In Focus This Week
Advice for the year to come
Former elections officials give advice to those still in the trenches
By M. Mindy Moretti
electionline.org
2021 saw an unprecedented number of elections officials retire early or simply resign. Typically electionline Weekly likes to have some of these folks sit for one of our Exit Interviews, but with so many people moving on, it was almost impossible.
A handful of former elections officials left their local or state-level elections jobs and moved on to other jobs still in the field with places like the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, CISA, the EI-IASC and the nonprofit sector. We’ve decided to ask this cohort of former elections officials and ask them what their best advice is for 2022. Here’s what they had to say…
Marci Andino: It’s been a privilege and honor to be part of the election community and to work with so many dedicated professionals from across the country. In the last few years, election officials have been faced with unprecedented challenges, criticism and threats and 2022 will be no exception. Just remember, there’s no more important work than registering voters and conducting elections to support our democracy. Keep doing what you do every day to achieve trust and confidence in the election process: develop and follow procedures; test and retest; reconcile and audit; improve your cybersecurity posture and resilience; and conduct elections in a fair and impartial manner. Don’t listen to the “noise”! Expect the unexpected and know your work is important and you are appreciated!— Marci Andino, was the long-time director of the South Carolina State Elections Commission before becoming the Director of the Elections Infrastructure Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EI-ISAC).
Lori Aguino: Get back to the basics. With the additional work that has inundated us all, don’t forget to use your checklists, proof, proof, and proof again. Use your tried-and-true practices to ensure accuracy in your work and to make sure things don’t fall through the cracks. Find your true north. Remember why you started in elections administration! Stick to your principles and do the right thing every day. Rely on your network. Be active in the national, state, and local associations for elections officials. There are so many people within this industry who are rock stars and know exactly what you’re going through. Lean on each other to get through the tough days. Share resources and ideas. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Particularly those of you who are new to this space. Take care of yourself. Make time for your family and friends. Meditate. Take time for you. Your mental health is so important. Take a break when you feel the pressure overtaking and then get back to it.— Lori Aguino was the director of elections for the State of Washington. She is now the executive director of The National Vote at Home Institute.
Kathy Boockvar: More than anything else, I want to thank election officials at every level for all the incredible work you do day in and day out for our democracy, to ensure that every eligible American can exercise their fundamental right to vote. My advice for 2022 is for you to remember that you are not alone. Know that there are many of us out there who are here for you, who understand how hard you are working, and who are available to support you and advocate for you. Take advantage of the many no-cost resources available, such as the election security protections and guidance available via the Center for Internet Security (CIS) and the EI-ISAC. CIS and the EI-ISAC are here to support you, to help you stay connected to the election community at large, and to help you stand strong against the cyber threats and other challenges facing us today. — Kathy Boockvar is the former Pennsylvania Secretary of State and now serves as the Vice President of Election Operations at CIS.
Steve Daitch: I’ve been fortunate to learn from a lot of great people in the field, and the best lesson that I’ve learned is this: think critically about whom you are serving, and do the work that best meets their needs. As a county election official in Michigan, my direct “customers” were our voters, poll workers, candidates, and local clerks. Each of these groups have different needs, but these needs are interconnected. Voters benefit when poll workers are well trained. Poll workers benefit when voters have access to good information. And sometimes the best way to serve your customers is for you to take a break. Build in time to recover from the stresses of the election cycle – election administration is a marathon, not a sprint, and your voters need you for the long haul. — Steve Daitch is the former elections coordinator of Ottawa County, Michigan. He is now a Senior Subject Matter Expert for the U.S. Election Assistance Commission.
Reid Magney: My advice to those still in the trenches in 2022 is to prepare for election administration to be a significant campaign issue in the midterms. In addition to all the normal campaign issues, candidates are going to be talking about elections like never before. Prepare for that by making sure your website and voter education materials explain not just what the laws require, but how election administrators carry out their duties in your state or locality. Use stories (video, if possible) to illustrate how you do your job. Continue to take advantage of the media’s newfound interest in the arcane details of election administration. When facts get twisted in the heat of the campaign later next year, you’ll be ready to point to the factual materials you prepared about how elections actually work. Finally, don’t be afraid to ask for help when things get tough in 2022. Take advantage of the public’s wider recognition of the trouble most election officials went through in 2020 and 2021, and ask your boss for the resources you need, especially at crunch time. And don’t forget to call your former colleagues for ideas or just to commiserate. You’re not alone! .— Reid Magney was the public information officer for Wisconsin’s elections agency for 12 years before becoming communications director in 2021 at VoteRiders.
