electionline Weekly

Election Security Updates

Led by Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, 22 Democratic state attorneys general sent a letter to the leaders from each party of the Senate Appropriations Committee and the Senate Rules Committee demanding that they work together to bolster election security in the states.

“Our state and local election officials are on the front-lines of the fight to protect our election infrastructure, but they lack the resources necessary to combat a sophisticated foreign adversary like Russia,” they wrote according to The Hill.

According to The Hill, the letter also asked that Congress “support the establishment of cybersecurity and audit standards for election systems,” and argued that the federal government needs to keep state election officials informed about suspected breaches and other security intelligence.

The war of words over election security legislation continued this week when Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-New York) called out Senate Majority Leader Mitch Mc Connell (R-Kentucky) for his failure to move any of the legislation forward.

“The Republican Senate, Leader McConnell just stands there and twiddles their thumbs and almost says, ‘Come on Putin, let it happen,’” said Schumer, who added that any leader in Congress who doesn’t work to protect the nation’s elections is “abdicating their responsibilities to our grand democracy.”

Schumer said that Democrats have a three-pronged strategy to get the legislation moving:

• Press McConnell to allow debate on legislation that’s been introduced by holding standalone votes on those bills;
• Press McConnell to allow votes on amendments for the 2020 defense policy bill; and
• Push for election security funding as part of negotiations for a two-year deal to life spending ceilings.

Election News This Week

Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson (D) and Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose (R) are joining forces in a quest for civility. The freshman secretaries will work with the National Institute for Civil Discourse and co-chair a civility task force. At the upcoming National Association of Secretaries of State meeting they plan to invite other secretaries to join them. “Civility is not just about being nicer to each other. That’s part of it,” LaRose said according to The Columbus Dispatch. “But it’s about creating the opportunity to govern. … We want to lead the way and we want to encourage our fellow secretaries of state to lead the way in speaking out against misinformation and some of the partisan hyperbole around elections administration.” Secretaries of state who sign on to the task force will be able to decide how they pursue civility in their own state, but LaRose said he has some ideas, including offering reporters a chance to watch a mock election to better understand election security and running “mythbusting” operations that seek to dispel inaccurate claims about elections. “My hope is we can rise above the level of discourse our politics has oftentimes has sunk to and at the moment of this uniquely contentious presidential election cycle lead the way to collaboration and restoring the public’s faith in democracy,” Benson said according to the paper. No word yet though on whether the civility will be put aside for just a few hours on Nov. 30 when the Buckeyes take on the Wolverines on the gridiron.

It seems like just about every year in electionline Weekly’s annual In & Out list we make a joke about lever voting machines finally being out. Well, this year may finally be the last year we can make that joke because the town of Middletown, Connecticut has retired its last working lever voting machine. “The people who invented those must have been brilliant,” Bobby Russo who used to service the city’s lever-voting machines said to the Middletown Press. Like many of his generation, Russo looks fondly on the lever-voting machine days. “When they voted, and heard the bell go off, you would hear that ‘Bing!’ And they knew that they voted,” Russo said.

It is estimated that approximately 300,000 women in Utah who are eligible to voter aren’t registered. In recognition of the centennial celebration of Suffrage and the 150th anniversary of suffrage in Utah, the Utah League of Women Voters and Voterise have partnered together in effort to get 20,000 more women registered before the November 2020 election. The groups plan to recruit 1,000 ambassadors and train them in voter registration techniques.

Well this is certainly going to be featured in a future “Polling Place Profile” in electionline Weekly. The Barton County, Kansas commission recently approved to pave the parking lot at the Sheriff’s Firing Range so the building may be used as a polling place. When discussing the project, Commission Chairwoman Jennifer Schwartz confirmed that the firing range would not be used during voting times. And during the time of voting it would not be used as a firing range,” Commission Chairwoman Jennifer Schartz commented. “Exactly right,” County Clerk Donna Zimmerman said according to the Great Bend Tribune.

