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Election News This Week

Threats to Democracy: Threats to elections officials continued this week. On Jan. 3, state capitol buildings in Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi and Montana were evacuated or placed on lockdown after the authorities said they had received bomb threats that they described as false and nonspecific. The F.B.I. said it had no information to suggest any threats were credible. A copy of the threatening email was provided to the Lexington Herald Leader by Kentucky Secretary of State Michael Adams’ office. It read, in part: “I placed multiple explosives inside of your State Capitol. The explsoives (sic) are well hidden inside and they will go off in a few hours .I will make sure you all end up dead,” they wrote.  Maine’s Secretary of State Shenna Bellows and her staff have received threatening communications since she disqualified former President Donald Trump from the state’s primary ballot. Bellows has also been the victim of a swatting incident. “The barrage of aggressive, abusive communications that came into my office all day Friday to members of my staff, the targeting of my family and the targeting of other people online who stood up for me is unacceptable,” Bellows said in an interview Tuesday. “The swatting of my home is unacceptable.” Georgia’s Gabriel Sterling was also the victim of swatting.  “My family has now joined the ranks of those who have had their home ‘swatted,’” Sterling, chief operating officer for the Georgia secretary of state’s office, posted Wednesday evening on Xwitter. “We should all refuse to allow bomb threats & swatting to be the new normal.” Sterling wrote that someone called 911 and reported “a drug deal gone bad” at his home address. Police were dispatched, but the episode concluded without incident. Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold said she received death threats in the wake of the lawsuit that was filed in her state that eventually led to Trump being kicked off the ballot in her state. “Within three weeks of the lawsuit being filed, I received 64 death threats. I stopped counting after that,” Griswold said on Xwitter. “I will not be intimidated. Democracy and peace will triumph over tyranny and violence.”

Artificial Intelligence: As concerns about the impact Artificial Intelligence may have on the 2024 election continue to grow, Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes made it the focus of a two-day table-top training exercise (TTX). The training, offered to stakeholders and representatives from all 15 counties, is the first in a series to help election officials prepare for the upcoming election cycle. “Mis, dis and mal-information – or MDM – remain a primary threat to the security of our elections,” Secretary of State Adrian Fontes said. “Advances in AI and deepfake technology heighten the potential for chaos. We are going to make sure we are prepared for what is coming our way.” During the TTX, Fontes tried to fool participants by presenting them with AI-generated audio and video of key officials — including Fontes himself — spinning falsehoods. “It was the first [Election Day simulation] that included artificial intelligence as a focus point,” Fontes told Politico. And unless you knew him or his staff well enough to ferret out the half-truths told in the clips, he said, the AI-powered fakes “wouldn’t necessarily be non-believable.” The fake of Fontes, for example, offered false but trivial facts about himself, like that he had a son who plays ice hockey. Cait Conley, a senior adviser to the director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and one of the federal government’s top election officials, praised Arizona’s exercise as one of the “best ways” to ensure states are prepared for Election Day. But she also acknowledged how much harder the fast-evolving tech could make things. “Heading into 2024, generative AI is likely to exacerbate many of the risks election officials already face,” she said.

Time to Vote: This week, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) announced that federal employees may now receive up to four hours of administrative leave to vote in federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial elections. OPM also announced that federal employees may now use up to four hours of administrative leave per year to serve as non-partisan poll workers or observers.  “The functioning of our democracy and protecting the right to vote are core American ideals,” said Kiran Ahuja, OPM Director. “Today’s guidance advances fundamental goals of the Biden-Harris Administration: to promote democracy, reduce barriers to voting for federal employees, and further position the federal government as a model employer for other employers to follow. OPM is proud to help lead this effort.”  Historically, OPM guidance has provided administrative leave to federal employees on election day only. It also allowed employees to access paid time off in limited circumstances based on employee’s work schedule and the polling hours in their community. New guidance released today recognizes that voting has evolved beyond a single election day and reduces barriers to voting by directing agencies to provide time off for employees to vote at any time the polls are open, either on election day or during an early voting period.   Additionally, OPM is authorizing agencies to grant up to four hours of administrative leave, which may be combined with other leave or time off, for employees to work as a non-partisan poll worker or election observer. Under the previous policy, issued in 2020, federal agencies were encouraged to authorize excused absences for employees who wanted to serve as non-partisan election officials. OPM’s new policy moves beyond excused absences to allowing a limited amount of paid time off in recognition of the important role non-partisan poll workers play in our democracy.