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Election News This Week
Print Your Own Ballots: According to King County Elections Chief Julie Wise, the pop-up voting sites created by those opposed to the recall of Seattle City Councilmember Kshama Sawant helped defeat the recall. Supporters of Sawant had set up pop-up voting sites throughout the district where voters could printout and cast their ballots. The practice caused some consternation for people who questioned the legality of it, but Wise noted that the practice is completely legal. “We heard this election from about 100 voters that were concerned and I think frustrated,” said Wise, in reference to the tents where people were printing ballots for the recall election. “That’s a program that we’ve offered our voters for over a decade now. Since 2010, voters have been able to go online and access their ballots,” said Wise, who believes the print-at-home option enhances access to voting. Wise told King 5 the online platform allows registered voters to replace their ballots and print them at home, putting the ballot in a postage-paid envelope. She said the ballots are held to the same strict standard and verification as ones mailed out by the elections department. In this particular election, 3% of ballots, or 1,400, were printed. Wise said the normal rate during an election is one-half of one percent. Given the small margin, it is highly likely the ballots printed at pro-Sawant locations were the difference in the race.
Voting on Voting: The town of Greenland will continue to use scanners to count ballots in local, state and federal elections following a special election held Saturday. Only 120 people, or 10 percent of those casting ballots, voted in favor of the measure to ban the use of Accuvote machines and require all ballots be counted by hand. 1,077, or 90 percent, voted against it. The measure was put on the ballot after a petition was filed with the signatures of 52 registered voters, according to Marguerite Morgan, Greenland’s town clerk and tax collector. “I have been a clerk here for 15 years and we have never had an issue and that was one of the questions I asked the petitioner, to prove to us, tell me where we’ve had the problem so we could correct it. There was no problem,” Morgan told WMUR. The town had pre-printed 700 ballots for the election, but turnout was so high hundreds more had to be printed Saturday. Morgan had to sign each one of the ballots printed Saturday by hand, which were not machine readable, so they had to be counted by hand.
Personnel News: Portland, Maine City Clerk Katherine Jones will retire on July 1 after 13 years of service. Pamela Shrimpton has retired as the Hawley, New Hampshire town clerk. She has been replaced by Liz Billings. Hilda Santiago has announced her candidacy for Connecticut secretary of state. Kathy Holland has retired as the Alamance County, North Carolina board of elections director after 31 years in the office. Long-time Marshall County, West Virginia Clerk Jan Pest is retiring after 17 years as clerk. Mary Ellen Gurewitz has been appointed to serve on the Michigan Board of State Canvassers. Erika McConnell has resigned as the deputy clerk of elections in Anchorage, Alaska. Toni Dyer has been named the new Ellsworth, Maine city clerk. Longtime Ripon, Wisconsin Clerk Ann Schommer is retiring.
And Happy Holidays from the Wake County, North Carolina Board of Elections!
Legislative Updates
Anchorage, Alaska: The Anchorage Assembly postponed a vote on an ordinance that would update the city’s election laws and make several changes to rules for observers. Assembly members passed a slew of amendments to the ordinance Tuesday night before adjourning when the clock hit midnight and postponing its vote to a meeting next week. The Assembly’s debate on Tuesday night was preceded by extensive public testimony from people in support of and against the changes. The ordinance would require election observers to complete city-provided training and tour of the election center. The changes would also enshrine in code that observers must follow the Election Observer’s Handbook and that the municipal clerk, with “good cause,” can limit the number of observers. Many who criticize the changes say they put too much power in the hands of the municipal clerk and could mean the clerk could limit the public’s ability to observe the election process. Some questioned why the Assembly changed language in city code to restrict election observers from having devices capable of recording images or sound within certain areas of voting and ballot processing locations. “The ordinance does not change the number of observers allowed or the times when observers are authorized to observe election activities. It does not change the reasons why an observer may be asked to leave an election location or the MOA election team’s commitment to ensuring that observers understand the election process and showing them all aspects of that process,” Assembly chair Suzanne LaFrance said.
Missouri: State Sen. Bill White (R-Joplin) has filed Senate Bill 670 that calls for the official ballot in Missouri to be a paper ballot hand-marked by the voter. The legislation would also bans the use of touchscreen and electronic vote-counting machines starting in January 2024. It also would prohibit the use of direct-recording voting machines. “Actually, I think it’s great that we are banning direct recording electronic voting machines. Nobody is using them anymore. Everybody has purchased the newest versions of voting equipment,” says Boone County Clerk Brianna Lennon said..
Oregon: Rep. Lisa Reynolds, D-Portland says that she plans to introduce legislation in February that would restore voting rights to thousands of felons while they’re still incarcerated. “There is a segment of our population who have had this fundamental right stripped from them,” she said. “The right to vote is fundamental. It upholds the foundation of our democracy and democracy works better when everyone has a voice.” If passed, roughly 12,000 to 15,000 incarcerated people would have their right to vote restored. The reform would mean that all people incarcerated in the state, whether in state prisons or county jails, could vote while in detention. Oregon has barred inmates from voting since the territory created the disenfranchisement law in an 1857 constitutional convention. Although the proposal never made it out of committee in the 2021 Oregon session, advocates predicted it stands a better chance in February and they expect most Democratic lawmakers to sign on as sponsors. This year, Reynolds said she’s intent on proposing a policy change that shouldn’t trigger any fiscal impact and is talking to the Corrections Department to assuage concerns about needing additional staff.
