electionline Weekly

Primary Updates

II. Primary Updates

Georgia
While the 2016 primary season isn’t quite over yet, Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp is already looking ahead to 2020 and is advocating that Georgia and other states stick with the SEC Primary that happened this year on March 1.

Maryland
Candidate and former Mayor Sheila Dixon chose not to seek a recount in the April primary in Baltimore. Dixon lost by about 2,400 votes. The state, which decertified the primary for a review found that about 1,188 provisional ballots were improperly counted. The state has since recertified the election.

“While the city Board of Elections has re-certified the election results and I have decided not to seek a recount, the questions surrounding this election must be answered,” Dixon said in a statement to The Baltimore Sun. “The irregularities in this election are not acceptable. This process is not over until we can assure every Baltimore citizen that their vote will be counted, not just in this election, but in future elections as well.”

North Carolina
The North Carolina State Board of Elections has ruled that 892 provisional ballots cast during the March 15 primary in Durham County may be recast by mail. According to The Associated Press, the decision by the SBOE came out of an investigation into discrepancies in the primaries that found the state only had physical copies for 980 provisional ballots, despite having approved or partially approved 1,039 provisionals. The new ballots will be sent after the June 7 Congressional primary.

Oregon
The Oregon Secretary of State’s office released information this week about the impact automatic voter registration had on the state’s May primary.

According to the most recent analysis by the state Elections Division, 8,135 votes were cast by Oregonians who were registered through the Oregon Motor Voter (OMV) program. With 43,571 eligible OMV voters, this means 18.7 percent of the OMV-registered voters who were eligible to vote on May 17th (registered by April 26th) participated in the primary election. 

“It’s important to keep in mind that the population of voters registered through Oregon Motor Voter made up about two percent of the electorate in the recent primary election,” Secretary of State Jeanne P. Atkins said in a statement. “This is a very small number in an election that saw the largest number of primary voters in Oregon’s history. We have made some interesting observations on this population, but these numbers are only the first glimpse of how Oregon Motor Voter might result in more participation.  We look forward to doing more analysis after the November General Election and in the years ahead.”

Other analysis shows that voters who chose to register with a political party voted at higher rates than did nonaffiliated voters. Nonaffiliated voters who registered through OMV voted at a rate of about 6 percent whereas nonaffiliated voters who registered through other means voted at a rate of about 22 percent.

“This election gave us our first metric to assess participation by new OMV voters – but it will take a number of election cycles for the exact effects of the program to be analyzed. I think we can say: so far, so good. But we have a lot to learn over the next several election cycles as this pioneering program becomes the norm for voter registration in Oregon,” said Atkins. 

Election News This Week

III. Election News This Week

• Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections Deborah Clark is hoping to avoid some of the confusion voters saw in the March presidential preference primary by including information on new voter cards that reminds voters that Florida is a closed primary state. Clark’s office will mail 623,000 voter cards during the next few weeks in an effort to notify voters before the Aug. 1 deadline to change parties.
• Secretary of State Steve Simon announced this week that Minnesota would allow Veteran ID cards as an acceptable form of identification — combined with authorized proof-of-residence — for same-day registration.
• According to a new poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, many Americans are not happy with the way the presidential candidates are chosen and have little faith in the fairness of either party system. According to the survey, the public prefers open primaries to those that are closed to all but party members. They like primaries instead of caucuses, and they oppose the party insiders known as superdelegates, who have a substantial say in the Democratic race.
• The Cookeville, Tennessee History Museum has debuted a new exhibit—My Vote is Power! An Exhibit for Kids — that aims to give those too young to vote a hands-on experience with the voting process and being a citizen. “Politics can get kind of heavy, but we want this to be fun and hands-on for the kids,” Ashley McKee, education specialist, told the Herald-Citizen. The exhibit will allow students to cast a ballot, dress up as famous presidents and first ladies, design their own political posters and spend some time in the reading nook. “Kids will have an opportunity to cast their vote, design a poster, enjoy some quite time in our reading nook, become a historic or patriotic figure in the dress-up area and have fun with our light-hearted introduction to the election process,” Museums Manager Beth Thompson told the paper.
• Personnel News: Hays County, Texas Elections Administrator Joyce Cowan has announced that she will retire at the end of 2016 after more 30 years on the job.

