electionline Weekly

Ethics in Election Administration

Ethics in Election Administration
Election Center and Auburn revisiting ethical guiding principles

“Freedom can best be maintained and nurtured through the democratic process. The success of the democratic process requires fair and open elections which accurately reflect the will of the electorate.”

In 1997, these words from the Election Center’s Task Force on Election Reform introduced the Principles of Election/Registration Officials and its companion Standards of Conduct for Election/Registration Officials, developed by the nation’s election administrators and voter registrars as the ethical standard for the field.

The Election Center and Auburn University are again revisiting the ethical principles that guide the field in its Ethics in Election Administration research project, which began in 2021 in response to concerns about public trust in elections raised during the 2020 election.

“Trust in election administration has never faced greater challenges,” said Stephen Richer, Maricopa County, Arizona Recorder. “Election officials throughout the country must meet and create solutions.”

Partnering with Auburn University faculty, the Election Center has expanded into applied research and practice through the Institute for Election Administration Research & Practice, which has been awarded funding from Square One Foundation to pursue practical tools that link communications, ethics, and public trust in elections.

“Right now the American people want reassurance that our elections are secure and fair,” said Sarah Greathouse, member of the Montgomery County, Ohio board of elections. “Defining ethical standards is vital to showing that elections are run by people who are trustworthy and hold each other accountable.”

Election Center members and election system stakeholders met December 1-2 in Chicago in initial focus groups to build on the framework developed by Auburn professors Kathleen Hale and Mitchell Brown.

“Maintaining the highest ethical standards in this challenging environment is essential to building trust with the public and giving voters confidence that their ballot was counted as cast,” said Lawrence Norden, senior director of the Election and Government Program at the Brennan Center, one of the stakeholders. “We look forward to working with the Elections Center, Auburn University, and other partners to develop an updated set of ethical guidelines for the profession that’s built on the best practices that many election officials across the country are already doing every day.”

According to former local election official and new Election Center CEO of Programs Tammy Patrick, election officials take their oath of office very seriously—having a set of principles and standards of conduct is the logical extension of that commitment and is the cornerstone of the election profession.

“We can take nothing for granted in this moment. We must rally around the core principles of the election profession and remind each other that we are in this together, standing strong in the face of adversity we cannot take for granted the most basic tenets of the life’s work so many have embraced.”

Input from the focus group will inform the development of new communication tools for the field, as well as enhanced training for local election officials through the Election Center in its CERA/CERV Program, the national certification program for election officials, voter registrars, and election equipment vendors.

“Now is the time to revisit those commitments, to remind ourselves and the public being served of the seriousness of the tasks at hand, and to renew our pledge to protect, to nurture, and to defend this Great Experiment,” Patrick said.

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Election News This Week

Continued Threats to Democracy: This week States United Democracy Center, Protect Democracy, and Law Forward released a December update to the 2022 volume of their report A Democracy Crisis in the Making: How State Legislatures are Politicizing, Criminalizing, and Interfering with Elections. The report update provides an updated analysis of the nationwide trend of partisan state legislatures considering laws that increase the risk of election subversion, and examines the impact of the 2022 midterms on that risk. Over the course of the year, state legislatures considered a range of proposals that would increase the risk of election subversion. After the 2022 midterm elections, the risk of election subversion has materially decreased, as voters largely rejected election denier candidates for statewide office in key battleground states. That said, the risk of election subversion is still present in state legislatures as we head toward 2023 legislative sessions, and the 2024 election season. “As we warned, the modern election subversion movement burst with activity in the wake of 2020, as legislatures sought to undermine the will of the voters and put the health of our democracy at risk by implementing a wide variety of proposals aimed at increasing the possibility of election subversion,” said Victoria Bassetti, senior counsel for the States United Democracy Center. “We tracked over 400 attempts to pass legislation that would put free and fair elections on the chopping block in states across the country. But during these past midterm elections, voters displayed a vigilant rejection of these hyper-partisan actors and stood firm to protect some of the most at risk states from falling into turmoil. As we head towards 2024, we will continue to analyze the anti-democracy playbook to ensure we can keep them from changing the rules and changing the game in their favor.”

Internet Voting: UC Berkeley’s Center for Security in Politics has released a Statement on Developing Standards for Internet Ballot Return. Made up of a non-partisan group of experts from politics, election administration, academia, and technology, the working group was charged with determining the kinds of technical and implementation standards needed to ensure safe and secure internet ballot return. The group was convened with support from Tusk Philanthropies.  “Internet ballot return has the potential to serve voters experiencing barriers to more traditional forms of voting,” said Mike Garcia, a cybersecurity and election security expert who chaired the working group. “It could also be valuable in the event of broad disruptions like wildfires or floods. But current technology cannot provide the level of security needed for widespread use in public elections—at least not yet.” “We are living through a time of intense skepticism about elections when the very foundations of the democratic process are under threat,” said CSP director and former homeland security secretary Janet Napolitano. “It is imperative that voting accessibility be balanced with security, transparency, and equity. The working group brought their expertise to bear on this important topic, and I thank them for their service.” The working group noted the need for more research into possible technological solutions for internet voting. They urged increased investment at all levels of government to ensure elections that are accessible and secure, regardless of voting method.

Good Trouble: The U.S. Postal Service announced this week that they will honor U.S. Rep. John Lewis (D-Georgia) on a postage stamp in 2023. From the Postal Service’s announcement: “Devoted to equality and justice for all Americans, Lewis spent more than 30 years in Congress steadfastly defending and building on key civil rights gains that he had helped achieve in the 1960s. Even in the face of hatred and violence, as well as some 45 arrests, Lewis remained resolute in his commitment to what he liked to call “good trouble.” The stamp features a photograph of Lewis taken by Marco Grob on assignment for the Aug. 26, 2013, issue of Time magazine.” Lewis died at the age of 80 in 2020. “I’m honored that this new stamp will join Atlanta’s John R. Lewis Post Office in honoring a great man and a guiding light for justice and moral clarity,” Rep. Nikema Williams (D-Ga.) said in a tweet celebrating the announcement.

Happy Holidays: We hope you enjoy this holiday video from the good folks at the Wake County, North Carolina Board of elections as much as we did!