Personnel News: Beatrice Devereaux Biddick has been selected to serve as the interim elections administrator in Cascade County, Montana. Washoe County, Nevada Registrar of Voters Jamie Rodriguez is resigning. Grundy County, Iowa Auditor and Commissioner of Elections, Rhonda Deters is retiring. Director of Fairfield County, South Carolina Voter Registration and Elections, Debby Stidham, has retired. Chris Madison is the new director of the Arkansas State Board of Election Commissioners. Terrence Meyers has stepped down as the Chowan County, North Carolina elections director. He will now serve in the role as associate elections director helping train new Elections Director Kristina Nixon.

Legislative Updates

Indiana:  Senate Bill 26 would prohibit someone from carrying a gun in any room where ballots are being counted, certain areas where voters could gather and at the polls themselves. It would also ban someone from having a gun in the 50-foot area leading up to the polls. That area is called a “chute.”  A person who not only violates the proposed law by having a gun in the restricted areas, but then points the gun at someone, could be looking at a prison term of six months to 2 1/2 years.  In Indiana, voters are allowed to bring guns into a voting location, unless it’s a church, a school or a private space where firearms are not allowed. State Sen. Lonnie Randolph, D-District 2, who introduced SB26, proposed a similar measure in 2022. That bill never received a hearing.

Iowa: Secretary of State Paul Pate outlined his legislative priorities this week and emphasized the need for consistency during vote recounts and poll worker trainings. Pate said he wants all counties to canvas votes on the Tuesday after election day, which would eliminate Monday as an option. He also proposed that having the number of people helping with a recount should be based on the respective county’s population. He said this would help make the process more efficient, accurate and consistent across the state. We have to constantly be on guard,” Pate said. “There are a lot of foreign actors that try and mess with our elections and we’ve done a great job on the cyber side. We also know there is a thing about voter confidence and after the last presidential election we’ve got a lot of national attention to it. Iowans have a great confidence in our system and we believe we’ve done a good job but you’ve gotta stay ahead of it. Pate mentioned he wants to make sure poll workers are trained the same, no matter what district they’re in, to provide all Iowa voters with the same experience.

New Hampshire: This week, by a vote of 195-172, the House passed a bill that would make registering to vote an online experience.  House Bill 463 would allow the Secretary of State’s Office to create an online election information portal that would let new voters register to vote in their city or town over the internet – and would let all voters request absentee ballots online as well. The bill moves next to the Senate.

Also this week, the House killed a Senate bill, Senate Bill 156, that would have allowed an authorized election official access to nonpublic information in the state’s voter database in order to verify a voter’s identity, if necessary.

Other elections-related bills still up for consideration this year include: House Bill 1133, which would allow overseas voters and those in the military to send in their completed ballots by email, House Bill 1264, would mandate that towns and cities acquire the machines for use in local elections as well. The machines allow voters to use tablets and sound prompts to more easily vote. House Bill 1569, would increase the requirements to vote by requiring a photo identification at the polls – with no exceptions. Currently, voters may fill out an affidavit that attests to who they are and where they live and must mail documents to prove this to the Secretary of State’s Office within seven days of the election, or face criminal charges. Lynn’s bill would eliminate that option, and it would require new voters to present a “birth certificate, passport, naturalization papers” or other document that demonstrates their citizenship in order to register.  House Bill 1364 would make harassment of election officials a crime, and would make it illegal to post personal information online that brings an “imminent and serious threat” to them or their family. HB 1364 would also prohibit any threats of force or violence made “in retaliation against the official on account of the official’s performance of the official’s duties” – currently, the anti-intimidation law applies only while the poll worker is working at the polling place. House Bill 1310, would require that supervisors of the checklist meet at least every 90 days – during election years and non-election years – to keep the town or city voter rolls continually up to date. Senate Bill 490 would shorten the state’s schedule to update the voter rolls from every 10 years to every two years. House Bill 1557 would mandate that the Secretary of State’s Office enter into a membership agreement with ERIC. Republicans have opposed membership, objecting to portions of the program that promote voter registration. Senate Bill 489 would require the Secretary of State’s Office to conduct an audit of at least eight ballot counting devices across the state after an election.

New Jersey: The Senate passed Senator Vin Gopal’s bill, S-3598, aiming to enhance voting machine accuracy. This legislation requires annual recertification and checks upon software modifications by the Secretary of State. The bill responds to a Monmouth County incident where a school board election result was overturned due to a voting machine error. It mandates testing and a checklist to ensure accurate vote recording and tabulation. The Senate approved the bill unanimously with a 34-0 vote.

