In Focus This Week
Officials from vote-by-mail states gather for conference
First-of-its-kind conference focuses on lessons learned and future of ‘pajama voting’
By Lynn Bartels
Special to electionline
Oregon, Washington and Colorado are officially the nation’s three mail-in ballot states but Washington Secretary of State Kim Wyman says actually there are more.
“When 60 percent of your voters request an absentee ballot, you’re a mail ballot state, you just don’t know it yet,” she said.
Wyman was among the election officials who spoke at the three-day Western States Election Conference that began July 7 in Stevenson, Wash., at Skamania Lodge. Participants took in views of the stunning Columbia River Gorge in between plenty of talk about best practices of what some voters call “pajama voting.”
“It’s really nice to be in a room full of people who love mail ballots,” Wyman said.
The elections conference grew out of talks with Nancy Blankenship, clerk for Deschutes County, Ore., and Hillary Hall, clerk for Boulder County, Colo.
The conference grew out of talks between former Boulder County, Colo., Clerk Hillary Hall and Nancy Blankenship, clerk of Deschutes County, Ore., former president of the Oregon Association of County Clerks. Blankenship then recruited two fellow Oregon clerks, Lincoln County’s Dana Jenkins and Tillamook County’s Tassi O’Neal, who were involved several years ago when Oregon and Washington held a conference to discuss mail ballots.
“We’re super excited to be here,” Pam Anderson, executive director of the Colorado County Clerks Association, said when she kicked off the conference.
“We share a lot of similar things in our mail-in model. The question is where are we going next.”
Sessions dealt with a variety of topics, from voting for the disabled to ballot envelope design to cyber security.
Oregon clerks Jenkins and O’Neal, Wyman and Anderson provided the history of their state’s path to mail-in ballots, a move that has made them top among states in voter turnout. The Oregon clerks said along the way proposals at times failed because Democrats believed mail ballots would benefit Republicans and vice versa.
The difference and similarities of the systems were highlighted.
Oregon and Washington pay for postage, although there are concerns that postal closures and resignations of long-time postal workers could have an impact on ballot returns. Colorado does not, instead choosing to invest in 24-hour drop boxes that are emptied by county election workers on a regular basis.
Pam Anderson, the executive director of the Colorado County Clerks Association, center, is with Mark Neary, assistant secretary of state in Washington, and WA Secretary of State Kim Wyman.
Colorado also has a hybrid system, with clerks opening a required number of Voter Service and Polling Centers before the election. Coloradans can vote in person, register to vote, request a new ballot and such at those centers. The Colorado clerks at the conference were vocal about wanting to reduce the number of centers, especially in rural counties where they are not heavily utilized, driving up the costs to process the ballots.
During one exercise, election officials moved about the room and sat at tables with those whose counties have roughly the same number of voters. They shared best practices with each other and then with the entire room.
One of the themes that emerged, no matter the population of the county: Legislators don’t always take into account the expertise of election officials or their needs before passing bills.
Professor Paul Gronke, who teaches political science at Reed College in Portland, Ore., said it was eye-opening to find out that many county clerks not only conduct elections, but also might handle motor vehicle registrations or driver’s licenses, record documents, issue passports, take minutes for county commissioners and more.
Amber McReynolds, executive director of the National Vote at Home Institute, touted the West’s success when it comes to election innovation. She said some states offer no early voting and an excuse is required to vote absentee.
“Election policy must be about who votes, not who wins,” she said.
Matt Crane with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, said elections offices these days look like IT offices because of all the security.
Matt Crane, with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, discussed what his agency is focused on, including offering cyber security assistance for smaller counties that want help. And he talked about times have changed for local election officials.
“A typical county election office looks more like an IT office,” he said.
Blankenship and Hall, the Washington and Colorado clerks who first discussed the idea of a conference, said they were thrilled with the outcome.
Said Blankenship: “This, democracy, is such an important part of our daily life.”
“We’re still the new kids,” Hall said. “The idea was to get together with people who have been doing mail-in ballots for a while. My hope is that as more states adopt mail-in ballot we hold more conferences and learn from each other.”
One state moving to a mail-in ballot system is another Western neighbor, Utah. The state of Hawaii is also in the implementation queue.
The 2020 presidential election came up frequently but many local elected officials thought Secretary Wyman said it best when she mentioned school board races and other contests.
