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JEARP

The Journal of Election Administration Research and Practice bi-annual journal developed in partnership between the National Association of Election Officials (The Election Center) and Auburn University Election Administration Initiative designed to address the concerns of the practice, policy, research, vendor, and advocacy communities involved in the administration of elections in the US and abroad. The third edition (Volume 2, Issue 1) was recently published. Each week we’ll feature the abstract of a submission in the current edition. Submissions to the Journal are open and currently on any topic, although the editorial team is considering a special issue for later this year or early next year on a specific topic.

Philanthropy and Elections Operations

Karen Brinson Bell, North Carolina State Board of Elections
Christian R. Grose, University of Southern California

This piece reprises a panel held at the Summer 2022 meeting of Election Sciences, Reform, and Administration conference (ESRA) held at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.  The purpose of ESRA is “to bring together experts from academia, state and local government, nonprofits and research institutions to develop empirical approaches to the study of how law and administrative procedures affect the quality of elections in the United States” (for more information, click here). This luncheon panel was hosted by Dr. Mitchell Brown of Auburn University and was attended by over one hundred academic researchers and practitioners. This article follows the format of the panel, with opening remarks by the speakers and curated question and answer with questions from the audience.

The topic of the panel, the use of philanthropic dollars to support election office operations during the 2020 election cycle, has been extraordinarily controversial. Although philanthropy has played a role in elections in myriad ways over the years from providing funding for activities like voter education, 2020 saw an unprecedented use of philanthropic dollars to support election operations because the local, state, and national funding available to many offices to address the added burden from the pandemic was inadequate. In response, state legislatures around the country began passing legislation to limit or stop the role of philanthropic dollars to support election administration, specifically using the logic that private dollars to support government operations is inappropriate and has implications for unbiased and nonpartisan administration and raises questions about electoral integrity. Read more…

Election News This Week

CISA News: This week during the National Association of State Election Directors summer conference, CISA Director Jen Easterly announced that CISA will be committing additional resources to the organization’s election infrastructure security mission. In addition to the cybersecurity and protective security advisors that are already stationed across the country providing frontline service support to address the full range of cyber and physical threats to critical infrastructure, CISA will now be establishing dedicated election security advisor positions in each of the agencies ten regions. In meeting with election officials over the last two years, Easterly said it became clear that optimally supporting them means meeting them where they are. The election security advisors will help build even stronger connective tissue between state and local election officials and the team at CISA. They will work directly for CISA’s Regional Directors and with the agency’s cybersecurity and protective security advisors to ensure CISA’s capabilities and services are being optimally employed to meet the unique needs of each state or locality. Election security advisors will be experts in the infrastructure, jurisdictional requirements, and operating environments unique to their regions to offer more tailored guidance and support. “As we look to rapidly implement this new capability to support the election community, I’ve asked my senior advisor Cait Conley, who will be leading our election security efforts starting in August, to oversee the recruiting and hiring of our regional election security advisors,” Easterly said. “As we gear up for upcoming elections, including the 2024 presidential election, we will continue to lean forward and do our part to ensure the American people can have confidence in the security and resilience of our democratic process.”

Jail Voting: The Dallas County, Texas jail is now providing an Election Day polling place for eligible voters who are incarcerated at the facility. Previously inmates—most there pretrial and therefore eligible to vote under Texas law, had been limited to absentee voting. In 2016 only two people voted absentee from the jail and in 2020 only 34 did so. This May, Dallas County Sheriff Marian Brown tested out a jail polling place for municipal elections. Twenty people voted in person at the new polling place. An additional ten returned an absentee ballot from the jail. While those numbers are still low compared to the population of the jail, they are an improvement, especially for typically low-turnout municipal elections. Brown said that her office would use the spring’s low-profile elections to iron out any logistical issues. “The municipal elections afford us the opportunity to do a trial run to fill these gaps,” she said. During the 2023 legislative season a bill was filed to prohibit polling places in a jail or any other detention facility, but it never advanced. When asked if the jail will continue to host a polling place in future elections, the sheriff’s office told Bolts, “Yes, the plan is to continue having a polling location at the Dallas County Jail for inmates and one outside for the public as we did in May.”

ERIC Update: Last week Texas became the ninth state to leave the Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC). The move comes just three years after the state joined ERIC. According to the secretary of state’s resignation letter, the state’s exit will be effective in three months, in accordance with the program’s bylaws. By then, a law approved by the Texas Legislature this session, authored by Republican state Sen. Bryan Hughes, will have gone into effect. That legislation directs the secretary of state to build its own version of a multistate cross-check program or to find a “private sector provider” with a cost that won’t exceed $100,000. Hughes did not respond to Votebeat’s request for comment. Alicia Pierce, the secretary of state’s spokesperson, said the state could not stay in ERIC because it must now comply with the requirements in the Hughes legislation. Despite the departure, Texas law still requires the state to participate in a multistate data-sharing program to clean its voter rolls, which is what led the state to join ERIC in 2020. When the state stops using ERIC in October, it will be in violation of that requirement unless it finds an acceptable substitute, which won’t be easy.  Pierce told Votebeat the secretary of state’s office is still researching options.