And Sean Greene is leaving the Pew Charitable Trusts Elections Initiatives to join the U.S. Election Assistance Commission beginning June 13. “Sean has been an invaluable part of the Pew elections team since before there was a Pew elections team! He’s irreplaceable, but our loss is the EAC’s gain,” said David Becker, director, election initiatives. “And I know we’ll all continue to benefit from his insight in his important new role.”

Research and Report Summaries

IV. Research and Report Summaries
electionline provides brief summaries of recent research and reports in the field of election administration. The summaries are courtesy of the research staff of The Pew Charitable Trusts Elections Initiatives.

Contemporary Voting Rights Controversies Through the Lens of Disability – Rabia Belt, Stanford Law School, May 16, 2016: This article examines the continuing problems people with disabilities face in the voting process and notes that in working to solve problems faced by these voters, this will help improve the process for all voters.  

Investing in California’s Democracy: Building a Partnership for Performance – Caitlin Maple, California Forward, May 2016: A new analysis finds that California could be better served if the way election administration is paid for in the state is changed, moving from the current “mandate reimbursement” process to a system where the state contributes for costs associated with the election of state officials and statewide ballot measures.

Legislative Updates

V. Legislative Updates

Florida: U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson has introduced the “No One Can Take Away Your Right To Vote Act” in Congress that would restore voting rights to more than a million Floridians. Under the legislations, ex-felons would have their voting rights restored upon completion of their sentence. Currently, Florida is one of only three states where convicted felons lose their voting rights forever unless it’s restored by the state.

Illinois:  Illinois is poised to become the sixth state to enact automatic voter registration after the state’s General Assembly approved the legislation. The House voted 86-30 this week to send the bill to Gov. Bruce Rauner’s desk. According to The Associated Press, Rauner has expressed support of the legislation. People visiting the Department on Aging or the departments of Human Services, Healthcare and Family Services, Employment Security and the Secretary of State’s office (for drivers’ licenses) could register.

Also in Illinois, the General Assembly approved legislation that will allow 17-year-olds who turn 18 by the time of the general election to vote in future primaries. In addition to voting, those 17-year-olds will also be able to serve voter registrars, sign candidates’ nominating petitions and circulate petitions as well. It will also allow 17-year-olds to vote in consolidated primary elections.

Louisiana: The House Education Committee has approved a bill that would allow university students to use the state-issued college ID in order to vote. The bill would go into effect in 2019. The bill has the support of the secretary of state’s office and all the four-year public universities in the state.

In other news, the state has repealed a 142-year-old law that required naturalized citizens to provide proof of citizenship when registering to vote. The state was facing a lawsuit over the requirement. Secretary of State Tom Schedler supports the lifting of the law. “Saving taxpayers’ money by avoiding a needless lawsuit was common sense,” Schedler told The Associated Press. “My office has already begun the process of communicating with our registrars of voters statewide to make sure they are informed immediately of the change in the law.”

New Jersey: With a 52-21-1 vote, the Assembly approved A-1944 that would require the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission to automatically register or update a person’s voter registration as part of the process of apply for or renewing a driver’s license. According to the Bergen Dispatch, the bill that provides that the MVC would automatically register to vote any person who applies for a special learner’s permit, an examination permit, a probationary driver’s license, a basic driver’s license, or a non-driver identification card, or for renewal of any license or identification card, according to the permanent address provided by the applicant, unless the applicant specifically declines the automatic voter registration. 

Also in New Jersey, A-3591, the “New Voter Empowerment Act,” which would allow 17-year-olds to vote in a primary election if they turn 18 by the general election was approved by the Assembly.