U.S. Virgin Islands: A bill that seeks transparency in V.I. elections, instead sparked debate among senators over who should have access to information. Bill No. 34-0149, sponsored by Sen. Alma Francis Heyliger, seeks to make official election records accessible to the public through cloud-based services, but at a Rules and Judiciary Committee hearing, lawmakers voiced concerns the information could be misused. “We have a responsibility to ensure that we protect the information we gather in public records,” said Sen. Carla Joseph. “We use the states to compare to the Virgin islands, but we have to look at this very carefully and customize it locally.” The bill was held by the committee for further consideration. Elections Supervisor Caroline Fawkes said the Election’s Board and her office did not support the legislation, and argued only registered voters should have access to the information.
Utah: Utah lawmakers are set to consider a bill that would further protect the right to vote for people with disabilities. The legislation would require election officials to provide accessible voting options — like auditory machines for people who are blind. They would also have to make rules about how to verify signatures for people who can’t sign their name consistently. Weber County Clerk/Auditor Ricky Hatch said this is already common practice in election offices around Utah, but putting it in state law is especially important as more election officials leave their jobs. “Twenty-five percent of our county clerks have retired or resigned in the past 12 months,” Hatch said. “It’s hard coming in. … Sometimes you’re going to miss things when you’re new and having it in code is one way to help ensure these voters are being served properly.”
Legal Updates
Federal Lawsuits: The U.S. Postal Service announced that it had reached a settlement in a lawsuit filed last year by the NAACP over mail delays and their effect on election ballots. In the settlement, the postal service agreed to take “extraordinary measures” to deliver ballots for the 2022 midterm elections, such as those used during the November 2020 election. “Consistent with the Postal Service’s steadfast commitment to fulfilling our vital role in the nation’s electoral process, we agreed to continue to prioritize monitoring and timely delivery of Election Mail for future elections,” Thomas Marshall, the USPS general counsel said in a statement. “This will include outreach and coordination with election officials and election stakeholders, including the NAACP.” The agency said it would publicly post mail-in ballot guidance no later than Feb. 1 for federal primary elections, and Oct. 1 for general elections. USPS agreed to post the guidance through 2028. The postal service will also provide weekly reports on service performance starting six weeks before general elections.
Judge Eric Davis of the Delaware Superior Court has found that Fox News’ coverage of election fraud after the 2020 election may have been inaccurate, and is allowing a major defamation case against the TV network to move forward. Davis declined to dismiss Dominion Voting System’s lawsuit against Fox News in a significant ruling last week. The ruling will now allow Dominion to attempt to unearth extensive communications within Fox News as they gather evidence for the case, and the company may be able to interview the network’s top names under oath. At this stage, the court must assume Dominion’s claims about Fox News are true. Still, Davis called out, in the 52-page opinion, that Fox News may have slanted its coverage to push election fraud, knowing the accusations were wrong. Dominion alerted the network’s anchors and executives to information that disproved accusations of widespread vote-switching following Donald Trump’s re-election loss, the judge noted. “Nevertheless, Fox and its news personnel continued to report Dominion purported connection to the election fraud claims without also reporting on Dominion’s emails … Given that Fox apparently refused to report contrary evidence, including evidence from the Department of Justice, the Complaint’s allegations support the reasonable inference that Fox intended to keep Dominion’s side of the story out of the narrative,” the judge wrote. The court rejected Fox News’ claims that it was able to discuss Trump advisers’ election fraud conspiracies under principles of news reporting.
Colorado: The Colorado Secretary of State’s Office is asking a Denver District Court Judge to dismiss as frivolous a lawsuit filed against the office alleging irregularities in the 2020 general election. The suit, filed by Rep. Ron Hanks (R-Canon City) and several local elected officials, contends the office failed to properly test voting equipment before the 2020 election, deleted election files and are obstructing counties’ ability to conduct independent audits of election results. In its motion to dismiss the case, the Secretary of State’s office says the allegations are all based on unfounded election conspiracy theories. “The plaintiffs’ allegations are patently false, and their legal justifications without merit,” Secretary of State Jena Griswold said. “Nationwide, bad actors are abusing the judicial process to spread disinformation, undermine confidence in elections and suppress the right to vote. It is extremely concerning to see elected officials here in Colorado spread conspiracy theories about the 2020 election.” Griswold’s office says state law requires it to certify, or de-certify, a county’s election equipment; it is the job of county clerks to maintain copies of election files, and not the state; and counties aren’t barred from conducting audits, just not by those who are not qualified.
On Tuesday, they Mesa County Commission filed suit against Clerk Tina Peters because she hadn’t attested to a legal action taken by the Mesa County Board of County Commissioners last week to extend a contract with Runbeck Election Services to print ballots and envelopes for the 2022 primary and general elections. As clerk, one of her duties is to supply a clerk to the board, which is to prepare agendas, maintain minutes, preserve and catalog official public records and documents, and to attest to documents signed by the board chair that are approved by the county’s three commissioners. After a week had passed, and when Peters had attested to everything else the board did at its Dec. 13 commissioner meeting except the Runbeck contract, the county sent her a letter warning her that if she didn’t do the job the law requires of her, she would be sued. On Tuesday, a day after the county’s deadline for her to attest to the board’s decision, it filed its lawsuit. According to The Daily Sentinel, the suit was withdrawn on Wednesday after Peters completed the legally required tasks.