Pick Flick!: We would be remiss if we did not include the news that Reese Witherspoon will star in and produce a sequel to the greatest election movie ever made, Election. “Tracy Flick Can’t Win” will follow up on the 1999 film that documented a high-stakes student government election as overachieving Tracy goes head-to-head with social studies teacher Jim McAllister, played by Matthew Broderick, who sabotages Tracy’s campaign. Published in 2022, Tom errotta’s satirical dark comedy “Tracy Flick Can’t Win” charts Tracy’s life into adulthood as she climbs her way to political power. Perrotta will also serve as executive producer for the adaptation. “Election” director and co-writer Alexander Payne will return to direct and will write the film adaptation with Jim Taylor. The movie will air on Paramount+

Personnel News: Deborah Scroggin is resigning as the Oregon director of elections.  Haverhill, Massachusetts City Clerk Linda Koutoulas is retiring. Taryn Power is the new Summit County, Colorado clerk and recorder. Jamie Rodriguez has been appointed Washoe County, Nevada registrar of voters. Sara Rosene is retiring as the Grand County, Colorado clerk and recorder. Nancy Dahlstrom is the new director of elections for the State of Alaska. Tammy O’Donnell is stepping down as the Cumberland, Maine clerk. The six-member San Francisco Elections Commission reversed its previous decision to open a broad search for an elections director, rather than hand the current director, John Arntz, a new five-year term at the helm. Teri Foulcard is the new St. Mary Parish registrar of voters. Elizabeth Lowe is the new Rockport, Maine clerk. Klint Bush has been suspended from his job as Liberty County, Texas elections administrator. Businessman Brandon Trosclair has announced his candidacy for Louisiana secretary of state. County Commissioner John Tobia has filed paperwork to run for Brevard County supervisor of elections in 2024.

Legislative Updates

Houston County, Alabama: Poll workers in Houston County will get a bump in pay from proposed local legislation that received support from the Houston County Commission this week. Probate Judge Patrick Davenport, whose office oversees elections, asked commissioners to adopt a resolution in favor of the local legislation, which will now have to be advertised. The pay increase would take effect for the 2024 election. Poll workers currently receive $110 for about 20 to 25 hours of work, Davenport said. The chief inspector at each polling place receives $150. Under the increases, poll workers would be paid $125 and the chief inspector would be paid $200. The local legislation also creates a deputy chief inspector position for each poll site. That individual would serve as second in command to the chief inspector and be paid $150. “We have an amazing group of poll workers that are dedicated election after election after election,” Davenport told county commissioners. “They come and serve and they spend a lot of time in training; and then as you gentlemen know, the Election Day is a long day at the polling location. We have not been able to provide them a compensation increase in some time.”

Boston, Massachusetts: Coming on the heels of legislation to lower the voting in Beantown, the Boston City Council is considering expanding the franchise to  yet-to-be-determined categories of immigrants with a hearing. Councilor Kendra Lara, who represents Jamaica Plain and West Roxbury, said she will attempt to clear a path for immigrant voting, though she is still strategizing about the appropriate legal mechanism.  “It’s definitely going to come in 2023,” she told GBH News, “whether it be with a home rule petition, a charter referendum or an ordinance.” How the city would define “immigrants with legal status,” Lara said, remains an open question to be solved once a proposal is put forward. A notification a hearing on the issue defined the term with several specific categories of non-citizens including “lawful permanent residents,” also known as green card holders, “visa holders, Temporary Protected Status recipients, and Deferred Actions for Childhood Arrivals recipients.”

Muskegon County, Michigan: A merger of the clerk and register of deeds offices in Muskegon County has passed a preliminary vote by the county board of commissioners. Democratic Commissioner Susie Hughes, who is the board’s vice chair, sided with Republicans in the 5-3 vote in favor of the merger. Republican board Chair Bob Scolnik was absent. Efficiencies and cost savings were cited for the reason to merge. Online options to complete business with both offices have reduced the workload, proponents also argued. During an earlier, required hearing on the matter, the board was warned by clerks and register of deeds from elsewhere in the state – including those running combined offices – not to pursue a merger because there are not cost savings. On a second reading, the bill failed to gain the two-thirds majority necessary to approve the merger, according to state law. Board Chair Bob Scolnik, who cast the deciding vote, said though he believes the offices should be merged, this was not the right time to do so.

New York City: The City Council voted to approve an elections-related bill introduced by Flushing Councilwoman Sandra Ung.  The bill would simplify ballots used in ranked-choice voting (RCV) elections and the second bill would facilitate recruitment of top talent to work at city agencies. For ranked-choice voting, Intro 696 would replace the form language that the Board of Elections uses for the instructions on RCV ballots with clearer language using fewer words. The legislation also requires that non-English text be arranged so that it is easily comparable to the corresponding English text. Ung says she looks forward to these common sense ballot changes being implemented in time for the June 2023 primaries.   “New Yorkers pulled off the largest ranked-choice voting election in the history of the U.S. when they went to the polls in last year’s June primary,” Ung said. “This new law will simplify the ballot and make it easier to understand, encouraging all voters, especially those with limited English proficiency, to take advantage of the opportunity to rank their preferred candidates and strengthen the democratic process.”

Ohio: A bill originally authored to get rid of certain election days has been expanded to require photo IDs for in-person voting and codifying a limit on ballot drop boxes. House Bill 458 passed the Ohio Senate on December 13 on a 24-6 vote after additions were added by the Senate Local Government and Elections Committee. Additions to the bill included requiring a valid photo ID when a person votes in person on the day of an election, and those voting absentee in person. Those who can’t show a photo ID in person will be required to cast a provisional ballot and return to the local board of elections four days after the election, a change from the previous seven days voters had to “cure” their ballot. The absentee voting period is shortened under the bill as well, with the deadline changing from three days before an election to a week before. Curbside voting will be removed as an option for many voters, according to the bill, unless the voter has a disability rendering them “physically unable to enter a polling place.” The boards of elections will now have shortened deadlines as well, specifically when it comes to counting absentee and provisional ballots. Under the bill, they will be required to start counting late-arriving and “cured” absentee and provisional ballots five days after the election, rather than the current timeline, in which they start the count 11 days after. Drop boxes are limited to one per board of elections site, a point of controversy for voting rights advocates over the years. The original bill, the language for which stayed in the version passed by the Senate, eliminates August special elections, except when a school district in fiscal emergency needs one. At 12:30 a.m. on December 15 — after an earlier break for a holiday party — the House approved the legislation by vote of 55 to 32.

According to The Columbus Dispatch, Ohio lawmakers appear to be shelving a controversial proposal that would have made it harder to amend the state constitution − at least for now. House Speaker Bob Cupp said that it’s “doubtful” lawmakers will take up the resolution this week before they adjourn for the rest of the year. The measure, if passed and approved by voters, would have required 60% of voters to enact proposed constitutional amendments, instead of a simple majority of 50% plus one. The resolution, introduced by state Rep. Brian Stewart, R-Ashville, needed to clear the state House and Senate with 60% of the vote to be placed on the ballot. Secretary of State Frank LaRose urged the Legislature to pass it before the end of the year so he could put the ballot question before voters in May.