Ohio: Legislation that would set a process for state courts to follow when considering whether to grant last-minute extension of voting hours—including a cash bond from the requestor—has been approved by the Legislature and is on the desk of Gov. John Kasich (R). According to the Toledo Blade, a spokesman for Gov. Kasich said he plans to review the bill.

Legal Updates

VI. Legal Updates

Florida: A 2014 ballot measure—which earned 71 percent approval—that made races for sheriff, tax collector and four other constitutional offices in Orange County nonpartisan was overturned by Circuit Judge Keith White who said the county had no authority to determine how constitutional officers are elected.

New Jersey: The Woodlands Condominium Association in Mays Landing has hosted a polling place for about 24 years and now they no longer want to, citing liability concerns, but the Atlantic County wants them to continue to do so. Judge Mark H. Sandson sided with the condominium association saying that the government cannot force a private property owner to provide a polling place.

Ohio: A woman from East Liverpool has been indicted on 35 counts of felony voter fraud — 32 counts of false voter registration and three counts of false signatures.

Also in Ohio, the secretary of state and attorney general have asked a federal court to stay an order to reinstate early voting days in Ohio. Both offices have asked the court to postpone the implementation of the order while they appeal to the Federal Appeals Court and at the very least until after the Aug. 2nd special election in Columbus.

Oregon: A 12-person jury has found that former Clatsop County Clerk Maeve Kennedy Grimes was improperly fired following the 2014 general election. She was awarded $400,000 in damages.

Virginia: The plaintiffs in Virginia’s voter ID lawsuit have filed a notice to of appeal with the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals based in Richmond. The plaintiffs — Democrats — have asked for an expedited review.

The Virginia Supreme Court will hold a special session on July 19 to consider a lawsuit filed by state GOP leaders challenging Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s executive order that restored the voting rights to more than 200,000 ex-felons.

Wisconsin: Wisconsin’s voter ID trial wrapped up last week and although a verdict is expected sometime in July, Judge James Patterson said his decision will come too close to the August 9 primary so the ID law will remain in place for that election at least.

Tech Thursday

VII. Tech Thursday

New Mexico: Bernalillo County has launched a new mobile app call My Voter Information that will hopefully help speed things up on primary day by pointing voters in the direction of the closest voting center to their location. The app will sort polling places by distance, provide a picture of the front of the polling place and offer details about parking.

Opinions This Week

VIII. Opinions This Week

National Opinions: Voting holiday | Voter suppression | Automatic voter registration, II | Voting system

Arizona: Secretary of state, II, III | Ballot harvesting

California: Ballot measures | Voting system | Simplifying voting | Felon voting rights

Georgia: Poll workers

Kansas: Suspended voters

Kentucky: Recanvass

Maine: Ranked choice voting

Maryland: Early voting | Baltimore primary

Michigan: Straight-ticket voting

Minnesota: Ranked choice voting | Primary, II | Vote-by-mail

Missouri: Primary system

New Jersey: Automatic voter registration, II

New Mexico: Secretary of state race

New York: Voter registration

North Carolina: Wake County

Ohio: Early voting, II | Voting rights | Election laws

Pennsylvania: Voting booths

South Carolina: Voter fraud

Texas: Voter ID, II, III

Vermont: Voting system

Virginia: Ex-felon voting rights | Voter ID

Wisconsin: Voter ID

Upcoming Events

IX. Upcoming Events
Election Law Continuing Legal Education — The International Association of Clerks, Recorders, Election Officials and Treasurers (IACREOT), the National Association of County Recorders, Election Officials and Clerks (NACRC), and the Bipartisan Policy Center will host subject matter experts from federal, state and local government, elections activists, and private practice attorneys. Tentative session topics include: Hot Topics in Access and Integrity; UOCAVA Voters: Legal Trends; Preparing for Voting Equipment Issues and General Election; PCEA, Election Day and the Law; Legal Issues in Considering Automated Voter Registration; and Recounts and Contests: How to Prepare/What to Expect. When: June 25. Where: Memphis, Tennessee. For more information and to register, click here.