Florida: Chief U.S. District Judge Mark Walker has rejected the state’s motion for summary judgment in cases brought by the League of Women Voters of Florida, the Florida Conference of the NAACP, Disability Rights Florida and a number of other groups against the state’s new voting law (SB 90). Walker said he needed to hear arguments from both sides during a trial next month so he can decide whether the law meets constitutional muster. The court’s “task is to balance defendants’ proffered justifications for the challenged provisions against the burdens, if any, those provisions place on those voters for whom the provisions present an impediment to voting,” Walker wrote in a 21-page order. Walker, who consolidated four challenges in a trial scheduled to start Jan. 31, said the plaintiffs “have come forward with evidence suggesting that the challenged provisions impose at least some burdens on Florida’s electorate.”
Mississippi: Special Circuit Judge Andrew Howorth has vacated the results of Nettleton’s mayoral race and ordered the town to hold a new election. In a signed order obtained by the Daily Journal Howorth found that five illegal votes were cast during municipal Democratic primary races in Nettleton held April 6. The judge also found that incumbent Mem Riley only won the race by four votes against challenger Phillip Baulch, and that those five illegal votes were not separated from the legally cast ballots. Howorth vacated the results of the election and ordered that a new one be held. Three ballots deemed illegitimate by Howorth were affidavit ballots that were not signed by a poll worker. In two other cases, Howorth agreed with arguments put forward by Baulch’s attorney, Sam Begley, that votes were cast by two people who are not residents of Nettleton and therefore were not eligible to vote in municipal elections there.
Pennsylvania: Following a telephone conference, Commonwealth Court Judge Mary Hannah sided with a lawyer for Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration and said that Fulton County must first work out an agreed-upon set of rules for an inspection. Leavitt gave them until Jan. 10, at the suggestion of a lawyer representing Wolf’s top election official in a separate lawsuit involving Fulton County’s voting machines. In that lawsuit, Fulton County is contesting the state’s decertification of voting machines it used in last year’s presidential election. State lawyers last week discovered that Fulton County commissioners had voted to allow a contractor hired by Senate Republicans to download data and software on the voting systems.
Wisconsin: The League of Women Voters of Wisconsin filed a federal lawsuit seeking to have the Wisconsin Elections Commission reinstate voter registrations for nearly 32,000 people who were deactivated this summer. The commission deactivated the registrations for the voters after a two-year legal fight. That lawsuit, filed in 2019 by the conservative Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty, argued that the commission should have deactivated voters flagged as potentially having moved within 30 days of notice being given. The new lawsuit argues that the 31,854 voters should not have had their registrations deactivated because they weren’t given notice that it could happen or a deadline to avoid it.
Tech Thursday
Montana: This week, as expected, Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen officially pulled the plug on launching the new statewide voter registration database in 2022. Montana will not launch an election-management system that isn’t ready, and it’s not ready,” she said in a statement Monday morning, after a meeting with her staff, county election officers and the new system’s developer. Jacobsen’s decision means the 2022 elections in Montana will use the state’s current voter database, known as Montana Votes. Jacobsen said her office will be discussing the next steps for the new system with the company developing the software, but gave no indication what those steps may be. Jacobsen told lawmakers last week she wouldn’t launch the new system, called ElectMT, unless local election officials agreed it was ready – and those officials said last Thursday it was not ready, because it still had some unresolved glitches and had not been tested in a live election.
Opinions This Week
National Opinions: Voting rights, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX | Democracy, II, III | 2020 election | Voter fraud | Election security
Arizona: Hunger strike | Disinformation
Colorado: Mesa County
Florida: Supervisors of elections | Elections police
Georgia: Board of elections
Louisiana: The Big Lie
Maine: Town clerks
New Jersey: Same day registration
New York: Vote by mail
Tennessee: Access to voting
Texas: Voting rights | Audits | Election workers
Washington: Democracy
West Virginia: Election security
Wisconsin: Election commission | Democracy | Ranked choice voting
Upcoming Events
IGO Mid-Winter Conference: The International Association of Government Officials will hold its 2022 Mid-Winter Conference in-person in Indian Wells, California. Registration is currently available. Check back for more information on the agenda. When: January 20-25, 2022. Where: Indian Wells, California.
NASED Winter Conference: Watch this space for more information. When: January 27-30, 2022. Where: Washington, DC.
NASS Winter Conference: Watch this space for more information. When: January 27-30, 2022. Where: Washington, DC.
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.