Pennsylvania: Democratic Rep. Daniel Deasy of Allegheny County’s impending bill would enable county boards of election to establish early voting sites that would open 15 days before primary and general election dates. The sites would have uniform operating days and hours and would be required to be open at least eight hours on each weekday and a total of eight hours on weekends. Deasy said his legislation would require county election board to monitor early voters to ensure they don’t vote again at another early voting site or on Election Day. “Pennsylvania only has early voting by allowing voters to request a mail-in ballot at a county elections office, wait for it to get approved on the spot, fill it out, and turn it back in immediately,” Deasy wrote in a memo to colleagues. “I propose a devoted system of true early voting, at more locations, which will increase voting access for our constituents.”

Texas: According to NBC News, Republicans are laying the groundwork to move quickly on a number of new changes to the state’s voting laws, including a proposal to create an election police force like the one Florida enacted before the 2022 midterms. As of last week, GOP legislators had already prefiled 20 bills in the Texas House and Senate. When the legislative session begins in January, they’re likely to consider many of them seriously.  Most of the bills fall into three categories: legislation that would impose harsher penalties for infractions; expand the state attorney general’s authority to prosecute election and voting crimes; and create a new law enforcement unit dedicated exclusively to enforcing and prosecuting election and voting crimes. The new bills “all kind of generally fit under the bucket of criminalizing voters and voting behavior, and just generally turn elections into crime scenes, where there is this presumption that there is some kind of widespread illegal conduct or activity, despite the fact that there is no evidence that’s the case,” said Liz Avore, a senior policy adviser at Voting Rights Lab, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that tracks voting and state election bills. Texas Democrats have also been busy, prefiling 42 bills already, all of which, in various ways, aim to ease existing restrictions on voting and voter registration. Advocates note, however, that most aren’t likely to advance in the state, where Republicans hold both chambers of the Legislature as well as the governorship.

Legal Updates

Arizona: Former candidate for governor Kari Lake filed a lawsuit asking the courts to set aside her electoral loss to Democrat Katie Hobbs and declare her the winner instead. If a judge won’t declare her the winner, Lake wants an order requiring Maricopa County to re-do the gubernatorial election. That filing came within a five-day window from certification of the election result that is set in Arizona law, and on the same day that several defeated Republican candidates filed their own challenges. Lake’s 70-page lawsuit includes a laundry list of problems and allegations related to the Nov. 8 election, including echoing many claims she has raised in recent weeks over long lines and printer issues creating “chaos” at voting locations. She claims “hundreds of thousands of illegal ballots infected the election in Maricopa County. The lawsuit also references issues that were raised, and repeatedly debunked, in the aftermath of the 2020 presidential contest and the subsequent Arizona Senate review of the Maricopa County election. Many of the claims in Lake’s lawsuit lacked supporting evidence, or were said to come from eyewitness or “expert” accounts that The Arizona Republic could not independently verify. The lawsuit alleges “intentional misconduct” leading to problems with machines and that ballots were “illegally injected” into the election by county contractors. She claims between 15,600 and 26,200 voters were disenfranchised by “catastrophic failures of tabulators” at Election Day voting sites, though the issues were actually with printers, and she cites an opinion poll of 800 voters as the basis to extrapolate that tens of thousands were disenfranchised.

Democratic Secretary of State-elect Adrian Fontes and Secretary of State Katie Hobbs have filed motions to dismiss Republican Mark Finchem’s lawsuit seeking to overturn his loss in the secretary of state race.  Last week, Finchem and failed congressional candidate Jeff Zink filed a suit demanding the courts overturn Fontes’ and Rueben Gallego’s midterm election wins, and making sprawling claims of election malfeasance at the hands of Maricopa County and Hobbs.  The lawsuit includes no evidence that ballot tabulators malfunctioned anywhere in Arizona — the issues in Maricopa County were caused by malfunctioning ballot printers — or that voters were disenfranchised. This week Finchem filed a new amended lawsuit which did not include Zink, who lost his election to Gallego, an incumbent Democratic congressman, by more than 50 percentage points. Finchem wants his election loss to Fontes overturned, a statewide hand-recount of all ballots and a court order that the attorney general investigate Hobbs for what he claims was self-dealing and threatening public officials.

California: The Kern County Elections office filed a petition with the Kern County Superior Court on Monday after discovering unopened 10 mail-in ballots they say are eligible for counting. “The Kern County Auditor-Controller-County Clerk’s office remains dedicated to counting every eligible vote cast in the November 8, 2022 General Election,” Kern County Registrar of Voters Mary Bedard wrote in a news release. “Once the ballots were determined to be eligible, we had to determine what our legal options were,” Bedard explained in a later email. “The petition was filed and press release sent out once we knew what we could legally do to remedy the situation.” The 2022 midterm election ballots were certified on Thursday and recognized at a 9 a.m. county Board of Supervisors meeting that convened a special session. The California Secretary of State will certify results on Dec. 16. The petition asks for an extension to the certification deadline, to allow the ballots to be included as “a supplement to the certification of the results.”

Colorado: A U.S. appeals court upheld nearly $187,000 in monetary sanctions against two lawyers who filed and lost an “utterly baseless” lawsuit challenging Democrat Joe Biden’s 2020 presidential win over his Republican rival Donald Trump. The unanimous ruling by a three-judge panel of the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Colorado said Denver attorneys Gary Fielder and Ernest Walker must pay the legal fees of election equipment maker Dominion Voting Systems Inc, Facebook parent Meta Platforms Inc and other defendants accused in the lawsuit of meddling in the election. The Denver-based appeals court affirmed the sanction based on the “inherent power” of judges and also a federal law that says a lawyer can be liable for costs for “unreasonably and vexatiously” extending a court case. “An attorney is expected to exercise judgment, and must ‘regularly re-evaluate the merits’ of claims and ‘avoid prolonging meritless claims,'” 10th Circuit Chief Judge Jerome Holmes, sitting with Circuit Judges Timothy Tymkovich and Veronica Rossman, wrote in their unsigned order. The panel called the legal arguments underpinning the case “utterly baseless.”

Michigan: The Michigan Supreme Court closed Kalamazoo lawyer and former attorney general candidate Matthew DePerno’s nationally watched lawsuit alleging Antrim County’s 2020 election was mishandled and fraudulent. A Michigan Supreme Court order denied DePerno’s final appeal after a state appeals court and a lower court dismissed the suit: “(W)e are not persuaded that the questions presented should be reviewed by this Court.” DePerno, representing plaintiff and Antrim County resident Bill Bailey, argued to the Michigan Court of Appeals that Bailey has a right to conduct an independent audit of election results. Conservative Supreme Court Justice David Viviano agreed with his colleagues in a concurring opinion Friday, although he added the high court should address proper interpretation of a citizen’s audit right. “But whatever (that right) means,” Viviano wrote, “it surely cannot be that each qualified elector can undertake his or her own separate audit of an election.”