 

New York: Gov. Kathy Hochul signed legislation to move most local elections to even years, which will align the normally low-turnout local municipal races with ballots for president, Congress and governor. The move by Hochul, was welcomed by voting suffrage groups and many Democrats, who are most likely to benefit from the change. The bill was admonished by not only Republicans, but also the New York State Association of Counties and some Democratic elections commissioners. The controversial measure was passed in the final stages of the 2023 legislative session. Hochul described the controversial measure as a “significant step towards expanding access to the ballot box and promoting a more inclusive democracy.” Proponents have argued the shift will save taxpayers money by consolidating elections.

Charleston South Carolina: A resolution supporting a change to the way South Carolinians elect local officials failed to gain traction among Charleston City Council members. At his final council meeting on Dec. 19, outgoing Mayor John Tecklenburg introduced the resolution that calls on the state’s Legislature to add instant runoff, or ranked-choice, voting as an alternative to current election methods. “I want to make clear that we’re not approving instant runoff voting at all,” Tecklenburg said ahead to the vote. “We’re just asking the Legislature to give us that as an additional option and in the event that they decide to pass that on the state level, then a future mayor and a future council would have to make a decision as to whether we want it or not. We’re just asking for it as an option.” The change would require a change in state law, and then municipalities would have to opt in. Opposing bills, one calling for ranked-choice voting and another banning it, have been introduced in the state Legislature.

South Carolina: Under a newly proposed Senate bill S. 886, those applying for a driver’s license, ID card or renewal license can use the same signature on their application form as an “auto-registration” to vote. The bill was proposed by Senator Deon Tedder. Tedder says the goal is to provide better accessibility to the right to vote by providing a one-stop service opportunity. This is contrary to the current method, where it is required to fill out a separate form and sometimes travel to register. Those who do not want to participate and instead go the traditional route may request to decline the automatic registration. Tedder says it is a “common-sense” bill and would ease the process for many in the community, including first-time voters, those who are actively moving, senior voters and more. “When I go to places, speak to people and ask who’s registered to vote, there’s still so many who are not. It’s not because they don’t want to, it’s because there’s an extra step and they actually have to go somewhere to do it. We know everyone’s going to get a driver’s license or identification card. Let’s make it easier,” Tedder says.

Virginia: A bill pre-filed ahead of the 2024 General Assembly session would add space on Virginia’s voter registration application for voters to choose which political party they affiliate with.  Additionally, parties would then have the option to restrict their primary to only voters registered with that party. “A lot of party officials really push for closed primaries,” Randolph-Macon political science professor Rich Meagher said. “If you want to vote in a Republican primary, you should be a Republican. You should have to declare your party allegiance … that way, it keeps it in the family.”  Currently, Virginia holds open primaries, where voters have the option to choose which party’s primary they vote in. The current system does give some voters in non-competitive districts a voice, Meagher said — something the proposed bill could change.  The bill, should it pass, wouldn’t take effect until 2025, meaning it would not affect next year’s presidential primary elections.

Clark County, Washington: A proposed initiative would require post-election audits and enhanced security at ballot drop boxes, among other changes. Elections officials, however, say parts of the initiative may conflict with state and federal law. Rob Anderson filed the proposed Restore Election Confidence initiative with the Clark County Elections Office, which forwarded it to the county prosecuting attorney’s office for legal review and a ballot title. Then, Anderson will need to gather roughly 27,000 signatures by June 8 to get it on the November ballot. The initiative would prohibit “fake ballots” from being sent or counted and require 85 percent of all ballots to be processed and tallied by the end of Election Day. The initiative also calls for security cameras at ballot drop locations, as well as the cleanup of voter registration rolls 30 days before ballots are mailed. If voters approve the initiative in November, it calls for all the measures to be in place by the next election. Funding to implement the changes would come from the election office’s existing budget. Any additional funding would be approved by the Clark County Council. However, the initiative states that “no new taxes or fees shall be proposed or adopted as a source of funding.

 

Legal Updates

Arizona: Cochise County Supervisors Peggy Judd and Tom Crosby pleaded not guilty Dec. 21, 2023 to felony charges for delaying the certification of their county’s 2022 midterm election results. Judd and Crosby had balked for weeks about certifying the results. They didn’t cite problems with election results. But they said they weren’t satisfied that the machines used to tabulate ballots were properly certified for use in elections, though state and federal election officials said they were. During brief arraignment hearings late last year, Judd and Crosby pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy and interference with an election officer and were informed of future court dates, including a May 16 trial. The county finally certified its results after a judge ruled the Republican supervisors broke the law when they refused to sign off on the vote count by a deadline. Crosby skipped the meeting, leaving Judd and Supervisor Ann English, the board’s lone Democrat, to finally approve the canvass, allowing the statewide certification to go forward as scheduled.

