunteer experience relating to voting or education; familiarity with proportional voting and ranked choice voting systems; strong public speaking, writing and/or research skills; ability to work well in a team environment, both as employee and supervisor; strong listener, with an attention to detail and ability to self-organize; ability to adapt quickly to changes in the workplace and ask questions when needed; ability to become fluent in complex policy areas and projects quickly; sense of humor and passion for voting reform. Application: Resume, cover letter and writing sample, including two references required to be considered. Please send materials to hr@fairvote.org. Deadline: March 1.
Democracy Fellow — FairVote, Washington, D.C. Provides an opportunity for those with an interest in election reform to work on a substantive project while building valuable skills and networking with others in the field. Fellows will be paired with a FairVote staff member and assigned a project to manage from beginning to end. They will also be exposed to the broader workings of FairVote, ranging from research, communications and advocacy, to building websites and blogging. Fellows will be given opportunities to build their skills and knowledge base both through on-the-job training, as well as potential opportunities to attend workshops and seminars. Graduates of our Democracy Fellowship Program will be well-positioned to pursue employment with democracy organizations and have valuable experience to tout if seeking to enter graduate school. Democracy Fellows will serve full-time, for a six-month term with FairVote, with the potential opportunity to join our staff at the completion of the term. Duties: Assist in lobbying local, state and federal legislators; represent FairVote at coalition meetings; conduct elections research and analysis; draft policy briefs; monitor and digest election news; coordinate coalition communication and activities; blog and create content for website, brochures, and manuals; help prepare fundraising proposals; coordinate volunteers and supervise interns; help organize events and FairVote’s annual democracy conference; develop grassroots interest in reform, through action alerts, meetups, and other e-tools; design effective public education documents; assist with media outreach. Qualifications: We seek an applicant eager to work in such an environment, and, ideally, with some of the following skills: experience or interest working in a nonprofit, political, or policy organization; professional or volunteer experience relating to voting or education; strong public speaking, writing and/or research skills; ability to work well in a team environment, both as employee and supervisor; strong listener, with an attention to detail and ability to self-organize; ability to adapt quickly to changes in the workplace and ask questions when needed; ability to become fluent in new subjects and projects quickly; sense of humor and passion for voting reform. Application: Resume, cover letter and writing sample, including two references required to be considered. In your cover letter, please explain why you want to be a Democracy Fellow and what skills you hope to gain from the experience. Please feel free to express interest in any particular project or issue within FairVote’s mission and work. Please send materials to hr@fairvote.org. Salary: $21,000, along with full health and dental benefits.
Election Administrative Assistant—Anne Arundel County Board of Elections, Annapolis, Md. Lead or advanced level of administrative support work related to a variety of technical or secretarial services in a local election office. Employees working in the technical areas perform administrative functions not involving policy decisions but requiring a thorough knowledge of the specific functions performed. Employees perform a variety of complex secretarial duties requiring a thorough knowledge of election laws, rules and procedures. Employees in this classification do not supervise but may provide training and guidance to Election Clerks and other support staff. Employees receive general supervision from an Election Director, Election Deputy Director or other designated administrative staff and are expected to exercise considerable tact, discretion and judgment in all areas of work. Matters of confidentiality are given close attention by the supervisor. The work may require travel to schools, nursing homes or other facilities to register voters or provide related services. Employees may be required to work evenings and weekends, particularly prior to and following an election. Qualifications: Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate; two years of experience applying election laws, rules and procedures in a local board of election office; specialized clerical experience may substitute for the required experience applying election laws, rules and procedures in a local election office at the rate of one year for each six months of the required election office experience. Specialized clerical experience is defined as work in an office, which requires reviewing, verifying and interpreting information in order to make determinations and resolve work problems in accordance with policies, regulations, guidelines and procedures; general clerical experience may substitute for the required experience applying election laws, rules and procedures in a local election office at the rate of two years for each six months of the required election office experience. General clerical experience is defined as work performing a variety of clerical duties, which are clear-cut and typically found in office settings, such as filing, copying, posting data and directing telephone calls; college courses from an accredited college or university may be substituted for the required experience at the rate of 30 credit hours for one year of experience; additional experience applying election laws, rules and procedures in a local election office may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis. Salary: $27,876 – $43,647. Application: Applications and application supplements may be obtained by visiting our Web site at: www.dbm.maryland.gov; by writing to DBM, OPSB, Recruitment & Examination Division, 301 W. Preston Street Baltimore, Maryland 21201; or by calling 410-767-4850, toll-free: 800-705-3493; TTY users call Maryland Relay Service, 800-735-2258. Deadline: Feb. 29, 2008
Election Administrative Assistant—Anne Arundel County Board of Elections, Annapolis, Md. Is the full performance level of administrative support work related to a variety of technical or secretarial services in a local election office. Employees working in the technical areas perform administrative functions not involving policy decisions but requiring a thorough knowledge of the specific functions performed. Employees perform a variety of complex secretarial duties requiring a thorough knowledge of election laws, rules and procedures. Employees in this classification do not supervise but may provide training and guidance to Election Clerks and other support staff. Employees receive general supervision from an Election Director, Election Deputy Director or other designated administrative staff and are expected to exercise considerable tact, discretion and judgment in all areas of work. Matters of confidentiality are given close attention by the supervisor. The work may require travel to schools, nursing homes or other facilities to register voters or provide related services. Employees may be required to work evenings and weekends, particularly prior to and following an election. Qualifications: Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of high school equivalency; one year of experience applying election laws, rules and procedures in local board of election office; Specialized clerical experience may substitute for the required experience applying election laws, rules and procedures in a local election office at the rate of one year for each six months of the required election office experience. Specialized clerical experience is defined as work in an office, which requires reviewing, verifying and interpreting information in order to make determinations and resolve work problems in accordance with policies, regulations, guidelines and procedures; general clerical experience may substitute for the required experience applying election laws, rules and procedures in a local election office at the rate of two years for each six months of the required election office experience. General clerical experience is defined as work performing a variety of clerical duties, which are clear-cut and typically found in office settings, such as filing, copying, posting data and directing telephone calls; additional experience applying election laws, rules and procedures in a local election office may be substituted for the required. Salary: $26,257 – $40,996. Application: Applications may be obtained by visiting our website at: www.dbm.maryland.gov; by writing to DBM, OPSB, Recruitment & Examination Division, 301 W. Preston Street Baltimore, Maryland 21201; or by calling 410-767-4850, toll-free: 800-705-3493; TTY users call Maryland Relay Service, 800-735-2258. Deadline: Feb. 29, 2008