Account Management Specialist, EI-ISAC— The EI-ISAC is looking for an ambitious teammate who is passionate about making a difference in the realm of cybersecurity for (SLTT) election offices. The ideal candidate will be comfortable building relationships with the election community to support and advance the mission of “confidence in a connected world.” What You’ll Do: Support the development and execution of the EI-ISAC strategy and mission; Assist election officials to determine security needs and how they integrate with election technology; Facilitate communications between election officials and IT professionals; Provide exceptional service to all members and be able to explain the concepts and services that can protect their technology via email, phone calls, and WebEx meetings/conferences; Ensure ongoing customer satisfaction and retention; Assist with the scheduling and running of member meetings and webinars; Responsible for the onboarding process of new members; Research, record, track, and report on member prospects and qualified leads to the team and management; Assist with data cleanup, reporting, and any ongoing projects; Update metrics for EI-ISAC reports and presentations; Represent the EI-ISAC in a professional and courteous manner; and Other tasks and responsibilities as assigned. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.
Assistant Registrar of Voters, San Diego County, California— The Assistant Registrar of Voters is an executive management position reporting to the Registrar of Voters (Director). The Assistant Registrar assists the Registrar in managing the overall responsibilities and activities of the Department to include providing eligible citizens of San Diego County with widespread and ongoing opportunities to register and vote in fair and accurate elections for all federal, state and local offices and measures; and provide access to the information needed to utilize the initiative, referendum, and recall petition processes. The ideal candidate for this position will have sound decision-making skills in election administration, as well as organizational and political acumen in order to advise and provide direction for ROV programs and services. Candidates familiar with election administration principles, campaign finance, election technologies, voting procedures, and federal and California election laws are preferred. Salary: $150,000- $160,000. Deadline: Jan. 7, 2022. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.
Consultant: Network Coordinator, U.S. Elections, The Carter Center— The Carter Center is seeking two consultant Network Coordinators to work as part of an established team on efforts aimed at the adoption and implementation of an electoral code of conduct at the state or national level. Working with Carter Center staff and consultants, the Network Coordinators will work to build diverse coalitions at the state and national level to gain signatories to and support for a code of conduct for promoting good elections. In order to uphold our nonpartisan approach, The Carter Center is considering both politically right-leaning and left-leaning consultants to support this effort. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.
Deputy Elections Administrator, Ohio Secretary of State’s Office— The Ohio Secretary of State is currently seeking candidates for a Deputy Elections Administrator. The duties of the position include but are not limited to: Under general direction of Elections Administrator; manages critical elections operations; reviews, tests, and ensures proper functionality of software applications; assists with defining goals & objectives for Election Division; assists with oversight & direction of all aspects of election administration, including but not limited to reporting by Boards of Elections (BOE) compliance with federal & state mandated programs & procedures; assists Elections Administrator in drafting and reviewing directives, advisories, memoranda & other instruction for use by BOE; supervises staff (e.g., sign off on requests for leave; performance evaluations; approve payroll; manage daily activities). Assists with directing & monitoring all activities of the Elections Division including work flow, release of information by phone or mail, election related research, designing programs to enhance operation of Elections Division; assists with scheduling & implementing responsibilities of each section (e.g., services provided by Election Division, policies & procedures); coordinates election matters with Elections Division legal staff; assists with review of reports, documents, & training materials submitted by BOE. Represents SOS with Boards of Elections in all 88 counties at elections- related conferences, committees, & various meetings pertaining to BOE activities; performs other duties & tasks as assigned. Salary: $76,336 negotiable based on experience. Deadline: December 28. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.
Director, Filing, Disclosure and Compliance Division, Michigan Secretary of State’s Office— This position serves as the Director of the Bureau of Elections’ Filings, Disclosure and Compliance Division. The Division is responsible for administering the Campaign Finance Act, Lobbyist Registration Act, Casino Registration Act, portions of the Michigan Election Law, and Notary Public Act. This position is responsible for managing and overseeing multiple complex work units and other professional staff; core programs related to campaign finance and lobby registration reporting, disclosure and compliance; Office of the Great Seal, including intake of enrolled bills and assignment of Public Act numbers, filing of Executive Orders and Executive Directives, document authentication and certification; state-level candidate filings for office and statewide initiative, referendum and constitutional amendment petition filings; and Bureau responsibilities related to the Board of State Canvassers. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.
Election Administrator, Hood County, Texas— Provides customer assistance necessary in structuring, organizing and implementing the voter registration process and the county election process. Examples of Important Responsibilities and Duties—Important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following: Perform voter registration duties and the duties of organizing and conducting elections for the county; Hire, supervise and train department employees and election workers; Custodian of election equipment and all election records; Effectively manage public relations for the Election Administrator office by providing election information, issuing press releases, conducting interviews and participating in interviews with the media; Prepare and present annual department budget for approval of the County Elections Commission; Make reports to and work closely with the County Election Commission as well as the County Commissioners Court; Provide the clerical assistance needed by the Commissioners Court in canvassing precinct election returns; Responsible for filing of petitions, determining their validity and any other matters preceding the ordering of the election; Be willing to work and possibly contract with other political subdivisions in the county for their election needs; Attend annual Texas Secretary of State Election Law Seminar and any other functions deemed necessary; Represent the county in an honest and professional manner; and Perform any and all other duties of an Election Administrator as set forth in the Texas Election Code. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.