It’s not the heat, it’s the humidity! Or in the case of a polling place, in August, in Meridian, Mississippi it will be both if something isn’t done to fix the site’s air conditioning. “My poll workers almost had a heat stroke [in 2018],” said Election Commission Gloria Dancy. “It’s an emergency. That’s the reason I’m here today. I can’t ask these people to go in that building in August.” Supervisor Joe Norwood acknowledged the problem. “We have to do whatever we have to do — whether it’s moving in portable air conditioners (or) something of that nature, we’re going to make it happen.”

A hearty get well to Ionia County, Michigan Clerk Janae Cooper who broke her leg while riding a motorcycle.

Personnel News: Linda Lindberg, Arlington County, Virginia registrar since 2003 and with the office since 1994 is retiring. Maryanne Capasso is the new Lakehurst, New Jersey city clerk. Paul Lopez was officially declared the winner and is the new Denver clerk and recorder. Montana Secretary of State Corey Stapleton has announced that instead of running for governor he will instead run for the U.S. House. Delaware Gov. John Carney has recommended New Castle County Elections Director Anthony Albence to take over as the state election commissioner following the retirement of Commissioner Elaine Manlove. Washington County, Indiana Clerk Sarah Milligan has resigned.

Research and Report Summaries

The Congressional Research Service (CRS) released a report and accompanying “in-focus” brief on the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) last week. The report, The U.S. Election Assistance Commission: Overview and Selected Issues for Congress, provides an overview of the EAC’s duties, structure, and funding over time, as well as a brief history of the agency. The report further summarizes recent relevant legislative activity, including proposals to terminate the agency, expand its authority, and change the way it works, teeing up issues for the current Congress to consider.

CRS is a part of the Library of Congress, providing legislative research and analysis for congressional committees and Members of Congress. In September 2018, CRS began making its reports available to the public online.

The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights released a briefing report last week on collateral consequences imposed on persons with criminal convictions. The report, Collateral Consequences: The Crossroads of Punishment, Redemption, and the Effects on Communities, includes a chapter on voting and civic participation. The chapter explores policy variation on voting rights restoration among the states, estimates of those disenfranchised today and in recent years, the history of felony disenfranchisement in the country, arguments for and against the practice, and legal challenges.

The report’s recommendations relevant to election administration and policy include:

• The United States Department of Justice should issue guidance sharing best practices related to collateral consequences of criminal convictions, clarifying at minimum the following points:

1. 1. States should consider restoration of the right to vote to all people who have been released from incarceration or are on probation/parole and are currently disenfranchised because of criminal convictions. Denying the right to vote does not serve the public safety or interest.
   2. States should notify people disenfranchised because of a criminal conviction when their right to vote is or can be restored, if restored automatically when that occurs, or what steps they must undertake to restore their right to vote. In states where the right to vote is restored upon release from incarceration or completion of supervision, an opportunity to register to vote and assistance to complete the process should be included as part of the completion of the exit process from prison, parole, or probation.

(Research and Report Summaries are written by David Kuennen.)

Legislative Updates

Louisiana: The Associated Press reports this week that what little money lawmakers had put aside to purchase new statewide voting equipment has been reshuffled and moved elsewhere in what the AP called “an election-year legislative scramble to boost spending on education, public safety and health care.” Lawmakers previously had put $2 million in state financing into a voting technology fund, as a down payment on a machine replacement expected to cost tens of millions of dollars, now even that money is gone. Work will begin anew in 2020 to find the funding.

Maine: Gov. Janet Mills has signed a bill into law that will allow for automatic voter registration. Maine will automatically register voters who do business with the Bureau of Motor Vehicles by 2022 under the bill, which has a one-time cost of $140,000 in federal funds.

Also in Maine, this week the House joined the Senate in approving a bill that would allow the state to expand the use of ranked choice voting to presidential primary and general elections.

Massachusetts: By an 11-2 vote, the Springfield City Council approved an ordinance that, if funded, would mean that postcards will be sent to all Springfield voters ahead of municipal elections to remind them of the upcoming election. Under the ordinance, registered voters will receive a city notice no later than 20 days prior to a municipal election that will include the date of the election, the polling location of the household, and the elective offices that will appear on the ballot. However, Mayor Domenic J. Sarno has vetoed the ordinance comparing to public campaign financing.