Nebraska: The declared loser in an election for Nebraska state legislature argued in court that a machine count of ballots cast is unreliable. He is demanding state election officials stage a recount by hand; maintaining state law provides him that opportunity. Attorneys for the State of Nebraska dispute state law specifies a hand recount as an option in contested elections. Hearing the case, Lancaster District Court Judge Kevin McManaman raised questions that reflected his skepticism about the unusual request. Russ Barger of Lincoln lost the general election in Legislative District 26 to George Dungan by 224 votes, or a difference of more than 1% of the ballots cast. State law only allows for an automatic recount if the margin falls under the 1% threshold. Barger’s race does not meet that threshold, but he wants to pay for the recount with his own money. Barger’s attorney, David Begley, told the judge, “the human eyeball can catch something the machines might miss.” In an attempt to force a recount, Barger filed a “writ of mandamus,” which asks a judge to force a segment of the government to perform its duties properly. In this case, Barger argued, Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen, a Republican, failed to proceed with a recount as requested. Evnen’s office oversees elections at the state level.

New York: A panel of Appellate Division, Second Department justices ruled that nearly 100 previously rejected absentee ballots cast in the race for Assembly District 23 will be sent back to the individual voters to be “cured.” The ruling opens the door for 94 ballots to be re-entered into a race where only one vote separates candidates Thomas Sullivan and Stacey Pheffer Amato, who currently holds the lead. The decision, issued after the parties argued the case on Monday, alters but doesn’t outright reject a decision issued by Queens Supreme Court Justice Joseph Risi earlier this month. Risi ordered the city’s Board of Elections to count the ballots as is, citing time concerns – it’s been well over a month since the votes have been cast.  At the heart of both the appellate justice and Risi’s ruling was the fact the Board of Elections failed to notify the 94 voters that their ballots had been rejected, as they are required to do by law.  “The Board failed to perform its duty under the Election Law,” the justices said in the decision. “Accordingly, the Supreme Court should have granted the petition to the extent of directing the Board to comply with [the law] by notifying each of the 94 voters whose absentee ballots were invalidated…of the invalidation of his or her absentee ballot, the reason for such invalidation, and the opportunity and procedure to cure the defect by filing a cure affirmation.” As per decision, the BOE will now be required to notify the 94 voters, and give them an opportunity to fix their ballots and finally make their voice heard in the closest race in recent New York City electoral history.

Ohio: Joshua Russell, 44 of Bucyrus was charged in federal court with making interstate threats. Russell was arrested last week and made his first appearance December 12 in Cleveland. U.S. District Magistrate Judge Jonathan Greenberg ordered Russell jailed until a hearing on his detention Thursday. His case will be likely transferred to federal court in Arizona. The charges listed in court records do not name Hobbs specifically, but quoted material in an FBI affidavit matches verbatim a threatening voicemail left at Hobbs’ Secretary of State office. Russell sent three threats to Hobbs’ Secretary of State office, the first coming on Aug. 2, according to court records. He called Hobbs a traitor and said she did nothing to protect the integrity of the 2020 election. “You better put your sh—, your f—–g affairs in order, ‘cause your days are extremely numbered,” Russell said on the voicemail, according to court records. “America’s coming for you, and you will pay with your life, you communist f—–g traitor b—h.” On Sept. 9, Russell left another message, calling Hobbs a terrorist and saying that she’s lucky she’s “still walking around on this planet,” court records say. Russell left another voicemail on Nov. 15, the day after Hobbs won the governor’s election, in which he said: “A war is coming for you. And we will stop, at no end, until you are in the ground.” He added that she’d “signed her own death warrant.”

Pennsylvania: President Judge Edward Guido has dismissed a petition to recount of votes cast at the northwestern Cumberland County polling place in the Nov. 8 election. In rejecting the petition, Guido wrote that the residents did not allege any act of fraud or error to justify a recount under the law.

Chester County Common Pleas Court Judge Jeffrey Sommer has denied the request to open ballot boxes in almost a dozen precincts across the county where Democratic candidates were overwhelming successful by voters who said they believed that election fraud had occurred there. In a withering 17-page decision, Sommer tuned aside the contentions by the voters that they should get access to the ballots to prove that there had been some sort of skulduggery in the election, evidence of which the attorney representing them said existed but which he refused to produce. Sommer filed his order denying the request “with prejudice,” meaning the litigants are legally prohibited from re-filing their demands in Common Pleas Court.

Two members of the Lycoming County Patriots group filed a suit against Lycoming County officials on Dec. 6 for failing to conduct a forensic audit of the 2020 election after they presented officials with alleged evidence of fraud. The lawsuit says the plaintiffs had shown the commissioners “evidence of fraud, numerous irregularities, and violations of the Election Code.” However, the commissioners have not done the forensic audit of the election as the group requested, nor have they investigated the fraud claims, they said. The plaintiffs are asking that the forensic audit be done by an independent third-party.

The top-ranking Republican in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives asked a court late last week to prevent voters from filling three vacant seats in February that will determine majority control of the chamber.  Rep. Bryan Cutler of Lancaster, who served as speaker until Nov. 30, asked Commonwealth Court to issue an injunction, naming the Department of State, acting Secretary of State Leigh Chapman and the Allegheny County Elections Board as defendants.  Cutler’s filing came days after his Democratic counterpart as floor leader, Rep. Joanna McClinton of Philadelphia, claimed the mantle of the chamber’s presiding officer and sent the state orders scheduling the elections for Feb. 7.

Opinions This Week

National Opinions: Vote-by-mail | Voting rights, II | Democracy, II, III | Youth turnout | Voter suppression | Funding | Election administration

Alaska: Voting system

Arizona: Election lawsuit

Florida: Election Day holiday

Georgia: Runoffs

Idaho: Secretary of state

Louisiana: Election integrity

Massachusetts: Vote by mail

Michigan: Recount

Nevada: Election reform

Ohio: Election legislation

Pennsylvania: Turnout

Tennessee: Early voting

Texas: Secretary of state, II

Virginia: Ranked choice voting

Washington: Election skeptics

Wisconsin: Democracy

Wyoming: Election fraud

Upcoming Events

Election Center Joint Elections Official Liaison Conference: Save the date! More information coming soon! Where: Arlington, Virginia. When: Jan. 11-14, 2023

EAC Technical Guidelines Development Committee Annual Meeting: The U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) Technical Guidelines Development Committee (TGDC) will hold its annual meeting tentatively on January 26, 2023. This meeting will be held virtually and live-streamed on the EAC’s YouTube Channel.  Registration is not required. When: January 26, 2023. Where: Online.

iGO 2023 Mid-Winter Conference: Check out the iGo website for more information about the tentative agenda. When: Jan. 28-Feb.1, 2023. Where: Glendale, Arizona.