Elections Analyst-Candidate Filings, Arizona Secretary of State’s Office— The Election Services Division of the Office of the Arizona Secretary of State is seeking a dedicated employee to serve as an Elections Analyst. This position will assist in administering elections, provide customer service to voters and the regulated community, communicate with Arizona counties, and maintain compliance with state and federal election laws. The main focus of the Election Analyst will be managing the candidate desk. Job Duties: Lead the planning and administering of the candidate petition review process, to include working with vendors and third parties to prepare and execute review process for candidate petitions. Develop training materials and handbooks. Present information to stakeholders and interested parties regarding the candidate filing process. Follow court challenges at the close of the candidate filing process. Maintain the candidate information on the webpage. Act as the primary contact for candidates and campaigns about the candidate filing process; Assist ballot measure desk lead in administering petition review process for initiatives, referendum, and recalls. Assist in developing training materials and handbooks for ballot measures. Assist in processing of circulator registrations related to petition circulation and creation of training materials and handbooks for circulator registrations; Act as subject matter expert in financial disclosure laws and regulations. Draft training materials and handbooks to assist filers in achieving compliance with disclosure requirements. Communicate with officeholders and proxies, judicial officers, and court administrators to provide accurate and concise filing information and instructions. Work with court administrators to track and inform new appointees of filing obligations. Track financial disclosure filings and initiate enforcement proceedings as necessary; Provide customer service to voters, election officials, and the general public regarding elections and voter registration. Provide support and guidance to the regulated community and the general public in areas of Elections Division oversight, including ballot measures, petition circulators, lobbyists, campaign finance, financial disclosures, etc.; As required, serve in a general capacity to accomplish Elections Division goals and meet deadlines. Provide support to upline managers by occasionally coordinating employee teams or working with specialized staff to complete projects. Assist fellow staff during periods of heavy volume; Help maintain all election-related information presented on the Secretary of State website, while ensuring content quality and functionality. Provide timely and accurate updates to election-related pages; and other duties as assigned as related to the position. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.
Elections Analyst-Public Records, Arizona Secretary of State’s Office— The Elections Division of the Office of the Arizona Secretary of State is seeking a dedicated employee to serve as an Election Analyst. Their main focus will be to fulfill public records requests submitted to the Elections Division. They will report to the Senior Elections Policy Manager. Job Duties: Responsible for receiving, reviewing, and fulfilling public records requests and litigation discovery requests. This process includes the following tasks: tracking requests; communicating with the requester on topics such as fulfillment guidelines, costs, and updates on progress; coordinate collection and organization of responsive records by working with IT, elections, and other staff members; and reviewing and preparing documents for delivery; Responsible for records retention and document storage. Ensure Elections Division stores minimum hard copy documents consistent with the retention schedule; ensures that electronic records are properly maintained. Maintains records retention schedule, Iron Mountain storage, and schedules proper records destruction; Conducts ballot measure Town Halls. Organizing these events includes: scheduling venues; scheduling interpreters as needed (sign language, Spanish); conducting publicity and outreach; ensuring pro and con groups are represented; preparing and delivering presentation; Produces statewide Publicity Pamphlet by working with the vendor on layout, printing and proofing; coordinate the development of the household mailing list; ensuring pamphlets printed for English, Spanish, large print, and ADA; and ensure electronic version of pamphlet is appropriately distributed; Assist with voter registration quarterly reports, list maintenance, and other projects as assigned; Assist with customer service via phones and emails to voters, election officials, and the general public regarding elections and voter registration; and Other duties as assigned as related to the position. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.
Elections Director, Pima County, Arizona— The Director of Elections leads a department comprised of multiple complex and technical units responsible for the successful conduct of elections in Pima County with over 650,000 registered voters. The role is primarily strategic, operations, and leadership-focused, requiring experience and expertise in the field of conducting elections, elections policy, leading and managing employees to success. Under administrative direction of the County Administrator or designee, this position plans, organizes, supervises and manages the activities of the Pima County Elections Division in compliance with applicable laws, ordinances, rules and regulations. This classification is in the unclassified service and is exempt from the Pima County Merit System Rules. Salary: $125,000. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.