Nevada: Gov. Steve Sisolak has signed AB345 into law. The bill will implement same-day voter registration and allow counties to move to a vote center system if they choose to. The bill also moves forward automatic voter registration, which was approved by voters in 2018.

New Mexico: The Albuquerque city council has rejected a bill to amend a city ordinance to allow for the implementation of ranked choice voting. The vote was 5-4. That being said, voters will be asked in November if they want to move the city to a ranked choice system beginning in 2021.

New York: The Senate has approved a bill that would allow for automatic voter registration. The bill would make voter registration an “opt-out” option when interacting with state agencies and the Department of Motor Vehicles. The bill next moves to the full Assembly.

Oregon: Senate Bill 861 is on its way to the full Ways and Means Committee after a subcommittee approved it this week. Under the bill, the state would provide postage-paid return envelopes for all ballots.

Pennsylvania: The State Government Committee has advanced Senate Bill 422 that would create an election law advisory board that would identify statutory language that can be repealed or modified collaborating with agencies and political subdivisions to study election-related issues, studying new election technology, evaluating the electoral process, identifying best practices to ensure voting integrity and efficiency, publishing an annual report on the Pennsylvania Department of State’s website.

West Virginia: Although automatic voter registration was approved several years ago, there was never any money in place to implement it. Now the Legislature, by an 87-9 vote has approved Senate Bill 1015 that gives the secretary of state’s office authority to spend $1.5 million for technology improvements that will allow for AVR.

Legal Updates

Kansas: The ACLU of Kansas has filed a federal lawsuit challenging the state’s 250-foot buffer zone that bans electioneering near polling places during elections. The suit calls the ban unconstitutional.

Massachusetts: U.S. Magistrate Judge Donald Cabell approved a consent decree on a voting rights settlement reached last week that provided options to the city’s current electoral system for the city council and school committee.

Louisiana: Delores “Dee” Handy, 68 of Crowley has been accused by the state attorney general’s office of failing to “mark a ballot in the manner dictated by the when assisting” on two separate occasions.

New Hampshire: The Attorney General’s Office has cleared a mother being investigated for voter fraud because she helped her son with disabilities cast his ballot in 2016.

Also in New Hampshire,  Charles Cartier, Jr., 80, has been charged with knowingly casting ballots in both New Hampshire and in Massachusetts in 2016.

New York: By a 4-3 vote, the New York Court of Appeals has ruled that electronic images of ballots cast should not be accessible to the public through the state’s open record law.

Virginia: The Supreme Court ruled this week that Virginia’s House of Delegates — which has a Republican majority — lacks standing in a gerrymandering case that ruled voting districts in the state were drawn on racial motivations, and that remapping districts is constitutional.

Tech Thursday

Rhode Island: Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea recently announced that a contract has been awarded to Stonewall Solutions to build a new central voter registration system for the state. The current system was designed in 2005. The new system will cost about $520,000 to build and $60,000 to maintain.  

Opinions This Week

National Opinions: Election security, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII

California: Ranked choice voting

District of Columbia: Felon enfranchisement

Florida: Ex-felon voting rights

Hawaii: Vote by mail

Illinois: Voter registration centers

Louisiana: Election security

Nevada: Election security

New Mexico: Local election act

New York: Ballot lawsuit | Automatic voter registration

North Carolina: Election security, II

Ohio: Election security

Pennsylvania: Election security | Equipment costs | Election reform

Texas: Election dates

Virginia: Election security

Washington: Election security

Wisconsin: Early voting

Upcoming Events

Common Data Formats for Election Systems Webinar — We’ve been talking about common data formats for years, but what are they really? We will discuss the history of their development, benefits and potential use cases. We’ll also provide resources for implementation and how to get started. When: June 21, 12:30 EDT. Where: Online