NASS Winter Conference: Attendee registration for this event will open in December 2022 The cost to attend is $500 early/ $600 late (after January 24, 2023) for Secretaries of State, State Government Staff, NASS Corporate Affiliates and Federal Government Staff. The cost for Non-Profit Organizations to attend is $750 per person early/ $850 late (proof of valid non-profit status required). The cost for Corporate Non-Members to attend is $1300 per person early/ $1400 late. Registration for this event will close on Monday, February 6, 2023, or when registration capacity is fulfilled. On-site registration WILL NOT be available for this event. All event attendees are subject to the event anti-harassment policy and conference waiver of liability. There is no virtual option to attend. Press registration for this event will open on January 18, 2023 Further details and instructions will be posted on January 18. There is no cost for the press to attend. Virtual attendance will not be available. Where: Washington, DC. When: Feb. 15-18, 2023.

NASED Winter Conference: Save the date and check back for more details. When: Feb. 15-18. 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.

Assistant County Clerk-Recorder, Nevada County, California— Under administrative oversight you can be assisting with planning, organizing, directing and leading the activities of the County Clerk-Recorder’s office! The Assistant Clerk-Recorder will provide highly sophisticated staff assistance to the Clerk-Recorder! This management classification position serves at the will of the County Clerk-Recorder, and acts on her behalf in her absence and provides full line and functional management responsibility for the department’s Recorder and Election divisions. This position is distinguished from the County Clerk-Recorder in that the latter is an elected position and has overall responsibility for all functions of the department. Salary range: $111,810 – $136,500. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.

Assistant Director, Butler County, Pennsylvania— To supervise and direct the operational processes relating to voter registration, voting and elections, ensuring that voters’ rights are protected and votes are recorded and counted accurately. Assists the Director in implementing the day to day functions of the Elections Department. The incumbent supervises the non-exempt staff and answers voter and candidate questions or selects proper course of action to resolve problems. Assists Director in evaluating new technologies for election process. Consults with others regarding clarification of the Pennsylvania Election Code. Refers complex issues requiring clarification of the Pennsylvania Election Code or the Pennsylvania Constitution to the Director of Elections. A Bachelor’s Degree in a related field and/or equivalent work experience is required. Significant experience in Computer Science course work or equivalent is required. Prior work experience involving the electoral process is desirable, as is supervisory experience. Must be knowledgeable of State and County voting laws, regulations, procedures, and requirements. Computer, telephone and customer service skills are necessary. Salary: $45,129.18-$63,180.85. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.

Board of Elections Training Specialist, Wake County, North Carolina— Are you looking to get involved in your community? Do you want to make a difference? Are you passionate about learning? If so, get ready to roll up your sleeves and become part of something bigger! The Wake County Board of Elections is currently seeking an experienced Instructional Designer/Training Specialist to join our dynamic and driven Training Team. The ideal candidate will be a strong communicator who thrives in a fast paced, ever changing work environment. They will have a clear understanding of the commonly accepted instructional design models, what it takes to be a behind the scenes designer, have a strong visual sense and excellent project management skills. What will you do as a Board of Elections Training Specialist? Develop training materials, including classroom presentations, manuals, workbooks, training videos and online training modules to facilitate comprehensive training for Early Voting and Election Day Officials Review, evaluate and modify existing and proposed programs and recommend changes Create schedules, design layouts for training facilities and adjusts room layouts as necessary between in-person classes. Train and manage instructors and assistants for in-person training classes. Serve as instructor for some online webinars and in-person classes. Collaborate with team members to gain knowledge of work processes, identify training needs and establish plans to address the needs through training solutions. Identify innovative training tools and methods to enhance the training program. Monitor and assess election law changes and incorporate the changes into polling place procedures. Develop and design election forms, precinct official website, newsletters, assessments and other communications. Develop high level design documents, storyboards, audio narration scripts, status reporting, QA and testing plans. Assists with Early Voting site setups and call center support. Assists with Election Day call center support and post-election processes. Portfolios will be required by all applicants who are selected to move forward in the recruitment process. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.

Certification and Training Manager, Washington Secretary of State’s Office— The Program Manager for Certification & Training manages the provision of professional certification and training to state election administrators and canvassing board members in 39 Washington counties. The Certification and Training Program Manager reports to the Elections Director and is a member of the Elections Management Team that advises the Elections Director on direction and policy. The Program Manager is responsible for the administration of the Certification and Training Program of the Elections Division by providing strategic analysis, planning, and management of a program that includes four major functions. There functions are: 1) professional certification and training of local and state election administrators and county canvassing board members; 2) review of county election operations and procedures; 3) the election clearinghouse; and 4) testing of all vote tabulation equipment used in each county during state primary and general elections. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.

Chief Information Officer, Illinois State Board of Elections— Functions as Chief Information Officer (CIO) of the SBE Information Technology Systems.  Responsibilities encompass full range of information services; application design and development, system administration, data administration, operations, production control, and data communications. In conjunction with the Board, Executive Director, and Executive staff, the CIO determines the role of information systems in achieving Board goals.  Defines goals in terms of statutory obligations to be met, problems to be solved, and/or opportunities that can be realized through the application of computerized information systems.    Prepares and submits budget based projections of hardware, software, staff and other resource needs to adequately provide for existing systems, as well as support of new project initiatives.   Advises Executive Staff in matters relating to information technology.  Develops presentations and reports for the Board and Administrative Staff.  In conjunction with Executive Staff, evaluates system performance to determine appropriate enhancements. Salary: $7,885 – $13,237 Monthly. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.

Communications Specialist, The U.S. Election Assistance Commission— The employee and supervisor collaborate to develop the approach, timelines and general framework for projects and, within these parameters, the employee independently plans and carries out the work involved in developing, maintaining, and managing media communication, coordinating with others as appropriate, interpreting and applying policy, determining the content and format for media communication, and consulting with the supervisor on questionable content or issues. The Director of Communications assigns special projects and assignments, defining the nature of the assignment, objectives to be achieved, and resources available. The employee independently resolves most problems that arise, keeping the Director informed on unusual, sensitive or controversial matters. Completed work is reviewed for achievement of objectives and consistency with governing laws, regulations, policies, and the EAC strategic plan. Salary: $74,950 – $95,824. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.

Departmental Training Coordinator, DeKalb County, Georgia— The purpose of this classification is to develop, coordinate, deliver, and evaluate departmental training programs and learning solutions. The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned. Develops training programs for departmental employees; creates new and/or modifies existing courses and course materials; researches industry changes; and prepares activities and course assignments. Conducts training and facilitates in-house training programs for employees based on current trends and best practices. Assists employees in meeting certification and recertification requirements for mandated licensure and submits documents for license renewals. Coordinates training logistics to include training room, schedules, attendance tracking, passwords, supplies and set up; and selects or develops teaching aids including training handbooks, tutorials or quick reference guides . Administers and grades course assignments and exams; and tracks and analyzes learning curriculum effectiveness through various evaluations techniques including evaluation of individual performances. Maintains and prepares training and compliance records and prepares related documentation and reports; enters course exam grades; prepares training certificates; and updates compliance databases. Assists with internal departmental communications by preparing newsletters, promotional materials for training programs, flyers for departmental events, or related communications. Communicates with department management, supervisors, other employees, subject matter experts, schools, community groups, volunteers, the public, and other individuals as needed to coordinate work activities, review status of work, exchange information, or resolve problems. Maintains current knowledge of departmental business functions and operations to develop training programs and solutions for improving employee knowledge and performance within business units; and research training industry standards and best practices and applies new technologies. Salary: $52,815 – $81,862. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.