Personnel News: Sean Greene has been named the new associate director of the MIT Election Data + Science Lab (woooo!).  Vasudevan Abhiraman has been sworn in as a new member of the DeKalb County, Georgia board of registration and elections. Board of elections members in Alexander, Bertie, Caldwell, Chatham, Chowan, Davie, Stanly, and Watauga counties in North Carolina were recently sworn-in. Shani Shorter is the new Pittsylvania County, Virginia general registrar. Oregon Treasurer Tobias Read will seek the Dem nomination for secretary of state in 2024. Vicki Wood has been appointed Nacogdoches County, Texas elections administrator.

Legislative Updates

St. Louis, Missouri: Candidates in two-person races for city offices could skip a primary and run only in the general election under a plan to be submitted Thursday to the Board of Aldermen. “It really does not make sense for the same people to run against each other two months in a row,” one supporter of the change, Aldermanic President Megan Green, said Wednesday. Green was referring to the city’s primary and general elections, held in March and April of odd-numbered years. The bill’s sponsor, Alderman Shameem Clark Hubbard, said the change also could save the city money. Fewer polling places, for example, would be needed in a primary if a ward’s aldermanic race and a citywide race drew no more than two candidates apiece. “It’s a no-brainer,” she said.

Ohio: Sen. Theresa Gavarone (R-Bowling Green) has introduced Senate Bill 137 that seeks to stop communities from passing ranked choice voting, which allows voters to rank a number of choices in multiple-candidate races. The bill would withhold payments from the state’s Local Government Fund for any community that passes ranked choice voting, which she said causes delays, confusion and lower turnout. “To go in and rank a number of different candidates, some of whom you’re not familiar with, you haven’t had time to research them, who haven’t been out there doing the work, can cause issues. You get to the ballot and there are eight people,” Gavarone said. “It’s a confusing system.” Supporters of the idea disagree. Republican former state representative Gene Krebs has been working with a group trying to gauge whether Ohioans want ranked choice voting, doing door-to-door surveys and other outreach. He said Gavarone’s bill solves no problems — and actually does the opposite. “It creates problems because it blocks off a possible avenue to have more intelligent conversations about policy at the local level,” Krebs said. “And it also, I think, would hurt the ability of those cities to manage themselves better.”

Wisconsin: Sen. Dan Knodl (R-Germantown) and Rep. Amy Binsfield (R-Sheboygan) have introduced a bill that would cap the cost of getting version of the state’s voter roll at $250. The proposed $250 limit would be a significant reduction from the current fee. Under current law, the cost to obtain the state’s entire set of voter records is $12,500, an amount the two lawmakers said in the memo is out of reach for most citizens. “This bill is set to level the field for those who would like to see transparency in our voter information. We want to take away barriers that don’t have a solid purpose,” Binsfield said in a statement. The $12,500 figure is based on a $25 base fee, plus $5 per 1,000 records returned by the request. The state currently has nearly 3.6 million registered voters. Without the $12,500 cap, based on the existing formula, the cost of the entire set of records would be about $18,000. The proposed legislation would apply the $250 limit to electronic records and would allow the Wisconsin Elections Commission to apply an additional fee for producing a physical copy of the list. Under current law, that fee is 25 cents per printed page along with the cost of postage and shipping. State law currently requires the commission to determine the fee to obtain voter records by estimating, in consultation with local election officials, the cost to maintain and reproduce the list at the state and local levels. There is no mechanism under state law to waive the fee.

Legal Updates

Arizona: U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton heard arguments this week on nearly a dozen motions for summary judgment in a lawsuit aimed at a 2022 voting law plaintiffs say will lead to mass voter disenfranchisement.  Mi Familia Vota and Voto Latino, two voting rights advocacy groups based in Phoenix and Washington D.C., respectively, sued Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, Attorney General Kris Mayes and all 15 Arizona county recorders in March 2022 over the recently enacted HB2492. The bill, signed into law in March 2022, requires already-registered voters to provide proof of citizenship to remain registered to vote in presidential elections or vote in any federal election by mail. The law places the burden on roughly 200,000 voters who never had to show proof of citizenship before, like those who registered using the National Voter Registration Act federal form. The law includes requirements for voters to provide documentation of their birthplace and check a box on their form affirming they’re citizens in addition to providing other proof of citizenship documents. Failure to do any of those things can result in a canceled registration. Plaintiffs argue requiring voters to prove their citizenship without any notice from the state or opportunity to correct errors before their registration is terminated will disenfranchise voters who may not have access to the required documentation or the time and ability to locate it. They claim the law violates both the First and 14th Amendments, as well as the Civil Rights Act and the National Voter Registration Act. According to Courthouse News Service, it’s unclear when Bolton will rule on the competing motions. At the hearing’s conclusion, she set a bench trial date for Nov. 6.