U.S. Election Assistance Election Data Summit — The U.S. Election Assistance Commission invites you to attend the 2019 Election Data Summit. The event coincides with the release of the 2018 Election Administration and Voting Survey (EAVS) and will feature expert speakers examining how to use data to help America vote. The day’s keynote speakers and panel discussions will include a look at data within the newly released biennial EAVS survey, as well as broader panel conversations covering issues such as how data can be used to address election security, improve voter registration, modernize election management systems, and enact best practices for serving voters covered under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting (UOCAVA) Act. Attendees are strongly encouraged to register in advance and arrive on time in order to guarantee entry. The EAC will accommodate as many registrants as possible, but due to strict room occupancy limits, preregistration may not necessarily guarantee entry if the room is at capacity. This event will also be livestreamed at www.eac.gov. When: June 27, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Where: Russel Senate Office Building; Room 301

National Association of Secretaries Of State — The National Association of Secretaries of State will hold their annual summer conference in late June, early July in New Mexico. Watch this space for more details about agendas and registrations. When: June 30-July 3. Where: Santa Fe, New Mexico.

International Association of Government Officials — “Educate-Elevate-Energize-Engage” is the theme of this year’s annual conference. The conference will include numerous education sessions and workshops as well as a visit to the NASA Houston Space Center. Where: Houston. When: July 11-17.

National Association of Counties — NACo’s 2019 Annual Conference will be held in Clark County (Las Vegas). Although the schedule and keynote speakers are still being hammered out there will be two symposiums on disaster management including an interactive roundtable. When: July 12-15. Where: Las Vegas.

National Association of State Election Directors — The NASED Summer Conference will be held in Austin, Texas, July 14-16, 2019. Watch this space for more details about agendas and registration.

National Conference of State Legislatures: NCSL’s Legislative Summit will feature numerous elections-related sessions include several about redistricting, voter registration, infrastructure and the Census. And if that wasn’t enough, Dolly Parton will be one of the featured keynote speakers.  When: August 5-8. Where: Nashville.

Election Center 35th Annual National Conference: This year’s Conference attendees will be inspired and energized as we head into the final stretch of the 2019 Election year. We will share substantive elections issues including crucial critical infrastructure information, new election initiatives and tons of practical and meaningful election administration tools and resources including the newest innovations and ideas to help election officials as the 2020 presidential year quickly approaches. When: Aug. 17-24. Where: Orlando.

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 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.

Bilingual Resources and Marketing Specialist, Gwinnett County, Georgia —  Gwinnett County Voter Registration and Elections is responsible for planning and organizing all election voter-related activities and assist Gwinnett’s cities and special districts with election preparations. The division is comprised of staff that are proud to be part of a team that works together to assure that every vote counts. This position will be responsible for marketing and outreach for our Elections Division. The incumbent will create marketing material, work with community partners/organizations and conduct outreach related to Gwinnett County’s Election Division and the Bilingual Election Law (Sec. 203 of the Voting Rights Act). The incumbent must be proficient in oral, written and reading comprehension of the Spanish language. The primary responsibility for this position will be to educate and inform various community organizations, registered and prospective voters about election processes in both English and Spanish. The incumbent will also be required to set up and take down tables, display boards and various marketing materials for public events. Salary: $42,1620 $48,486. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.

Business Analyst, Wisconsin Elections Commission — This position is responsible for understanding, applying, and documenting the Wisconsin Elections Commission’s operational requirements and IT development.  The Elections Business Analyst plays a critical role ensuring that business requirements are accurately translated into development tasks for the agency’s IT developers. The Business Analyst also ensures that IT development team needs are clearly conveyed to business team members. Finally, the Business Analyst ensures that IT development tasks are completely and accurately documented.  This position supports the WisVote statewide voter registration database, as well as other information systems used to facilitate elections in the State of Wisconsin.  This position plays an important role in supporting the IT backbone of Wisconsin’s elections, ensuring that both election officials and voters have the tools necessary to conduct and participate in fair and secure elections. Salary: $54,080 and $68,640. Deadline: July 8. Application: For the complete listing and to apply, click here.