NACRC/IACREOT Annual Conference — the 2016 annual conference—the last to be held under the NACRC/IACREOT banner will feature plenary sessions, a trade show, committee and board meeting, awards breakfast, annual banquet and a ballgame. When: June 25-30. Where: Memphis, Tennessee. For more information and to register, click here.

National Association of Secretaries of State Summer Conference — NASS will hold its annual summer meeting in Nashville this year. Agenda programming will include: policy discussions on important issues facing secretaries of state, idea-sharing panels highlighting best practices in state programming, sessions designed for professional development and networking, induction of national officers for the 2016-2017 cycle and excursions to explore Tennessee and learn more about the culture and state government.  When: July 14-17. Where: Nashville, Tennessee. For more information and to register, click here.

National Association of State Election Directors Summer Conference — the 2016 NASED summer conference will be held in Nashville, Tennessee. Details about the event are still being hammered out, so be sure to check the website often. When: July 14-17. Where: Nashville, Tennessee. For more information, click here.

National Association of Counties Annual Conference — NACo’s Annual Conference and Exposition provides an opportunity for all county leaders and staff to learn, network and guide the direction of the association. The 2016 Annual Conference is hosted by Los Angeles County. The conference will be held at the Long Beach Convention Center. Attending the Annual Conference provides member county officials with the opportunity to vote on NACo’s policies related to federal legislation and regulation; elect officers; network with colleagues; learn about innovative county programs; learn more about issues impacting counties across the country; and view products and services from participating companies and exhibitors.​ When: July 22-25. Where: Long Beach, California. For more information and to register, click here.

National Conference of State Legislators Summer Meeting — the 2016 Legislative Summit will be held in Chicago. The elections portion will include: Politics 2016: State Election Preview, Evaluating Elections, What to Do If You’ve Got a Disputed Election, Technology: Improving Elections One Bit or Byte at a Time? And Helping our Military Vote.  When: Aug. 8-11. Where: Chicago. For more information and to register, click here.

Election Center Annual Conference — Conference attendees will be inspired and energized as we head into the nal stretch of the Presidential Election year. We will share substantive elections issues including crucial information from federal agencies to local election of cials sharing practical information for day to day election administration operations. This is the also the time to honor and celebrate the winners of the Election Center’s acclaimed Professional Practices Papers’ Program. You will not only hear the winning presentations but you will take home all of the innovative programs and ideas that were submitted by your colleagues in other jurisdictions around the country. When: Aug. 16-20. Where: Philadelphia. For more information and to register, click here.

Job Postings This Week

X. Job Postings This Week
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 tommoretti@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.

Customer Relations Manager, Dominion Voting Systems, San Leandro, California — Dominion Voting Systems is seeking a highly motivated and enthusiastic, Customer Relations Manager, to be based in our San Leandro, California office! This position will be responsible for supporting customers by partnering with the sales and operations teams to exceed customer needs and requirements; addressing and resolving customer concerns; and, identifying ways to implement preventive measures for continuous process improvement. Salary: Negotiable base + bonus target & benefits. Deadline: Open until filled. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.

Customer Relations Manager, New Jersey (Remote) — Dominion Voting Systems is seeking a highly motivated and enthusiastic Customer Relations Manager to work remotely and be based in New Jersey! This position will be responsible for supporting customers by partnering with the sales and operations teams to exceed customer needs and requirements; address and resolve customer concerns; and, identify ways to implement preventive measures for continuous process improvement. Salary: Negotiable base + bonus target & benefits. Deadline: Open until filled. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.

Deputy Registrar, Manassas, Virginia — conducts local, state and federal elections and performs the duties of the  General Registrar in his or her absence. Executes and supervises the recruitment, appointment, oaths, official policies, training and payroll of election officials who work the polls. Processes voter registration applications and administers absentee voting both in person and by mail, email, and fax. Creates Voter Photo IDs; programs electronic poll books for precinct use and trains election officials on their operation. Produces reports and statistics as assigned; creates official advertisements for upcoming elections and registration deadlines; prepares City election results for news media and the public. Assists the General Registrar and Electoral Board in ascertaining election results. Salary: $55,574. Deadline: Open until filled. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.