In a brief order issued this week, the Arizona Supreme court rejected Kari Lake’s request to immediately take up her appeal of a lower court ruling that went against her. The justices said there was “no good cause’’ to let her skip the normal process of first taking the case to the Court of Appeals. Lake had pleaded that a quick resolution of her complaints is necessary to resolve her claim of “extraordinary new evidence,’’ much of which a lower court judge found lacking, and also to deal with her allegations of “election maladministration’’ ahead of the 2024 election.

Arkansas: US District Court Judge James Moody has decided to remand a high-profile lawsuit concerning Arkansas election laws back to the state court. The case was initially moved to federal court at the request of Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin. The lawsuit, filed by plaintiffs including Conrad Reynolds, CEO of the Arkansas Voter Integrity Initiative (AVII), is against John Thurston in his official capacity as Arkansas Secretary of State, the Arkansas State Board of Election Commissioners in its official capacity, and Election Systems and Software, LLC. The lawsuit claims that the ExpressVote electronic voting devices and DS200 electronic tabulators do not comply with state law and the Help America Vote Act of 2002. Consequently, voters are unable to independently verify their votes before casting them, the suit alleges.

Florida: Joshua David Lubitz, 39 of Broward county who was convicted of threatening poll workers in last year’s gubernatorial primary election was sentenced to a year and a half of home confinement with electronic monitoring instead of prison time because of his mental-health illness. Lubitz, who lives with his parents, has been diagnosed with chronic obsessive-compulsive disorder, a key factor that led to his lenient sentence, according to court records. Lubitz will face supervised release for three years. He is not allowed to visit polling places, may not contact any victims or possess firearms, and must undergo psychological counseling, according to the terms imposed by U.S. District Judge Rodolfo Ruiz. Lubitz was charged with voter intimidation last October after he had threatened election workers who assisted him and other voters at a senior center in Sunrise during the primary election last August. “Should I kill them one by one or should I blow the place up?” a federal indictment accused Lubitz of saying at the polling station, then he “pointed his finger and thumb in a gun-like fashion towards election workers.”

Georgia: Rudolph W. Giuliani has conceded that while acting as a lawyer for former President Donald J. Trump, he made false statements by asserting that two Georgia election workers had mishandled ballots while counting votes in Atlanta during the 2020 election. The concession by Giuliani came in court papers filed as part of a defamation lawsuit that the two workers, Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss, had brought against him in Federal District Court in Washington in December 2021. The suit accused Giuliani and others of promoting a video that purported to show Freeman and Moss of manipulating ballots while working at the State Farm Arena for the Fulton County Board of Elections. In a two-page declaration, Giuliani acknowledged that he had in fact made the statements about Freeman and Moss that led to the filing of the suit and that the remarks “carry meaning that is defamatory per se.” He also admitted that his statements were “actionable” and “false” and that he no longer disputed the “factual elements of liability” the election workers had raised in their suit.

Illinois: A conservative group headed by a 2020 presidential election denier will get access to an unredacted list of Illinois voters and their personal information, such as mail and email addresses and telephone numbers, under a federal court settlement with the State Board of Elections. The settlement includes a confidentiality order aimed at preventing dissemination of voters’ personal information beyond the Illinois Conservative Union.  The Conservative Union and its founder, Carol Davis, a former tea party activist, had filed a federal challenge to the state election board’s limitations that provided complete voter data only to political committees and governmental entities. Under a previous judicial ruling, individual voter data that greatly redacted personal information had been available to the public. Now, after paying an existing fee that had been charged to political and governmental entities, the Conservative Union can acquire a complete list of the state’s 8.1 million registered voters along with age, address, phone number and county and state voter ID number, except for individuals covered by special federal or state confidentiality laws.

Mississippi: U.S. District Judge Henry Wingate blocked a new Mississippi law that would set criminal penalties for some people who help others with absentee voting — a ruling that comes as absentee ballots are already available in party primaries for governor and other state offices. Wingate wrote in his order this week that Mississippi cannot enforce the law during this year’s primaries or general election. “The voting polls are expected to extend outstretched hands of welcome and provide unfettered access to conscientious citizens anxious to enjoy ‘participatory democracy,’ whether those citizens be among the vulnerable and the disabled,” Wingate wrote. He wrote that the state law violates the Voting Rights Act, a federal law that says any voter who is blind, disabled or unable to read may receive assistance “by a person of the voter’s choice,” other than the voter’s employer or union.