“This country is going to have a very high profile election next year,” she said, “but other elections matter just as much.”
(Lynn Bartels worked as a reporter for 35 years in New Mexico and Colorado before going to work for Colorado Secretary of State Wayne Williams in 2015. She now handles communications for various clients, including the Colorado County Clerks Association.)
Election Security Updates
By 225-184 vote, the House has approved the Securing America’s Federal Elections (SAFE) Act. would authorize $600 million for the Election Assistance Commission, which would be allocated to states to enhance their security ahead of 2020 and includes language that would ban voting machines from being connected to the internet and being produced in foreign countries. In addition to the $600 million, the bill would provide $175 million biannually for “sustainment” funds aimed at maintaining election infrastructure. It would also create a $5 million grant program administered by the National Science Foundation to research accessible paper ballot verification methods to address the needs of voters with disabilities and voters who speak English as their second language.
Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats, FBI Director Christopher Wray and other Administration security officials testified before Congress in two closed-door presentations this week. House Minority Whip Steve Scalise, R-La., called the briefing helpful and said it reinforced the importance of remaining vigilant against outside threats to U.S. elections. According to The Associated Press, Virginia Sen. Mark Warner, said the FBI and other law enforcement “definitely upped their game in 2018, but the Russians and others will be back.” National security officials said in a statement Wednesday that election security is a top priority and that officials are taking a “whole-of-government approach” to securing the 2020 elections, along with state, local and private sector partners.
Despite the Administration’s admission that there is an ongoing threat to elections, Senators who participated in the closed-door session did not indicate they would do anything to move forward with election security legislation approved by the House.
“Federal involvement in the process, from our national security agencies, particularly the Department of Homeland Security, I think [it’s] added a significant element in 2018. And that will be even greater in 2020,” Sen. Roy Blount (R-Missouri) said according to Roll Call.
Blunt also said there’s general agreement that a paper backup for election systems is a key element of election security going forward.
“I think we’d all like to see every state move toward a paper ballot backup system where you’d have some piece of paper to count, if there was any question about the election count itself,” he told reporters after the briefing.
2019 Election Udpates
Two weeks after New Yorkers went to the polls at least two races remain undecided. In Queens, a closely watched race for District Attorney is now under a recount. Following the initial vote count it appeared that Tiffany Caban had won, but following a count of provisional ballots candidate Melinda Katz was ahead by 20 ballots. The flip in results has some activists crying foul. The recount began on Tuesday and with more than 91,000 ballots to count by hand, it could be several weeks before there is an official result.
In the race for Watertown mayor it’s still unclear who will be on the ballot in November. Under city law, the top two vote getters move on to November. Problem is, there are two candidates tied for second place. “This is absolutely unprecedented,” Jude Seymour, the Republican Elections Commissioner for Jefferson County told WRVO. Because Watertown’s elections are governed by the city and not the state, there are no statutes in place for how to deal with a tie. An attorney for the city is recommending that all three candidates be placed on the November ballot.
Election News This Week
Update on PA Voting Equipment: Earlier this year Gov. Tom Wolf (D) required that all 67 Pennsylvania counties replace their voting equipment with a paper-based system. Wolf asked the Legislature for $75 million to help counties offset the costs. Last week, the Legislature approved a funding package of $90 million, but the legislation also included other provisions like eliminating straight-party voting. The bill also would have extended the absentee ballot deadline. The bill was approved mostly along party lines. Wolf vetoed the bill early this week saying that while he supported the funding portion of the measure he did not support the elimination of straight-party voting. According to PennLive, he also cited his objections to language inserted in the bill that would impose legislative review on any future action by the Department of State – which oversees the administration of elections statewide – to decertify Pennsylvania’s voting machines en masse. On Tuesday, Wolf announced that he is ordering a bond issue to help the counties cover the costs of the new voting machines. The bond issue would help counties recover up to 60 percent of their costs for new equipment.