Product Specialist, Denver, Colorado — Dominion Voting Systems is seeking a tech-savvy and passionate, Product Specialist, to be based in our downtown Denver, Colorado office. This role is responsible for responsible for the installation, operation, repair, and maintenance of all Dominion Voting Systems elections products; providing elections support services and customer training; and interfacing directly with customers, co-workers and election officials.. Salary: Negotiable base + bonus target & benefits. Deadline: Open until filled. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.

Program Officer, Civic Engagement and Government, Ford Foundation —program Officer will particularly inform work on expanding democratic participation—promoting increased and greater representation in elections and shape agendas to reflect the public interest. In collaboration with the Director and team members, the Program Officer will develop a body of work primarily focused on promoting voting rights and other aspects of inclusive non-partisan democratic practice in the United States, that address underlying structural drivers and rules of the game, and seek longer term, more durable change (rather than tactical gains in particular electoral cycles). Opportunities to be addressed may include promoting government’s role in registering voters, strategic litigation, increasing participation and debate in primaries, and developing pathways that connect voting with issues that people care about. The Program Officer will also contribute to CEG efforts that seek to democratize the role of money in politics; and develop, test and demonstrate models of powerful civic engagement with government that build strategic civic capability, achieve policy outcomes, help make government more responsive, and over time contribute to increased trust in government. The Program Officer will work under the direct supervision of the Director of Civic Engagement and Government, and be part of the CEG team. The Program Officer will assess the CEG field, identify key ecosystems and work with various actors and other funders to analyze challenges and opportunities, seek rigorous evidence about program effectiveness, identify levers of change, and play a leading role in shaping specific grant activities. The Program Officer will share substantive knowledge with Foundation colleagues; collaborate broadly across CEG and other thematic areas; serve as a ‘connector’ of grantees, promote thoughtful learning; and work with practitioners, government officials, scholars, NGOs, other donors and corporate sector leaders on issue of common concern to leverage positive impact toward common goals. Deadline: July 8. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.

Project Manager, Hart InterCivic — project manager plans, directs, and coordinates project activities to ensure that project goals are completed efficiently and on schedule.  As a member of the Professional Services Team, the Project Manager works with other team members to manage delivery of the full scope of Hart Voting System implementation and support services.  The Project Manager is responsible for ensuring that project goals and deliverables are met, and is directly accountable for the success or failure of projects he or she manages. Deadline: Open until filled. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.

Proposal Writer, Clear Ballot, Boston— newly created proposal writer position will be part of a dedicated team producing competitive responses to State and County government RFPs. Responsibilities and Tasks: Write engaging content about technical subjects; format final documents using the company style sheet; collaborate with a team of subject matter experts; edit proposal drafts; respond to deadlines and move quickly; contribute to a database of response text, figures and technical descriptions and benefit from professional growth opportunities. Deadline: Open until filled. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.

RMA Support Consultant, Hart InterCivic — an RMA Support Consultant responds to all return material authorization requests from Hart InterCivic internal and external customers for all Hart Voting System products. The person in this position must possess the ability to communicate effectively with customers, suppliers, or employees. Essential responsibilities include: Acquires a functional level of knowledge for all Hart InterCivic products and their modules; manages and organizes information and documentation for customer issues; applies advanced knowledge of computer software tools to problem-solving situations; knowledge of standard ticket tracking software is a must; in-depth knowledge of standard inventory warehouse processes and procedures; stays informed on support methodologies; keeps up with revisions to any relevant materials (Agile ECOs and effectivity); works cooperatively with Hart InterCivic field personnel to insure customer satisfaction; complies with, and keeps up with changes in, Hart InterCivic policies, procedures and regulations; other duties as assigned. Deadline: Opening until filled. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.