Montana: The Great Falls Public Library board has closed their case against Cascade County Clerk and Recorder Sandra Merchant over the June 6 library levy election. In May, the library filed a civil suit in district court against Merchant, asking the court to appoint an election monitor, alleging a series of errors from the May 2 school board election they were hoping to avoid. Raph Graybill, attorney for the library board, asked the court to allow the library to pay Lynn Deroche, court appointed election monitor, for her time.  On July 10, the court dismissed the case and ordered all parties to pay their own attorney fees and costs. Graybill said they did not seek attorney fees.

Virginia: Melvin Wingate, a pastor at Living Hoe Outreach Deliverance Ministries is among three individual plaintiffs in a lawsuit filed against Virginia state officials. In an attempt to restore voting rights to people with felony convictions, it argues that part of the commonwealth’s constitution violates a 150-year-old federal law which readmitted Virginia to the U.S. Congress after the Civil War. Article II of Virginia’s constitution says that any person with a felony conviction loses their right to vote unless it’s restored by the governor. Further, Virginia is the only state in the nation that requires a person with a felony conviction to individually petition the governor to restore that right. When the commonwealth was brought back into the Union in 1870 via the Virginia Readmission Act, it was prohibited from amending its constitution to deprive citizens of the right to vote, except for punishment for crimes that were common law felonies at the time. Those crimes were murder, manslaughter, arson, burglary, robbery, rape, sodomy, mayhem and larceny. Yet today’s constitution includes a number of crimes that were not considered felonies in 1870. Among them are drug offenses and “uttering”, which is the presentation of a document known to contain forgery. “We’re asking the court to provide relief for everyone who has lost the right to vote for things that were not felonies in 1870,” Vishal Agraharkar an attorney for ACLU Virginia said.

Makya Little, a losing candidate in the 19th District House of Delegates Democratic primary, sued party leaders and state elections officials this week alleging that June’s primary election was tainted. She is seeking financial damages from the party and an injunction preventing the state from printing fall election ballots until her case is resolved. Little, joined by three Northern Virginia voters who “felt ignored” by elected officials and the Democratic Party of Virginia, filed the lawsuit in Richmond Circuit Court on behalf of themselves with no attorney. Defendants are the state, the Virginia Department of Elections, chair of the state Board of Elections John O’Bannon and state Democratic Party Chair Susan Swecker.

Wisconsin: A national Democratic law firm focused on election issues is challenging new restrictions on absentee voting in Wisconsin just two weeks before the state Supreme Court flips to liberal control. The suit, filed on behalf of two liberal-leaning organizations and a Dane County man, will likely determine whether high-profile voting decisions from the current ideological makeup of the state Supreme Court ruling will be overturned before the 2024 presidential election. In July 2022, the state Supreme Court in a 4-3 ruling banned voters from using drop boxes to return absentee ballots. In September, a Waukesha County judge banned election clerks to fill in missing address information on absentee ballots. The lawsuit filed Thursday seeks to undo both rules. It also challenges the Election Day deadline to correct errors on absentee ballots. Under current state law, ballots must be corrected by 8 p.m. on the day of an election or the votes will not be counted. “Absentee voting has long been an important part of Wisconsin elections. As far back as the Civil War, Wisconsinites have been able to exercise the right to vote by casting an absentee ballot; indeed, Wisconsin was one of the few states to uphold absentee voting for Union soldiers fighting in that war,” the complaint said.

Opinions This Week

National Opinions: Voting methods | Audits | Election legislation

Iowa: Voter registration

Massachusetts: Ranked choice voting

Michigan: Election legislation

Mississippi: Polling place changes

Missouri: Voter suppression

New Mexico: Native American voting rights

New  York: Election integrity

Ohio: Democracy warehouse | Ranked choice voting

Pennsylvania: Special elections

South Carolina: Special elections

Tennessee: Poll workers

Virginia: Early voting, II | Ranked choice voting, II

Upcoming Events

Building Trust in Elections: Lessons from 2022, Best Practices, and Resources for Election Officials: Led by Thessalia Merivaki and Mara Suttmann-Lea, based on their research under the Learning from Elections project, and hosted by the MIT Election Data + Science Lab. This webinar brings together researchers, election officials, and organizations dedicated to supporting the work of election officials for a series of panels reflecting on lessons learned about voter education and outreach during the 2022 midterm election cycle.  Panels will feature an analysis of trust-building practices used by election officials during the election cycle, a discussion with select officials about their experiences using social media for voter outreach, and spotlight resources available for officials to develop, share, and learn from one another’s communication practices. When: July 28, 11am-2pm Eastern. Where: Online

EAC Public Meeting on Voter Education and Engagement: Please join the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) for a public discussion about voter education research and ideas for 2024, the EAC and poll worker recruitment, and innovation in voter outreach and engagement. When: August 2. Where: Online.