The Maryland State Board of Elections will soon allow Marylanders registering to vote to choose “X” or “unspecified” for their gender on voter registration forms. According to The Baltimore Sun, the move comes as state Motor Vehicle Administration prepares to offer the third option for gender on driver’s licenses and state identification cards, in response to a new state law. The state’s elections board voted unanimously at its meeting last week to authorize the elections staff to make the necessary changes, David J. McManus Jr., the board chairman told The Sun. There was no opposition, and no one raised concerns, he said. Elections officials will continue to use the paper applications that they already have on hand, but the next batch that’s printed will include gender options of “F,” “M” and “X.” The online voter registration system is likely to be updated sooner, McManus said. “There’s no fiscal impact to it,” McManus said. “It’s just a form and we will add one little piece for it.”
An April Florida Supreme Court ruling means that constitutional officers in six counties will now be a partisan elected position including the supervisor of elections in Leon County. “It has been determined that the provisions in the Leon County Charter establishing non-partisan elections for the Supervisor of Elections have been rendered unenforceable by operation of law,” the Leon County Supervisor of Elections office said in a Wednesday email. Additionally, the opinion requires that elections supervisor candidates maintain their party affiliation for at least a year prior to qualifying. “I want to stress that although the Supervisor of Elections is now required to be elected by a partisan process, this office will continue to function in a wholly non-partisan manner as it always has been,” Leon County Supervisor of Elections Mark Earley said. .
The National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) recently held their annual conference in Santa Fe, New Mexico and while there inducted the newest executive board. Leading NASS for the 2019-2020 term will be Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate. In addition to Pate, Maggie Toulouse Oliver of New Mexico will serve as the president-elect, Kyle Ardoin of Louisiana will serve as treasurer and William Gardner of New Hampshire as secretary. “It is a tremendous honor to lead this bipartisan group of state election officials as we enter the 2020 election cycle. I’m thankful for their trust in me as we work together to share best practices and ensure clean and fair elections across the country,” Pate said.
Good News! In a recent interview with the Shreveport Times covering a variety of issues, Louisiana Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin said that the state will work to bring back it’s very popular Blue Dog “I Voted” stickers which were cut in 2018 due to budgetary reasons. “If the voters want stickers, well by gosh, we’re going to find a way to get those stickers,” Ardoin told the paper.
Personnel News: Rick Miller is retiring as the Frederick County, Virginia registrar of voters. He will be replace by Richard Venskoske. Donna Sharp has retired as the Hawkins County, Tennessee administrator of elections. Rusty Clark is stepping down as secretary of the Cherokee County, Oklahoma election board. Joyce Bradshaw is retiring after 25 years as the North Andover, Massachusetts town clerk. Melissa Morton is the new Charlottesville, Virginia registrar of voters. She replaces Rosanna Bencoach. Congratulations to Noble County, Indiana Clerk Shelly Mawhorter for being named clerk of the year. Mark Baserman has been appointed to the Holmes County, Ohio board of elections. Ann Arbor, Michigan City Clerk Jackie Beaudry has been named clerk of the year. Falls Church, Virginia Director of Elections Dave Bjerke has been sworn in for another term. The Washington County, Maryland BOE has a new member, Connie Mozingo and new attorney, Brian Kane. Pete Shapiro is the new chairman of the board of directors of HeadCount.
Research and Report Summaries
The U.S. Governmental Accountability Office released a report on voter registration list maintenance late last month. The report, Voter Registration: Information on Federal Enforcement Efforts and State and Local List Management, examines tools that state and local election officials use to maintain voter registration lists, which include Postal Service change of address forms and death records. The report also discusses the Department of Justice’s efforts to ensure compliance with the National Voter Registration Act and address election fraud from 2001 to 2017.
(Research and Report Summaries are written by David Kuennen.)
Legislative Updates
California: A bill requiring an audit of California’s Motor Voter program has died in a Senate committee.
Delaware: Gov. John Carney has signed House Bill 38 into law. Under the new early voting law, voters in The First State will be able to cast their ballots at polling places up to 10 days before Election Day.
Florida: Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) has signed a bill into law that would require felons released from prison to pay all required restitution before their voting rights are restored.
New Hampshire: Gov. Chris Sununu (R) has vetoed a bill that would have allowed for limited release of certain data in the state’s centralized voter registration database, pursuant to a court order when necessary “to protect the right to vote from infringement.”
New York: Sen. Joseph Addabbo has introduced a bill that would require all voting machines to notify voters if they have chosen a candidate listed on the ballot who has officially withdrawn from the race prior to election day. It would also allow the voter a chance to switch their vote, if they choose to do so.