Elections Division Supervisor, Lewis and Clark County, Montana— The Treasurer’s Office is recruiting for a Elections Division Supervisor to join their team! Under the general supervision of the Treasurer, Clerk and Recorder, this position supervises the daily activities of the Elections Division of the Clerk/Treasurer’s Office. Duties and Responsibilities: Prepares, supervises and conducts all aspects of elections, including but not limited to federal, state, county, city, school, and special purpose district elections; Monitors legislative processes and changes that would impact operations; Meets election deadlines; Prepares for the opening and closing of candidate filing, receives candidate filing forms; Publishes notices, closes registration, and supervises late registration and in-person absentee voting; Provides supervision and leadership for Elections Department staff; Conducts performance appraisals, approves timecards and participates in recruitment and termination processes; Works with employees to correct deficiencies, including implementing disciplinary decisions; Certifies, orders and proofs ballot layout; Prepares for and oversees the mailing of absentee and mail ballots. Performs receipts, reconciliations, chain of custody, and tabulation of voted absentee and mail ballots; Schedules, staffs, and supplies polling places; Conducts post-election audits and canvass activities for local elections; Maintains voter registration database to include the issuing and processing of voter registration and absentee applications, conducting voter list maintenance in accordance with state and federal law (National Voter Registration Act or NVRA mailings), and maintaining voter history files; Provides and/or coordinates staff training and cross-training; Responds to questions and requests from the public and press; Prepares and posts social media content and maintains website content; Selects and coordinates work with third party vendors; Communicates with local governing bodies on their elections; Assigns and reviews regular and special projects; and Performs other duties as assigned. Salary: Base Pay: $29.05 – $30.76 / Hour. Deadline: December 26. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.
Elections Office Technician, Yavapai County, Arizona— The Elections Office Technician is a full-time position within the Yavapai County Elections Department. Major responsibilities include: Recruiting, interviewing, training, and overseeing poll workers; Processing candidate, special district and committee forms and paperwork, including campaign finance reports; Maintaining various databases for the Elections Department; Communicating with various stakeholders and the public; and Performing general office duties including ordering supplies, processing invoices, and filing. 2 years of professional experience in administration of elections, project planning, or adult learning required. Preference to applicants with experience in Microsoft Access. Salary: Salary $18.30 – $22.33 / hr, DOE. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.
Elections Special Project and Training Coordinator, Ohio Secretary of State’s Office— The Ohio Secretary of State is currently seeking candidates for an Elections Special Project and Training Coordinator. The duties of the position include but are not limited to: Under direct supervision of Deputy Elections Administrator and Elections Administrator; assists in planning, implementing, providing support & administering special projects associated with Elections Division (e.g., Election Night Reporting (“ENR”) system, Election Official Mentorship program, Elections poll worker training programs, Safe at Home); plans, coordinates & executes conferences & trainings related to Elections Division (e.g., Summer Conference, New Election Official Training, Online Poll worker Training); assists in providing liaison services to county Board of Elections (BOE) & other constituents to resolve concerns & identify resolutions to issues. Assist with projects within the elections division (e.g., ballot language, petition processing); independently responds to complex &/or confidential issues & correspondence (e g., BOE; general public inquiries) involving state & federal laws & rules; serves as liaison between Elections Administrator, Elections Counsel & Elections staff in order to convey & implement decisions, policies & procedures of elections-related programs; coordinates & reviews various materials related to elections issues (e.g., preparation of briefing, back-up materials, training requirements); Provides technical assistance with online poll worker training (e.g. password reset). ; reviews office forms & referral projects. Other duties as assigned (e.g., assist data entry; scanning documents; retention of records & filing; organize office; sort mail); responds to general inquiries from the public & directs inquiries to other staff members when appropriate. Salary: $59,987 negotiable based on experience. Deadline: December 28. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.
Elections Support Specialist, Marion County, Oregon— his position is responsible for defining the election in the Oregon Centralized Voter Registration (OCVR) and election management system; designing, printing, proofing and testing ballots in the Hart Verity system; then, with Election Board Workers, scanning, resolving, tallying and reporting results. This position develops and publishes the Voter Pamphlet. This position manages the return envelope scanner/sorter operation and labeling outgoing military/overseas, out-of-state and supplemental ballot packets. This position manages the Clerks Office website. This is both a technical and a customer service position. Salary: $24.99 – $33.50 Hourly. Deadline: Jan. 3, 2022. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.
Fellowship, Arizona Secretary of State’s Office— The Arizona Secretary of State’s Office Elections Fellowship Program offers recent graduates who are interested in public service the opportunity to spend up to 12 months working with the Elections Division in the Arizona Secretary of State’s Office. The Elections Division advances the Secretary of State’s mission of ensuring a fair and secure election process across Arizona. The 2021-2022 fellows will have the exciting opportunity to work with our office during a midterm election cycle. The main fellowship duties will include work that advances the Secretary of State’s responsibilities regarding voter registration and data tracking. This position will be a good fit for someone who is detail-oriented and interested in learning more about elections administration. Throughout their fellowship, fellows will participate in monthly check-in meetings with an Elections team lead to receive guidance and feedback. Job Duties: Assisting with proofing voter registration statistics, researching voter cancelations, assisting uniformed and overseas citizens with voter registration and casting a ballot, election night reporting, proofing the official canvas, and other administrative duties; Maintaining and organizing records to track statutory voter registration list maintenance and election reporting requirements; Conducting document review to support the Office’s public records responses; Researching and responding to public inquiries; and Other duties and responsibilities as related to the position. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.