NCSL Legislative Summit: The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) will hold its annual meeting, Legislative Summit, in August. This year’s elections track features election perspectives from across the spectrum, a live recording of the podcast, High Turnout, Wide Margins, a tour of the Marion County Election Board Office, a free precon on election security, accuracy and communications, and a free postcon on redistricting. To register visit NCSL’s Summit 2023 webpage; for the pre- and postcons, contact Katie.King@ncsl.org. When: Aug. 13-17. Where: Indianapolis, Indiana.

Election Center National Conference: The National Association of Election Officials (The Election Center) will hold its 38th Annual Conference in Orlando, Florida in late August. In addition to the conference, CERA courses and renewal courses will be offered. The conference will include plenary sessions, workshops, the CERA graduation ceremony and an optional tour of the Orange County, Florida supervisor of elections offices. When: Aug. 26-30. Where: Orlando, Florida

National Voter Registration Day: National Voter Registration Day is a nonpartisan civic holiday celebrating our democracy. It has quickly gained momentum since it was first observed in 2012, with more than 5 million voters registered to vote on the holiday to date. Celebrated every September, National Voter Registration Day involves volunteers and organizations from all over the country hitting the streets in a single day of coordinated field, technology, and media efforts. The holiday is endorsed by the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS), the National Association of State Election Directors (NASED), the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC), and the National Association of Election Officials (The Election Center). When: September 19.

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 Manager-Poll Worker Department, Palm Beach County, Florida— The Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections is looking for an experienced Assistant Poll Worker Department Manager. In this role, you will oversee the planning and the completion of various projects, administrative functions, operations, and specialized tasks in the Poll Worker Department. The work involves knowledge and application of departmental operations, planning, assigning responsibilities, monitoring election worker classes, maintaining records, evaluating performance, and the ability to review work for accuracy. This position requires initiative and sound independent judgement in the application of office policies, election laws, and procedures. Must be personable and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, associates, and the general public. All work is performed under the guidance of the Supervisor of Elections. The ideal candidate will have an excellent work ethic, including consistent performance, reliability, and attendance. The desire and ability to work well in a fast-paced collaborative environment with a smile are essential to the position. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.

Chief Deputy Registrar of Voters, San Bernardino, California— The San Bernardino County Registrar of Voters seeks a dynamic and innovative administrator who can lead and thrive in a fast-paced environment to manage our elections programs, processes, and team.  The Chief Deputy Registrar of Voters is a forward-thinking individual that assists with guiding the future direction of the department and its processes, taking a hands-on approach to find solutions while working collaboratively with a knowledgeable and dedicated team. The Chief Deputy Registrar of Voters is a key member of the Department’s senior management team, participating in organizational strategic planning and administering election programs. The position serves as a Chief over a division of the Registrar of Voters (ROV) office and has primary responsibility for assisting the ROV in planning, conducting, and certifying all Primary, General, and Special elections. Salary: $85,425.60 – $118,684.80. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.

City Clerk, Petaluma, California— The City of Petaluma, uniquely situated on the Petaluma River at the Northern end of the San Francisco Bay, offers a vibrant cultural, outdoor, and gastronomic scene. Residents enjoy unparalleled natural beauty along with deep engagement with their community. Life in Petaluma is the perfect mix of country and city, offering biking, hiking, paddling, arts, music, and shopping as well as outstanding food and craft beverages. The City celebrates family and cultural diversity, and is a community of people who care about making Petaluma a place they’re proud to call home. The new City Clerk will bring the knowledge and proven experience to assess current operations of the City Clerk’s Office and institute innovative processes, modifications, and technological efficiencies where necessary. The ideal candidate is emotionally intelligent, a strong communicator, and gets along well with others. Staying calm under pressure, bringing passion for local government and community service, and taking on new initiatives is essential to success in this role. Qualified candidates possess a Bachelor’s degree as well as five (5) years of experience in supporting an elected/appointed government body. A Master’s degree, Certified Municipal Clerk (CMC), and Master Municipal Clerk (MMC) are highly desirable. Salary: $164,883. Deadline: August 27. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.

Data Analyst, Protect Democracy— VoteShield, a project of Protect Democracy, seeks highly motivated and civic-minded Data Analysts to join our growing team. VoteShield’s goal is to maintain complete and accurate voter data in order to ensure free and fair elections for all qualified voters. As a member of this world-class analysis and engineering team, you will analyze voter registration data, work with election administrators, and grow your technical skills. Ideal candidates will be critical thinkers with a command of data analysis techniques and the ability to distill findings into clear, accessible reports and presentations. We are seeking people who bring an interest in civic data, commitment to non-partisanship, and passion for defending and strengthening our democracy through free and fair elections. We do not expect that any one candidate will have all of the experiences and requirements listed — our current data analysis team comes from a variety of professional backgrounds, including academia and the public and private sectors. We highly encourage you to apply if the job description gets you excited about the role and the work of Protect Democracy & VoteShield. You may work from any location in the United States, and candidates from diverse backgrounds and from across the political and ideological spectrum are strongly encouraged to apply. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.