Deputy County Clerk, Boone County, Missouri— The Boone County (MO) Clerk’s Office seeks a deputy county clerk in its elections division. With general supervision, this clerk processes new and revised voter registrations, provides information to the public on candidates, ballot issues and other election information, determines ballot styles for walk-in absentee voters, verifies petitions, and performs related election duties. Salary: $15.45-$16.41/hr. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.

Deputy Director of Elections, Arapahoe County, Colorado— The Deputy Director of Elections position has direct responsibility for the entire Election Division. This position will direct complex administrative and supervisory work in activities. The Deputy Director of Elections supports the Chief Deputy Director and the Clerk and Recorder with issues concerning all operations of Elections. The following statements are illustrative of the essential function of the job. The following duty statements are illustrative of the essential functions of the job and do not include other non-essential or marginal duties that may be required. The County reserves the right to modify or change the duties or essential functions of the job at any time: Directs the long term strategic operation of the Election Division which may include but is not limited to, legislative tracking, budget development, business process analysis, data analysis, project management, coordination with external and internal stakeholders and overseeing senior management staff. Manages, and ensures statutory compliance of all election functions including: voting equipment, voter registration, mailing ballots, and providing access to voter service polling centers. Serves as the project manager and primary point of contact for election systems software and hardware vendors. Responsible for the evaluations of the Election staff as directed by the Chief Deputy Director and/or Clerk and Recorder. Informs the Chief Deputy Director and/or Clerk and Recorder on the status of projects and/or changes within the Division. Attends association and professional meetings to enhance and maintain knowledge of trends and developments in elections, as determined necessary by the Chief Deputy Director and/or Clerk and Recorder. Responds to inquiries, providing guidance and interpretation regarding application of the organization’s policies and procedures. Technical expert of election software, business processes, statutes, rules and regulations.  Voting equipment and election security subject matter expert. Responsible for overall timekeeping and leave within the Election Division. Salary: $78,780 – $125,866. Deadline: Jan. 8, 2023. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.

Director of Registration and Elections, Fulton County, Georgia— The County is seeking a Director of Registration and Elections (DRE). This position serves as the chief executive responsible for developing goals, objectives, policies, and procedures relating to voter registration and elections in Fulton County. The DRE also prepares, presents, and manages the department’s approved annual budget.  The DRE leads programs and services that ensure safe, free, and accessible voter registration and elections in the County. The DRE ensures accurate collection and maintenance of voter registration data and administers the county elections and associated services, which includes but is not limited to absentee balloting, voter registration, voter education and outreach. The Director collects information and validates candidates for elective office, ensures the availability of training for poll workers, and directs efforts to educate voters on elections in the county. The DRE performs other duties, including preservation, storage, preparation, testing and maintenance of departmental election equipment. Furthermore, the director oversees election district boundaries, and administers the selection of polling places in the county. Salary: $175K-$195K. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.

Director of Elections, Cumberland County, North Carolina— The Elections Director works under the administrative direction of the County Board of Elections and Executive Director of the State Board of Election. The Elections Director performs professional, managerial, and administrative work for the Board of Elections and carries out all duties or responsibilities as assigned by Chapter 163 of the General Statutes of the State of North Carolina and as delegated by members of the County Board in accordance with the laws of the State of North Carolina, GS 163-35 (d) and 163-33.  Reports to the Chairman of the Cumberland County Board of Elections. Salary: $78,784.40 – $132,425.23. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.

Division Director, Illinois State Board of Elections— Subject to Executive Director approval; oversees the administration of human resource programs including, but not limited to, compensation, payroll, benefits, and leave; disciplinary matters; disputes and investigations; performance and talent management; productivity, recognition, and morale; occupational health and safety; and training and development. Serves as the Board’s subject matter expert relating to personnel and human resource matters. Identifies staffing and recruiting needs; develops and executes best practices for hiring and talent management. Conducts research and analysis of Board trends including review of reports and metrics from human resource information systems. Recommends, implements, and ensures compliance with agency policies and procedures including, but not limited to, hiring, disciplinary actions, employee grievances, compensation plan, and employee performance evaluations. Creates and oversees human resource practices, programs, and objectives that provide for an employee-oriented culture that emphasizes collaboration, innovation, creativity, and knowledge transfer within a diverse team. Oversees the day-to-day administrative aspects of the Board’s personnel programs; accuracy of bi-monthly payrolls; benefits; quarterly and annual EEO/AA reporting; and, employee transaction documentation. Facilitates professional development, training, and certification activities for staff; development and maintenance of agency-wide training programs for on-boarding, staff development, and knowledge transfer. Responsible for the administration and oversight over all disciplinary matters; including: investigation of complaints; conducting witness interviews; documentation gathering; drafting and submittal of investigation findings to Executive Staff; advising Division Directors and Executive Staff on disciplinary matters; and, drafting of formal disciplinary reprimands in accordance with policy. Has administrative oversight of the Chief Fiscal Officer regarding budgetary and fiscal matters under the purview of the Division of Administrative Services. Supervises and evaluates subordinate staff; facilitates knowledge transfers and cross trainings; performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above. Salary: $6,023.00 – $12,374.00 Monthly. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.

Early Voting Coordinator, Wake County, North Carolina— re you looking to be more involved in your community? Are you ready to be a part of democracy in the making? If so, get ready to roll up your sleeves and become a part of history! Wake County Board of Elections is currently seeking an Early Voting Coordinator to join our dynamic and talented Early Voting Team. The Early Voting Coordinator plays a critical role in the management and logistical planning of Early Voting. This includes communicating, scheduling election service vendors and managing voting site support operations to include the physically demanding work of setting up Early Voting sites. What will you do as an Early Voting Coordinator? Plan and organize all Early Voting operations; Assist with development of Early Voting expansion budget items and analyze budget impacts of new election laws and state directives and incorporate the changes into Early Voting site procedures; Work with Town Clerks, Municipal Administrators, Facility Directors, Special Event Coordinators and Superintendents to secure use of facilities for Early Voting; Manage Early Voting facilities, including scheduling, communication, support, logistics, database management and site setups; Develop Early Voting ballot order and determine the distribution of ballots each Early Voting facility will receive; Update and maintain the Early Voting blog and Early Voting page of the Wake County Board of Elections website; Manage the Early Voting support Help Line; Post-election reconciliation duties to include provisional management, presentations to the Board and assisting with record retention. Salary: Hiring Range: $20.81 – $28.10. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.