North Carolina: The Senate has approved a bill that would eliminate a statewide absentee ballot request form that can be mass copied, filled out and turned in to local county boards. Instead, individual voters would have to write personal requests, as they used to do, to receive a ballot. The person fills out the ballot, gets witness signatures and sends it in an envelope.
Oregon: The Senate has approved a bill that will cover postage for ballots. Under the measure, ballot return envelopes would include pre-paid postage in the form of a “business reply mail” envelope. It means the ballots can be mailed from anywhere in the United States without needing a stamp. The bill now heads to the desk of Gov. Kate Brown, who has expressed strong support for the legislation.
Legal Updates
California: An indictment unsealed in Los Angeles charged nine people accused of participating in voting fraud schemes — in which homeless people were allegedly offered cash or cigarettes in exchange for forged signatures on initiative petitions and voter registration forms. According to NBC, Prosecutors have accused the group of 14 felonies for a variety of alleged acts during the 2016 and 2018 election cycles, including charges of circulating an initiative with forged or fictitious names, signing fictitious names, registering fictitious persons, and making payment for signatures, according to the indictment. None of the defendants faces all of the charges.
Florida: Arguing an omnibus elections bill signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis makes the case moot, lawyers for the state are asking a federal judge to throw out a lawsuit challenging how Florida elections officials handle mismatched signatures on mail-in and provisional ballots.
Also in Florida, Lawyers representing voting-rights and civil-rights groups, as well as more than a dozen Floridians who’ve been convicted of felonies, filed three lawsuits in federal court, immediately after Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law an omnibus elections measure (SB 7066) that included the implementation of Amendment 4. The Southern Poverty Law Center filed a fourth lawsuit. The legal challenges, combined into one case by U.S. District Judge Mark Walker, allege the legislation unconstitutionally “creates two classes of citizens,” depending on their ability to pay financial obligations that many don’t even know about.
In documents filed this week, plaintiffs in a long-running dispute over campus early voting sites argued that language slipped into SB7066 that requires college campus early voting sites to have “sufficient non-permitted parking” will create an unconstitutional burden on young voters.
Georgia: U.S. District Judge Amy Totenberg this week ordered election officials to allow computer experts to review databases used to configure ballots and tabulate votes. The ruling comes in a lawsuit by election integrity advocates who doubt the accuracy of the state’s voting machines.
According to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, a lawsuit over rejected absentee ballots has been dismissed following the passage of House Bill 316 that will change how absentee ballots are reviewed. “The parties agree that the above-cited provisions make further litigation of this matter unnecessary,” according to a joint stipulation for dismissal last month.
Pennsylvania: Westmoreland County Judge Harry F. Small approved a new voter precinct plan for Upper Burrell that will more evenly divide the number of voters between the township’s two precincts.
Texas: Klaus Michael Adam, 77, a Killeen municipal election judge, was indicted by the Bell County Grand Jury on the charge of criminal attempt illegal voting.
Tech Thursday
Social Media: After a federal court ruled that the president could not block users from his Twitter account, Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill, who has also been sued by users that he has blocked, said that there is a key difference between his situation and the president’s. Merrill said that because he does not use @JohnHMerrill, the account he has been sued about, for official business the ruling against the president does not apply. “I do answer questions when people raise them and I have interacted with constituents when they initiated it,” Merrill said according to AL.com. “That’s responding to inquiries. That’s not me promoting something or introducing something for the first time from the office of the Secretary of State.” That’s a point of contention in the lawsuit filed against Merrill by the American Civil Liberties Union of Alabama on behalf of three blocked Twitter users. The plaintiffs claim Merrill does use the account for official business.
Opinions This Week
National Opinions: Election security, II, III | Student voters | SCOTUS rulings | U.S. Election Assistance Commission | Election officials
Arizona: Maricopa County, II, III
Connecticut: Suffrage
District of Columbia: Felon enfranchisement
Florida: Election security, II | Ex-felon voting rights, II | Election information | Early voting | Poll tax | 2000 election
Louisiana: Election reform
Maryland: Election security | Ex-felon voting rights
Massachusetts: Election day registration
Minnesota: Primaries
Nevada: Lines
New Hampshire: Election security
New Jersey: Vote buying
New Mexico: Election system
New York: Erie County | Election reform | Rensselaer County | Early voting | Election errors | Recount
Ohio: Election security
Oklahoma: Election security
Pennsylvania: Primaries | Election reform, II, III| Equipment costs, II
Washington: Voter registration | Election security
Upcoming Events
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.