Deputy Counsel, Minnesota Secretary of State’s Office— As the Deputy General Counsel, you will provide legal advice to the Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State (OSS) as well as information to our county and municipal Election partners, Business Services partners, and the general public. This position serves as the subject matter expert on: data practices compliance; legislation review and rulemaking; advising on applicable federal and state statutes, case law, and administrative rules and practices. This position will work closely with the General Counsel, Deputy Secretary of State, OSS’s division directors, and the Attorney General’s office. Responsibilities include: Provide legal analysis and advice with respect to the application of Minnesota statutes and rules to fact situations and hypothetical questions. Provide on an agency wide basis, legal advice regarding OSS compliance with the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act and other applicable privacy laws. Assist in executing all legal and regulatory aspects of rulemaking. Provide legal review of legislation and assist in fiscal note coordination as required by the legislature. Salary: $80,137 – $118,848. Deadline: July 31. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.

Deputy Director- Communications & Support Services, DeKalb County, Georgia— The following duties are normal for this classification. 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. Manages, directs, and evaluates assigned staff; oversees employee work schedules to ensure adequate coverage and control; 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 County administrators and elected officials; and trains staff in operations, policies, and procedures. Organizes, prioritizes, and assigns work; prioritizes and schedules work activities in order 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 County administrators and elected officials; and assists with the revision of procedure manuals as appropriate. Directs functions and activities of the department; directs voter registration programs, voter education and outreach programs; administers elections; recruits and trains poll workers; and oversees storage, maintenance, preparation, and testing of election equipment. Directs voter registration activities; reviews and approves staffing levels during high volume and peak registration periods; monitors work activities to ensure timely processing of applications and maintenance of voter registration rolls; and conducts voter education seminars and training for citizens. Conducts elections; supervises departmental personnel to ensure that all elections are conducted in accordance with state and federal laws and regulations; determines locations and schedule for early voting; organizes equipment and staff deployment levels for early and election day voting; reviews training packets; monitors early voting traffic and election task lists; approves ballot layouts; and implements changes in procedures to resolve issues. Plans, directs, trains, and supervises voter outreach activities; processing absentee ballots; receives/files nomination papers, candidate statements and initiative petitions; maintains the voter file; advises individuals/groups on procedures for filing initiatives, referendums and recall petitions; and files/audits campaign financial statements. Coordinates the daily operation of the department’s computer systems; supervises data entry of affidavits of registration; maintains election district information; prepares and maintains precinct maps; creating and consolidates precincts, including the operation of customized computer aided drafting applications; supervises election night ballot tabulating. Plans, directs and supervises employees engaged in securing polling places and precinct officers; training precinct officers; orders and delivers precinct supplies and materials; operating collection centers; conducting official canvass of election returns; operates mailing and computerized mail addressing equipment; mails sample ballots and election information to voters; and receives, inventorying and storing election supplies Assists in developing and implementing long- and short-term plans, goals, and objectives for the department; evaluates effectiveness and efficiency of department activities; reviews and revises policies, procedures, plans and programs; and researches, assesses, and makes recommendations regarding strategies to meet current and future election and voter registration needs. Interprets, applies, and ensures compliance with all applicable codes, laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies and procedures; initiates any actions necessary to correct deviations or violations; maintains a comprehensive, current knowledge of applicable laws/regulations and pending legislation that may impact department operations; and maintains an awareness of new products, methods, trends and advances in the profession. Assists in developing, implementing, and administering department budget; monitors expenditures for adherence to established budgetary parameters; and prepares and submits financial documentation. Oversees equipment and supplies for the department; determines voting equipment needs for each precinct for elections; monitors the packing and preparation of voting equipment and supplies; reviews and approves supply and equipment requisitions; develops equipment specifications; obtains price quotes from vendors; prepares and updates policies and procedures for equipment storage; and manages the maintenance of all related records. Completes data entry and filing; enters new voter registration information; verifies accuracy and completeness of voter information; conducts research of state records; mails out letters to retrieve missing information and documentation; updates existing records in statewide registration base; files new, updates existing, and pulls deleted cards as appropriate; scans and indexes registration and absentee applications; and files records and correspondence after processing. 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. Directs the design, planning and implementation of training programs aligned with department objectives and strategies; oversees community outreach programs and events; plans, organizes, and oversees special events, facility tours, educational programs; oversees the selection of locations, dates; 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 to media, other departments, municipalities, candidates and state officials; answers questions and provides information; coordinates work activities; reviews status of work; resolves problems; responds to media requests; gives interviews and official comments; and produces short television segments for DeKalb County TV. Salary range: $81,077 – $125,670. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.