Communications Coordinator/Assistant, Boulder County, Colorado— assist Communications Specialist with various duties for the Clerk & Recorder office. The bulk of this time will focus on the work of the Elections Division; however, individual will assist in some tasks and communication campaigns that cover Motor Vehicle and Recording divisions. Description of Work: This is an hourly, non-benefited position funded now through early December 2020. Ideal candidate can work between 18-30 / hours week. Hours/days are flexible to work around school or other existing work schedule. Occasional weekend or evening support may be needed.The ideal candidate will have strong communications skills, familiarity with WordPress or similar website editing platforms, have a positive attitude, be able to take initiative, and be relatively outgoing. Great position for anyone interested in elections who is a junior, senior, recent graduate or graduate student in communications, marketing, journalism, political science, or related field. This is an hourly. non-benefited position and is expected to end in December 2020. Work hours are flexible and will average 18 to 30 per week. The position works out of Boulder. Salary: $18-$20/hour. Deadline: June 24. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.

Customer Support Consultant, Hart InterCivic— The Customer Support Consultant is responsible for providing application and hardware support to Hart InterCivic customers via telephone and email for all Hart InterCivic products.  The Support Consultant is also responsible for monitoring all requests to ensure efficient, effective resolution. The successful CSC will work directly with customers and other staff members. The position is responsible for responding to customer contacts, dealing with issues in a professional manner, providing technical direction to customers in a manner they can understand and being a customer advocate.  The CSC must have outstanding written and verbal communication skills. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.

Election Coordinator, Solano County, California— The Elections Coordinator is a supervisor who is charged with successfully overseeing a specific election function – this could be either Voter Registration, Vote by Mail, Candidate Services, or Poll Places/Poll Workers.  Each of the four Coordinators within our office are rotated every four years for cross-training and expanding job knowledge. Additional duties involve participating in developing, updating and implementing office procedures to comply with Federal and State laws; training staff and potentially poll workers; working with community stakeholders in achieving our mission; or coordinating the work of contractors that assist with our operation.  The Ideal candidates will have experience in conducting elections and supervising employees. Skills in Microsoft Office applications including Access and Excel; Geographic information systems such as ArcMap; or experience with web design and adobe software packages are beneficial. Salary: $33.41 – $40.61 hourly. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.

Elections Lead Specialist, Douglas County, Colorado— The Elections Lead Specialist assists in the supervision and coordination of elections operations, staff, and election judges including voter services, mail ballot processing and the conduct of elections. The objective of this position is to perform a variety of functions and diverse support roles on a routine basis. Mail Ballot Processing responsibilities are prioritized over other duties during election cycles, which may increase or decrease dramatically depending on the Elections cycle. In the absence of the Operations Manager, assumes responsibility for front-line functions associated with elections operations. This is a highly visible position requiring exceptional leadership, organizational, and communication skills. Salary: $3,550-$4,438 monthly. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.

Elections Specialist, Anoka County, Minnesota — Transparent and accurate elections that allow for the genuine expression of the will of the voters are the bedrock of our democracy. The Anoka County Office of Elections and Voter Registration works closely with local jurisdictions to administer elections with integrity, ensuring all eligible voters can register to vote and cast their ballot through an efficient and credible process. The Elections Specialist who joins the Anoka County Elections team will play a critical role supporting the planning, preparation and execution of core election functions, including voter registration, absentee voting and election day activities. The ideal candidate will be familiar with and comfortable using technology. This team player will demonstrate flexibility and an ability to adjust priorities on short notice. The Elections Specialist will have a strong sense of quality customer service and must engage voters, candidates and other stakeholders in a nonpartisan and respectful manner. This full-time, benefit-eligible position is located at the Anoka County Government Center. Salary: $19.10 – $19.67 Hourly. Deadline: June 24. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.