Election Security Intelligence Analyst, Illinois State Board of Elections— Under administrative direction, serves as a team member identifying computer system vulnerabilities in partnership with the Illinois State Board of Elections and Department of Innovation and Technology for local election authorities and other state election partners. Identifies vulnerabilities and provides technical analysis and remediation recommendations for those affected computer systems, including forensic analysis for investigations, monitoring and reporting. Provides technical support to the Cyber Security Information Sharing Program Manager and Cyber Navigator Program Manager of the Illinois State Board of Elections Cyber Navigator Program in coordination with the Department of Innovation and Technology Security Operations Center.  Develops and recommends measures to safeguard systems before and after they are compromised.  Conducts monthly Tech Talks on election security and relevant cyber threats for local election authorities and their IT and security staff.  Develop annual cyber security training for local election authorities. Develops publications, guides, and other election security related resources for statewide distribution. Participates in the development of incident response plans, continuity of operation plans, and tabletop exercise training.  Serves on-call for emergency situations and Election Day.  Travel to attend training sessions, conferences, meetings, etc. is required. Serves as a team member identifying computer system vulnerabilities; reviews existing computer systems of local election authorities monitored by DoIT for security violations.  Document incidents as appropriate.  Perform analysis of systems for any weaknesses, technical flaws or vulnerabilities.  Identifies vulnerabilities and provides remediation recommendations for those affected computer systems, including forensic analysis for investigations, monitoring and reporting. Coordinates with regionally assigned cyber navigators to assist local election authorities information technology staff/vendor mitigate incidents or provide technical support. Monitors network traffic by utilizing intrusion detection devices and other technologies. Monitors activities such as automated notification of security breaches and automated or manual examination of logs, controls, procedures, and data.  Salary: $5,667 – $6,000 Monthly. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.

Elections Specialist, Stanly County, North Carolina— This position provides customer service to the Stanly County residence by telephone and in person; and issue forms, applications and inform customers of online resources.  Duties include responding to and resolving customer inquiries through research; processing voter registration applications, cancellations and absentee ballot requests; keying updates provided on federal and state forms; assisting staff in daily office procedures and providing accurate information to the public; processing, sorting and date stamping mail; and collaborating with team members to gain knowledge of work processes. Work may include other duties and responsibilities assigned. Deadline: Dec. 27. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.

Elections Specialist, Oregon Secretary of State’s Office— n this role, you will serve as the front-facing customer service agent for the Elections Division. You will also provide administrative support for Division management and programs. This is accomplished in part by, but not limited to: Monitoring and managing the division’s public facing email boxes; Assisting voters via phone, email, and in-person; Processing the division’s incoming and outgoing mail; Resolving routine problems or complaints and escalating complicated issues to other staff members; Performing an initial review of documents filed with the division; Providing data entry assistance to division staff; Assisting division staff with mailings; Coordinating travel and scheduling meetings for the division; Providing support for records management; Fulfilling voter registration supply orders. Salary: $3,535 – $5,361/per month. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.

Elections Supervisor, Pierce County, Washington— The Pierce County Auditor’s Office is responsible for elections, licensing services, and public records. This position supervises an award-winning division in the second largest county in Washington State. There is plenty of activity between elections and experienced staff to accomplish division goals. The Auditor’s Office promotes innovation and process improvement. The Auditor’s Office Elections Division maintains voter registration rolls, conducts federal, state and local elections, verifies petition signatures, publishes a local Voters’ Pamphlet, and maintains precinct lines after redistricting. Pierce County has over 550,000 registered voters and conducts four elections each year. The Elections Division serves 114 jurisdictions (boundary lines, voter assignment, elections) and files candidates for over 500 elected offices. As the Elections Supervisor, you will have the ability to immediately contribute to the division’s success. You will be guided through the process with coaching-focused managerial support, a team that wants you to be successful in your role, and an organizational culture that encourages continuous learning and professional development. You will be influential across the state, networking with other counties, sitting on advisory committees, and collaborating with the Elections Manager on policy decisions. Salary: $36.44 – $46.33 Hourly. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.

Executive Director, Ranked Choice Voting Resource Center— The primary responsibilities of this position are to set and reinforce the mission and vision of the organization, define its strategic direction and implement strategic plans for the organization’s development, make executive decisions that drive organizational growth, and build and manage relationships including stakeholders and potential donors. The Executive Director works with the Board to set goals for the organization, governs over organizational activities and relationships, guides the organization’s culture, and directs communication to support the mission of the organization. The ideal candidate will define the organization’s priorities and direction, oversee staff recruitment and retention, and work systematically to meet organizational goals. He or she should be a self-starter with the ability to work independently and with a team. This is a full-time remote position with in-person meetings and travel as needed. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.

Executive Director, National Vote at Home Institute — The Vote at Home Executive Director shall be responsible for managing all aspects of the organizations’ operations. These major responsibilities include the following: Strategy. Recommending, implementing, and effectively executing all VAH policies and key strategies and programs as approved by one or both boards. Budget. Fundraising and budget administration, to ensure Vote at Home’s financial sustainability and the effective and efficient expenditure of available funds. Management. The hiring, supervision, and performance management of all staff, contractors, and contracts to promote diversity and equity, ensure a collaborative and productive workplace, and comply fully with all applicable federal, state, and local laws. Partnerships. The creation of collaborative partnership relationships with other key organizations and individuals to help promote and amplify VAH’s work. Communication. The effective communication, in a wide variety of public and private forums, of Vote at Home’s vision, mission, key strategies, and core messages. Salary: $120K-$160K. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.

Information Services Specialist, Illinois State Board of Elections— Under the general supervision of the Chief Information Officer and Deputy Chief Information Officer and the day-to-day supervision of the Information Services Team Leads, independently and as a project team member, develops, maintains, and enhances the State Board of Elections’ Information Systems. Establishes application development task schedules, testing plans and implementation schedules; Performs technical analysis, design, and programming according to SBE standards; Coordinates development, testing and implementation with end-users, technical consultants and IT Staff according to SBE standards. Consults with end-users to determine application goals, requirements, cost, architecture, and impact to existing systems; Provides Level 1 technical support for Agency end-users as well as end-users of other agency-developed systems. Through continuing self-study and/or formal coursework, acquires knowledge of advanced information systems concepts and techniques, productivity tools, election law, and Board policy as they affect Board Information Systems. Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.