Senior Assistant Registrar, Alexandria, Virginia — is a sworn election official who is the main gate-keeper for all Voter Registration transactions in Alexandria. Incumbent allocates work to Assistant Registrars I, II and III and leads the effort to make certain all work is completed accurately and in time to meet code-mandated (pre-election) registration deadlines. Annual responsibility for managing 70,000 to 150,000 of these transactions, and securing over 100,000 voter registration applications from Alexandria City citizens. Must also be able to provide excellent customer service (by phone, by e-mail and in-person) to voters with simple as well as complex voter registration questions. Salary: $38,277-$48,428. Deadline: June 8. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.

Senior Assistant Registrar, Albemarle County, Virginia — the Senior Assistant Registrar performs complex technical and clerical work in the Department of Voter Registration and Elections. Work is performed under general supervision with latitude for independent judgment. Supervision is exercised over subordinate clerical personnel or Assistant Registrars. Essential functions include, but are not limited to: manages complex and extensive physical and computerized voter registration and election records; supervises Assistant Registrars; processes information on computerized registration system and physical files; interacts regularly with staff from other Virginia localities regarding voter issues; designs and develops materials designed to increase efficient election day operations; provides project development support to Electoral Board, as needed; coordinates and executes special projects for department, as assigned; determines eligibility of voter registration applicants, in accordance with law; prepares official letters of Denial of Voter registration, as necessary; assists with maintenance of departmental website; verifies eligibility and assists voters in casting absentee ballots; provides materials and support to area agencies regarding absentee voting; provides information to the general public concerning voter registration and election related issues; actively participates in professional organization; acts for the Deputy and General Registrar in their absence; and performs other duties, as assigned. Salary: $33,641-$40,360. Deadline: Open until filled. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.

Software Developer II, Denver, Colorado & Toronto, Ontario — Dominion Voting Systems is seeking a highly technical and passionate Software Developer II to be based in either our downtown Denver office or our downtown Toronto office! This position will be responsible for providing high-level technical expertise to design development, coding, testing and debugging of new voting system software and/or significant enhancements to existing software for our customers. This position will work on a team utilizing an Agile development environment. Salary: Negotiable base + bonus target & benefits. Deadline: Open until filled. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.

System Support Specialist, Denver, Colorado — Dominion Voting Systems is seeking a tech-savvy and detail oriented, Network & Systems Specialist, to be based in our downtown Denver, Colorado office. This role is responsible for assisting with the deployment and troubleshooting of advanced elections hardware and software system configurations; providing support to the logistics associated with procuring elections systems and equipment; performing tests and evaluations of various voting solutions; and providing election support to customers both remotely and/or on-site. Salary: Negotiable base + bonus target & benefits. Deadline: Open until filled. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.

Technical Writer, Clear Ballot, Boston — our small and growing team of technical communicators has an immediate need for a new member with intermediate-to-senior experience. Documentation is key to success in the election systems domain. Deliverables include tasks and supporting information, and, highly scrutinized specifications and plans. All products and their documentation are certified by federal or state agencies; evaluation is performed by demanding government laboratories. Once products are certified, documentation supports the work of users under pressure whose skills range the technical spectrum. Key Responsibilities: Work collaboratively with fellow communicators and the Engineering, Quality Assurance, Technical Support, Compliance/Certification, Business Development, and Executive Management functions; develop deep understanding of the federal regulations governing voting systems, and, the ability to interpret issues raised by delegated federal and state reviewers in partnership with Compliance/Certification; meet governmental standards and write appropriately for target audiences:  voters, poll workers, election officials and their technical staff, and voting system test laboratories; quickly grasp complex technical concepts and make them easily understandable through prose and graphics; deal gracefully with multitasking and constant change; create and modify single-sourced, conditionalized, reusable content in MadCap Flare; adhere and contribute to working styles and standards, information architecture, and documentation production process; and respond to documentation tickets. Deadline: Open until filled. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.

Marketplace

XI. Marketplace
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