Government Services Strategy Impact and Learning Associate, CTCL— Election officials want to administer elections where every eligible voter can easily and securely cast their vote. But moving from intention to real-world impact can be challenging, especially without evidence of what works and what doesn’t work. As the Strategy, Impact, & Learning Associate on CTCL’s Government Services team, you will help measure and maximize the impact of CTCL’s work supporting election officials. You will identify metrics, design evaluations, coordinate with partners, and collect and analyze data. You will contribute to a culture of learning at the heart of CTCL’s Gov Services team, which will expand outward to our partners that work directly with election offices, and expand further outward to every election office in the country. You will be filling a new position and will report to the Senior Strategy, Impact, and Learning Manager. If you care about democracy, if you believe in the importance of public service, and if you love to exceed expectations, this is the job for you. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.
In-Person Absentee Coordinator, Charleston County, South Carolina— This is a managerial position that provides supervision in the daily operation and management of the front of the office, in-person absentee voting, and candidate filing. Supervises both permanent and temporary employees during in-person absentee voting for elections. Responsible for management of each satellite absentee location, as well as hiring/training absentee poll workers. Provides operational supervision of voting processes from the deployment of voting equipment to receipt and security in absentee voting. Salary: $48,722 – $66,276. Deadline: Jan. 31. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.
Michigan Regional Services Manager, Hart InterCivic— Hart InterCivic is looking for a Michigan-based Regional Services Manager. A Hart Michigan Service Manager is a highly motivated “self-starter” who responds to all customer requests ranging from training requests, to phone support requests, to onsite repair of voting equipment requests, to delivery and acceptance of new devices. This individual is the customer’s first line of support. The position requires residency in the State of Michigan. The Service Manager handles all Return Material Authorization (RMA) requests for internal and external customers for all Hart InterCivic Verity products within his/her region and provides on-site customer support and troubleshooting as needed. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.
Policy and Compliance Administrator, Denver, Colorado— The Elections Division provides comprehensive, nationally-recognized, election services for the City and County of Denver. These services include voter records management, voter services, petition management, election administration, elections operations, and strategic communications and outreach. The Elections program goal is to conduct fair, accurate, accessible, secure, transparent, efficient and reliable elections. Do you have a passion for serving others? If so, we want to hear from you! The City and County of Denver has an exciting opportunity for a Policy and Compliance Administrator to serve in the Office of the Clerk & Recorder Paul D. López.In this position, you will work with both divisions to ensure the office’s compliance with federal and state law. As a home rule municipality, Denver is uniquely situated to be involved with both state law and its own charter and ordinances. Additionally, as the Policy and Compliance Administrator, you can expect to: Interpret Denver and Colorado law to advise the Denver Clerk and Recorder on compliance issues related to his duties and the functions of the office; Draft legislation and administrative rules at the direction of the Clerk and Recorder; Serve as the Clerk’s legislative liaison to the Colorado General Assembly; Conduct research for policy determinations as directed by the Clerk and Recorder; Meet with stakeholders and members of the community to achieve the Clerk’s policy goals; Conduct comparative research and keep track of court cases; Represent the Clerk on inter-agency and inter-governmental commissions, etc.; Build strategic relationships for the Clerk and Recorder’s Office with other governmental entities, including the Colorado County Clerks’ Association; Coordinate with the City Attorney’s office to determine the Clerk’s legal strategy for litigation; Perform other duties as assigned or requested; and Assignments for this position are diverse in nature and require determining practical solutions in a fast-paced environment. Salary: $83,348 – $137,524. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.
Program Manager Sr. II (Assistant Deputy for Election Policy), Maryland State Board of Elections—The Assistant Deputy for Election Policy provides senior leadership on all matters related to the implementation and execution of election laws and policy and supervises the Voter Registration and Petition Division, the Candidacy and Campaign Finance Division, and the Election Reform and Management Division. This position coordinates policy development and implementation, provides oversight for all election-related functions and services, and ensures a uniform and coordinated agency approach by managing work and issues impacting one or more of these divisions. The position supports the agency’s core mission by ensuring Maryland elections are conducted accurately, fairly, and in a manner fully consistent with State and federal laws and regulations. Salary: $80,074.00 – $128,568.00/year. Deadline: Jan. 17, 2022. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.
Registrar of Voters, Orange County, California— Located on the Southern California coast with a culturally diverse population of 3 million, the County of Orange (Orange County) offers a high quality of life and a nearly perfect climate year-round. Orange County features excellence in education, low crime rate, a wide variety of businesses, and unlimited recreational opportunities. The County is seeking a dynamic leader with a strong elections experience, who is a visionary and a proven leader in communities, and involved at the highest levels of government at the federal, state, and local level in proven leadership positions. The ideal candidate will have high levels of integrity and be highly politically astute while maintaining absolute objectivity. A combination of education and experience that demonstrates the competency and ability to perform the duties of the position is qualifying. Typically, 10 years of progressively responsible experience in the election-related field and a Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Political Science, Business Administration, or a related field would be qualifying. A Master’s degree is highly desirable. Certification as a Certified Elections/Registration Administrator (CERA) is highly preferred. Salary: $125,153.60 – $237,348.80. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.
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