Elections Specialist, Wisconsin Elections Commission — This position functions as part of the elections administration team and is a resource for the public on election-related laws and procedures. The Elections Specialists regularly conduct public outreach, education, training, technical assistance workshops, seminars, and certification classes. This position is also responsible for core election administration tasks, including, but not limited to review of state and federal candidate ballot access documents, ballot design and review, and canvass of election results. This positions also works in, and provides services regarding, Wisconsin’s statewide voter registration system, which is a database of voter and election information as well as a primary tool for administration of elections in the state. This position is a contact for county and municipal clerks to provide customer service, training, and guidance in the administration of elections using WisVote. Salary: $17.96 and $29.62 per hour. Deadline: July 7. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.

Election Specialist I, Douglas County, Colorado — This position is focused on routine customer service and general office/clerical support including data entry, communications, and processing mail. This is a support role capable of performing a variety of tasks, with problem solving abilities, managing multiple competing responsibilities and prioritizing to maintain a continuous flow of election office operations. This is a visible and crucial position requiring exceptional computer, customer service, and communication skills. This is a benefited part-time position and benefits are pro-rated to 30 hours per week. This is an open until filled posting, review of applications and interviews will begin immediately and continue until suitable candidates are selected. Salary: $16.40-$20.50/hourly. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.

Election Specialist II, Douglas County, Colorado— The Election Specialist II is responsible for routine support services related to temporary employees, training, Voter Service and Polling Centers, mail ballot processing, voter registration, and customer service. This position contributes to the department’s achievement of delivering efficient, transparent, fair and accurate elections as well as performs other projects as assigned. This position requires technical work in a lead role capable of performing a variety of complex tasks, with solving problem abilities, managing multiple competing tasks and prioritizing to maintain a continuous flow of operations and temporary support. This is a visible and crucial position requiring previous elections experience, and exceptional computer, customer service, and communication skills. Please note this position is posted as open until filled, review of applications will begin immediately and continue until a suitable candidate is selected. Salary: $3,214 – $4,017 Monthly. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.

Project Manager, Hart InterCivic— Project Managers at Hart InterCivic are highly motivated “self-starters” who are enthusiastic about providing exceptional customer service. Working with other members of the Professional Services and Operations teams, the Project Manager directs activity, solves problems, and develops lasting and strong relationships with our customers. Hart InterCivic’s unique and industry known culture of innovation, transparency, and customer-centric focus creates an environment where team members will continually grow and be challenged to develop their careers. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.

Product Manager, Hart InterCivic — as Product Manager, you will join a team that is charged with product planning, design, and execution throughout the lifecycle of Hart’s products, in support of the company’s overall strategy and goals. This includes: gathering, validating, and prioritizing internal and external customer needs; documenting and communicating product and technical requirements; gathering market and competitive intelligence; supporting the certification, sales, and marketing teams. The Product Manager must possess a unique blend of business and technical savvy – with experience in elections technology or other government-oriented products preferred.  To succeed in this role, the ideal candidate must spend time in the market to understand its unique attributes; demonstrate competence with specialized hardware and software; and find innovative solutions for the broader market. The Product Manager plays a key role in helping others to understand the product positioning, key benefits, and target customer, as well as providing advanced subject matter expertise in using the company’s products. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.

Research Scientist, MIT Election Data and Science Lab— MEDSL seeks a research scientist  to oversee the data science workflow of the lab’s election-related data collection, processing, and dissemination efforts.  MEDSL aims to improve the democratic experience for all U.S. voters by applying scientific principles to how elections are studied and administered. Responsibilities include assisting the director with designing and implementing research projects; gathering and analyzing data, designing research protocols, and documenting results; managing data science and quality control for the 2018 release of the Elections Performance Index (EPI); acquiring data from government sources and designing protocols to update indicators not provided by government sources; assisting with redistricting data collection/dissemination efforts; working with web designers to update EPI website and creating original content for MEDSL website; onboarding and monitoring the work of students/research support associates; tracking scholarship in the field of election science; and performing other data science/administrative/reporting duties as assigned. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.

Software Sales Specialist, VOTEC— VOTEC’s Sales Specialist is responsible for creating news sales with prospects and existing clients in targeted areas in the US. We are looking for an election professional comfortable using insight and consultative selling techniques to create interest that offers unique solutions on their operations, which link back to VOTEC’s solutions. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.

Marketplace

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