Information Technology Security Analyst, Illinois State Board of Elections— The IT Security Analyst reports directly to the Manager of Cyber Operations and Infrastructure. Supports the administration, implementation, review, and improvement of endpoint, network, hardware, application, and data security practices. Implements, supports and monitors the agency’s information security applications, including email security, web security, endpoint security software, firewalls, intrusion prevention applications, data loss prevention, etc. Monitors system dashboards and logs for threat indicators. Analyzes data and performs necessary incident response procedures. Conducts network, system and application vulnerability assessments. Analyzes agency threat surface and makes recommendations to management to harden agency systems. Evaluates agency processes and implements and/or makes recommendations to enhance security. Reviews information received concerning threat events from end users, supervisory personnel, other federal, state, county and local agencies and governmental entities involved in the exchange of data with the State Board of Elections (SBE), external entities such as the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center (MS-ISAC), Elections Infrastructure Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EI-ISAC), trusted cybersecurity vendors, law enforcement agencies, and public information sources. Consults with SBE staff on security issues. Provides a high level of customer service to agency staff, state, county, and local election officials. Ensures service desk queues and incidents are handled in an appropriate and timely manner. Salary: $6,264 – $8,917 Monthly. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.

Language Access Coordinator (Russian and Somali), King County Elections — The Department of Elections is searching for energetic and resourceful professionals who like to “get stuff done”. The Language Access and Outreach Coordinator position in the Elections Department combines an exciting, fast paced environment with the opportunity to cultivate talents and apply a variety of skills. The ideal candidate will thrive in an innovative, fast-paced environment and will not hesitate to roll up both sleeves, work hard, have fun, and get the job done. The Language Services and Community Engagement Program is recruiting Language Access and Outreach Coordinators who will support the program for the Russian and Somali languages. This position provides bilingual assistance, translation, and community outreach support. These individuals must be able to read, write, understand, and speak Russian or Somali at the language proficiency testing level used by the Department. In addition, as part of the community engagement program, they will participate in voter registration and voter education activities with community partners and provide support to out Voter Education Fund partners. Individuals in this position will provide language access assistance to our communications team and administrative support to other election work groups as needed. Salary: $33.63 – $42.62 Hourly. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.

Legislative Liaison, Illinois State Board of Elections— Subject to administrative approval, acts as liaison between SBE and legislative leaders in regards to legislative affairs directly affecting budget, statutory requirement changes and legislative mandates; coordinates activities of professional staff responsible for implementing and executing division policies and procedures; plans new program objectives and reviews, evaluates and modifies existing programs in conjunction with Division Directors and Executive Director. Directs the preparation and implementation and coordinates all staff activity with respect to election and campaign finance legislation; establishes procedures for review and evaluation of all election and campaign finance legislation whether initiated by the Board, a legislator or other governmental entity; participates in the legislative process through direct contact and consultation with legislators regarding the merits or demerits of proposed legislation affecting the administration of election and campaign finance laws; testifies as Board representative in Senate and House Elections Committees; consults with and assists committee staff in analysis of election and campaign finance bills and amendments thereto. Directs staff activity in research and compilation of data to be utilized as a basis for Board initiated legislation or proposed rules and regulations; directs the preparation of factual, conceptual and statistical staff reports recommending Board initiated election and campaign finance legislation and assessing the administrative and economic impact of such legislation if enacted; directs and  presents an annual legislative program to the Executive Director and the Board for consideration and approval; consults with the coordinates Board program with the Election laws Commission; drafts Board initiated legislative proposals in bill form for submission to legislative reference bureau to be prepared for introduction; monitors and tracks the progress of all election related legislation and amendments of the Governor with respect to the merits and demerits of election and campaign finance legislation passed by the General Assembly. Assists in preparation of the annual budget and initiates and promotes Board appropriation bill in the General Assembly; directs the collection and evaluation of proposals for election and campaign legislation from other division heads and their staff. Salary: $5,303.00 – $12,374. Deadline: December 31. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.

Policy Analyst, National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) — This is an entry-level policy position with NCSL’s close-knit elections and redistricting team. NCSL is known for its role as the nation’s keeper of nonpartisan, accurate information about election administration, redistricting, campaign finance and ancillary topics. The successful candidate will work on election administration topics relevant to state legislators and legislative staff and will contribute to a range of projects, including webpages, databases, briefs and presentations. A policy analyst operates under the close supervision of others and has no supervisory responsibilities. Tasks likely to include tracking legislation in databases, answering research requests from legislators or legislative staff, contributing research in support of projects led by others and assisting with meeting planning. Salary: $4,014/mo. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.

Public Relations Manager, DeKalb County, Georgia— The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned. Supervises, directs, and evaluates assigned staff; develops and oversees employee work schedules to ensure adequate coverage and control; compiles and reviews timesheets; approves/processes employee concerns and problems and counsels or disciplines as appropriate; assists with or completes employee performance appraisals; directs work; acts as a liaison between employees and management; and trains staff in operations, policies, and procedures. Organizes, prioritizes, and assigns work; prioritizes and schedules work activities to meet objectives; ensures that subordinates have the proper resources needed to complete the assigned work; monitors status of work in progress and inspects completed work; consults with assigned staff to assist with complex/problem situations and provide technical expertise; provides progress and activity reports to management; and assists with the revision of procedure manuals as appropriate. Develops and implements a comprehensive communications plan to support the mission and objectives of the department/division; develops communications strategies; reviews internal and external communications to ensure consistent messaging; creates and implements branding initiatives; manages online presence; and generates public relations campaigns to support special projects, service changes, and new initiatives within the department. Oversees the creation of print and online content to publicize and promote department programs, facilities, events, or objectives; researches and verifies information; reviews, approves, or produces newsletters, calendars, brochures, and flyers; monitors, approves, and creates content for social media and department website; and writes or edits official department announcements, emails blasts, press releases, letters, or posts. Oversees community outreach programs and events; plans, organizes, and oversees special events, facility tours, educational programs; oversees the selection of locations, dates, and sponsorships; reviews activities and materials prepared by staff or vendors; recruits and supervises event volunteers; and coordinates set-up, staffing, and implementation of program/event plans. Represents department as a spokesperson; serves as a liaison to the news media, other departments, boards, and other external groups; responds to media requests; gives interviews and official comments; and produces short television segments for DeKalb County TV. Cultivates community partnerships to advance departmental objectives and initiatives; develops and maintains relationships with community partners; attends or leads community events on behalf of the department; responds to inquiries from citizen groups or the public; and serves on internal and external committees or projects. Prepares and monitors public relations budget; prepares cost estimates; develops annual budget requests; and reviews and approves expenditures. Salary: $67,182 – $104,133. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.

Voting Rights Expert, The Carter Center— The Carter Center is seeking a highly qualified voting rights analyst to work on the Center’s US election advisory team under the guidance of the Democracy Program staff. The voting rights expert will assess and analyze key issues affecting women, the disabled, and disenfranchised groups in the United States. The voting rights expert will contribute to public and private statements concerning the electoral process and provide an impartial assessment of elections as well as detailed recommendations for ways to improve the program’s inclusiveness, credibility, and transparency as it relates to voting access of historically disenfranchised peoples. A minimum of seven (7) years of experience in democracy and/or elections is required, in addition to a degree in political science or another relevant field. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.

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