CTCL Post-Election Audits Online Series: The Center for Technology and Civic Life (CTCL) is launching a 3-course online series on Post-Election Audits, in partnership with Jennifer Morrell and the Center for Democracy and Technology (CDT). Whether you conduct traditional audits, risk-limiting audits, or none at all, this curriculum will empower you to conduct more rigorous post-election audits and boost public trust. Each 90 minute course costs $50 per attendee. Where: Online. When. Aug. 20-27.
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.
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.
Departmental Analyst, Michigan Secretary of State’s Office — The incumbent will provide training, guidance and policy interpretation to county, city, and township clerks statewide based on voter registration, Michigan Election Law, established election-related policies and procedures, and the eLearning Center. Assist with the coordination of Bureau of Elections (BOE) activities related to the planning, scheduling, development, revision, delivery and ongoing assessment of BOE training programs for over 1,600 election officials statewide. Assist in them supervision and administration of the election laws under the direction of the Secretary of State, Director of Elections and the Board of State Canvassers. Assist with regular statewide reporting projects, including the Provisional Ballot Report, Military and Overseas Voter Report, Post-Election Audit reports and other election-related requests and topics. Salary: $20.62 – $34.89 Hourly. Deadline: July 22. 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.
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.
Elections Supervisor, Community Services, Gwinnett County, Georgia— The elections supervisor is responsible for supervising lower levels, overseeing the day-to-day management of the elections section and ensuring that the section operates in compliance with state and federal laws. The incumbent will read and interpret federal election laws, the Georgia constitution and statutes, secretary of state directives, county resolutions, and ordinances to ensure division compliance. This position is responsible for outreach/education programs including bilingual voter outreach, voter information development, and preparation of voting materials such as brochures, sample ballots, etc. The supervisor will also ensure that the programs and policies are being implemented and adjusted as necessary to ensure compliance with Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act. Salary: $74,940-$88,055. Deadline: July 28. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.
Program Associate, Elections Policy, The Democracy Fund — Democracy Fund’s Elections team is seeking a Program Associate to promote and advocate for national issues in voting policy, particularly election law and election cybersecurity policy. This role presents a unique opportunity to blend philanthropy, policy development, and legislative advocacy. The successful candidate will be passionate about educating leaders, officials, and the public on the urgent need for election reform and the danger that attacks on the electoral process pose to our democracy. he Program Associate will focus on increasing the public’s trust in elections, improving election security, advancing policies and practices that make elections more accessible, and reducing attempts to change election law for partisan benefit. Day-to-day tasks will include grantmaking, policy work, advocacy, coalition and relationship building, thought leadership, and developing innovative approaches to reduce real or perceived threats to American elections. We are looking for candidates who are determined to help our democracy work better. Strong candidates will possess several years of experience working on voting or election policy and leading advocacy or legislative policy change. The successful candidate will have a track record of working well with others to get things done in a complex, fast-paced environment and will thrive as part of a small, highly collaborative team. The Program Associate will report to the Associate Director, Elections. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.
Program Director, National Voter Registration Day — We are seeking a Program Director to organize and rally key national partners around one of the most prominent and important civic holidays in the nation – National Voter Registration Day – held on the fourth Tuesday of every September. In 2020, we aim to break past years’ records and register over one million voters with the help of over 50 major national partners and 4,500 field partners. To do this we require a creative and entrepreneurial Program Director with sincere people skills and a passion for civic engagement and democracy. Salary: $68,000 and $76,000. 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.
Tabulation and Technology Specialist, Nassau County Supervisor of Elections–This is a highly detailed administrative and technical professional position. This position will assist with all activities in the tabulation room pre and post-election, ensure quality assurance, and interact with all areas to improve processes. Assist with warehouse management to include overall management of all equipment and supplies used at the polling place. Prepare training materials and train election workers on voting equipment. Implementing measurement of results for future strategic planning. Special projects as assigned. This is an open until filled posting, review of applications and interviews will begin immediately and continue until a suitable candidate is selected. Salary: $16.67-$25.36/hourly. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.
Marketplace
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