Election Professional, The Elections Group— The Elections Group is growing its team of election professionals. You will work in support of state and local election officials as they enhance or implement new programs and adapt procedures as necessary in a dynamic operating environment. Our team works quickly to assess needs and provide guidance, resources and support in all areas of election administration, including security, audits, communications and election operations. This is an opportunity to be a part of a collaborative and professional group who are passionate about elections and serving the people who run them.  Our employment model includes remote work with some travel required and competitive compensation. We will be hiring full-time, part-time and contract positions over the next several months. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.

IT Coordinator, St. Johns County, Florida— The IT Coordinator is a critical role in the organization responsible for overseeing the technology operations of the Supervisor of Elections office operating in a Microsoft Windows environment. This includes managing the IT staff, ensuring the security and integrity of the organization’s data and systems, and identifying and implementing new technologies to improve efficiency and productivity. The IT Coordinator manages core network operations, reports to senior management, and collaborates with other department heads to align Information Technology strategies to maximize organizational operations. Responsible for ensuring the smooth operation of the Supervisor of Elections office and systems while identifying and implementing new technologies to improve efficiency and productivity. Salary: $80,000 – $92,500 a year. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.

Legal and Electoral Dispute Resolution Expert, The Carter Center— The Democracy Program at The Carter Center works globally to support and strengthen participatory democracy, consistent with human rights. Beginning in 2020, The Carter Center began efforts to support elections in the United States. There are multiple key aspects to this project: establishing nonpartisan observation efforts, bolstering the electoral dispute resolution process, tracking disinformation and dangerous speech, contributing to electoral reform, and promoting a set of candidate principles for trusted elections. The Carter Center’s proposed electoral dispute resolution program aims to bolster public awareness of existing mechanisms to resolve electoral challenges as a means of building confidence in the process and encouraging peaceful acceptance of results. It also seeks to identify and propose meaningful reforms to strengthen those mechanisms and make them more coherent. Ahead of the 2024 election cycle, The Carter Center is proposing a four-pronged program of work that to increase the transparency, accessibility, timeliness and accountability of electoral dispute resolution mechanisms and thereby bolster public trust in the electoral process. The program will seek to both raise awareness of existing mechanisms for electoral dispute resolution and provide recommendations for their improvement. This position will also serve as our legal expert and will work closely with other members of the US Electoral expert team to assess the extent to which the US legislation, state legislation, and their implementation complies with international election standards. The legal analyst is expected to understand the legal framework of elections in the United States, generally, brief staff on election-related legal issues, and meet with relevant stakeholders as requested. Salary: Commensurate with experience Length of Assignment: Through August 31, 2023, with possibility of extension or contract renewal. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.

Network Manager, Rhode Island Secretary of State’s Office— The Network Manager will manage, maintain, document, and operate the Department of State’s (Department) network. Additionally, the Network Manager will configure, update, secure, and install network equipment with the Department’s infrastructure as well as work with other members of the eGov and IT Division to ensure secure reliable service to staff and the public. The Network Manager performs various duties including, but not limited to: Install, secure, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair LAN and WAN network hardware, software, systems, and cabling; Work with Department staff to assist them in understanding and utilizing network services and resources; Build and maintain network log infrastructure and support critical response initiatives; Manage, monitor, document, and expand the network infrastructure; Resolve desktop and networking problems; Assist staff with maintaining voice, data, and wireless communications; Develop and implement policies related to secure hardware and software; Optimize and maintain network security through the proper design, implementation and maintenance of network devices, appliances, and other systems; Plan and implement new network installations and upgrades; Maintain an orderly networking office and equipment storage area; Participate in Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity planning, drill, and implementation activities; and Perform other duties as required. Salary: $73,416 – $83,126. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.

Operations Manager, Santa Fe County, New Mexico— Under the general direction of the Department Director or elected official, establishes, implements, and oversees sound financial management, accounting, budgeting, staffing, procurement, and monitoring of internal control systems and processes for a department.  Oversees multiple program support functions within the Department.  This position will also manage the customer service and front window functions of the Clerk’s office. Essential Job Functions: Collaborates with Finance Department to establish the departmental budget request and submittal; executes, analyzes, forecasts, and manages budget in compliance with County policy. Oversees the development, tracking, and processing of all Department contracts, Requests for Proposal (RFP), Personnel Actions (PA), and payroll. Tracks grants and bond expenditures to ensure timeliness and efficiency. Serves as the official liaison with County Finance Department, Legal Department, and Personnel Department regarding Contracts, RFP’s, and payroll. Ensures internal control structure, budgetary control system and all accounting processes are functioning effectively within the department. Certifies that payments to vendors are accurate and timely and are for goods and services rendered in accordance with County policy. Disseminates information to management regarding the fiscal procedures and responsibilities regarding all financial transactions and activities. Coordinates program support activities within the Department; may present information at Board of County Commission meetings; may develop policies and business procedures for the department; and may audit and verify department payroll matters. Supervises timesheet submission for the department, ensuring timesheets are accurate and complete. Coordinates with the County Human Resource Department regarding the processing and tracking of all employee actions and issues; collaborates with Human Resources to facilitate recruitment for the department. Assists the Department Director/Elected Official with projects and assignments of priority and ensures completion of assignments in an effective and timely manner. Responds to questions and requests for information for the department. Hires, orients, trains, supervises, assigns and reviews work of, evaluates, and disciplines staff; recommends staff for promotion, compensation increases; and disciplinary action. Schedules, plans, and oversees or assists with departmental meetings; attends external meetings as representative of department; and attends meetings with government officials, vendors, and the public. Maintains knowledge of emerging technology and trends, current industry standards, evolving technologies, and methodologies that will impact department. Manages the customer service procedures and protocols in the Clerk’s Office; is readily available by phone, chat and email.  Answers the main phone number and Clerk inbox; follows up with customer requests. Manages the Clerk’s Office calendar protocol, chat and ticketing systems. Maintains lists of regular customers by type: titles companies, surveyors, etc. Notifies customers of any operational changes, ensures holidays are posted. Maintains effective communications with users regarding vendor activities, problems, status, timelines and other details. Salary: $68,598 – $96,033. Deadline: Oct. 18. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.

Registration & Elections Supervisor, 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 in order 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 ; and assists with the revision of procedure manuals as appropriate. Conducts elections; supervises personnel to ensure that all elections are conducted in accordance with state and federal laws and regulations; secures early voting locations and recommends schedule; appoints site managers and determines staffing requirements for early and election day voting; works with polling locations and County Information Technology staff to ensure technology capabilities; develops and reviews training for compliance with election laws; monitors early voting traffic; recommends changes in procedures to resolve issues; conducts election night precinct check in, election audit and preparation of precinct statistics; monitors election tasks lists; monitors election software programming; and oversees financial filings process. Implements, monitors and maintains registration functions and processes; reviews registration functions and processes such as felon registrations, duplicate voters, citizenship verification, jury summons questionnaires, provisional voting, election night precinct check in and election audit; monitors and ensures compliance with established protocols and procedures; and updates protocols and procedures as needed. Prepares and completes a variety of registration, production and election reports; compiles and/or tracks various administrative and/or statistical data; generates and prepares data; submits all mandated reports to local, state and federal regulatory agencies or others as required; and maintains related records. Maintains training and procedure manuals; and develops, updates, and revises manuals for all procedures involving voter registration and election functions. Interprets, applies, and ensures compliance with all applicable codes, laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies and procedures; initiates any actions necessary to correct deviations or violations; maintains a comprehensive, current knowledge of applicable laws/regulations and pending legislation that may impact department operations; and maintains an awareness of new products, methods, trends and advances in the profession. Assists in developing and implementing department budget; review. Salary: $54,927 – $88,433. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.

Training Program Coordinator, Charleston County, South Carolina— This position is responsible for the recruiting, coordinating, and training of Election Day poll managers on the policies, procedures, and SC State law regarding the administering of fair, honest, and accurate elections within the polling places on Election Day and during early voting. This position will also train all temporary Early Voting staff. This position will be responsible for developing all instruction manuals and materials. This position reports directly to the Deputy Director of Election Operations. Salary: $53,248 – $69,784. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.

Voter Registration Specialist, Illinois State Board of Elections— Under the general direction of the Voter Registration Lead, and the Director of Voting and Registration Systems, the Voting Registration Specialist I, performs duties related to the operation of voter registration systems and processes.. Analyzes data within the statewide registration database, review data submissions, process data request and provide voter data dissemination files. Request information from local election authorities as it relates to voter registration and systems, assist with questions from election authorities and the public as it pertains to voter registration. Performs test of registration systems functionality. Salary: $3,750 – $5,834. Deadline: Aug. 10. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.

Voting System Specialist, Illinois State Board of Elections— Under the general direction of the Voting System & Testing Team Lead, and the Director of Voting and Registration Systems, the Voting System Specialist I, performs functions relative to the operational and procedural aspects of voting systems; performs voting tabulation system testing and certification testing to ensure voting systems are secure and promotes the integrity of statewide voting technology which is used by Illinois election authorities and the general public; assists in the development and planning of on-site and off-site testing; collaborates with agency divisions, election authorities, vendors, and the general public as it relates to voting systems; effectively organizes, coordinates, and independently schedules day-to-day projects and requirements to ensure all assignments receive appropriate attention and that established timelines are met. Salary: $3,750 – $5,834. Deadline: Aug. 10. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here

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