Huntington Beach, California: Superior Court Judge Nick Dourbetas declined to block a voter ID referendum from appearing on the March 2024 ballot in the coastal enclave of Huntington Beach, California. In a short, 1-page ruling, Dourbetas wrote that the petitioner, a Huntington Beach resident named Mark Bixby, wanted “the judiciary serve as an auditor of what the electorate may consider for the supposed purpose of preserving democracy.” “This runs counter to the general rule counseling against pre-election review of the contents of the ballot,” Dourbetas wrote. “If this measure were to pass, and if its implementation raises an issue of constitutionality, at that point, it may be appropriate for judicial review.” Should the measure be approved by voters in March, then the court could take up the issue of whether or not the law was constitutional. In a written statement, Bixby said, “A municipal voter ID law is wrong; it violates the Constitutional rights to vote and state law, and we intend to ensure that it never gets imposed in the City of Huntington Beach. Voters should vote down this nonsense, and if they don’t we will make sure that the courts strike it down.” In October, a fractious Huntington Beach City Council voted 4-3 to add three charter amendments to the March 2024 primary ballot. One would give the city the authority to run its own local elections, a power which currently rests with the county. It would also give the city the power to ask voters for a photo ID before being allowed to cast their ballots.

Colorado: Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold submitted on her behalf by the office of Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to grant a so-called writ of certiorari, a formal order issued by the Supreme Court when it agrees to take up a case. In a historic ruling issued Dec. 19, the Colorado Supreme Court ordered Griswold not to place Trump on the ballot, siding with plaintiffs who argued that he is ineligible for the office of president under the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Section 3 of the Amendment, ratified in the wake of the Civil War, prohibits a person who “engaged in insurrection” after taking an oath to support the Constitution from holding office again. In their filing, attorneys for Griswold echoed the position taken by the plaintiffs in a brief filed, asking the court to weigh in on two key questions raised by the case — whether Section 3 of the 14th Amendment applies to the president, and whether it can be enforced by a state without congressional action — but decline to review a third question presented by the Colorado Republican Party, asking whether denying it the ability to nominate “the candidate of its choice” in an election violates the First Amendment.

Georgia: District Court Judge Steve C. Jones ruled this week that a Texas group’s campaign to challenge the eligibility of hundreds of thousands of Georgia voters in the nationally watched U.S. Senate runoffs did not violate the Voting Rights Act. Jones concluded that Fair Fight Action did not show that True the Vote’s actions leading up to the dual Senate runoffs in early 2021 amounted to voter intimidation, as the voting rights group founded by Democrat Stacey Abrams attempted to argue. “Not only have Plaintiffs failed to overcome the fact that their actions did not result in any direct voter contact or alone include or direct county Boards of Elections to pursue an eligibility inquiry, but there is no evidence that Defendants’ actions caused (or attempted to cause) any voter to be intimidated, coerced, or threatened in voting,” Jones wrote in a 145-page ruling. Jones did, however, express some concern for the conservative group’s methods, particularly when it came to compiling a list of voters to challenge. “(True the Vote’s) list utterly lacked reliability. Indeed, it verges on recklessness,” he wrote. “The Court has heard no testimony and seen no evidence of any significant quality control efforts, or any expertise guiding the data process.” Jones also emphasized in a footnote that his ruling should not be misconstrued as the court condoning True the Vote’s actions in pushing “a mass number of seemingly frivolous challenges.”

U.S. District Judge Steve Jones ruled that Georgia’s Republican-led General Assembly “fully complied” with his orders to create an additional political district with a majority of Black voters. In 2022, Jones found the state’s 2021 political district map violated the Voting Rights Act by diluting Black voting power in certain areas of the state, and in October the judge ordered state legislators to draw an additional, majority-Black congressional district in the west-metro Atlanta area. The new district lines, which keep Republicans in control of the state’s legislature and congressional delegation, were signed into law on Dec. 8 by Georgia Governor Brian Kemp.  While the state gained additional districts with a majority of Black voters under the redrawn maps, it changed little in partisan representation, Judge Jones noted. “Here, the committee and floor debate transcripts make clear that the General Assembly created the 2023 Remedial Congressional Plan in a manner that politically protected the majority party (i.e., the Republican Party) as much as possible,” he wrote in his order.  “However, redistricting decisions by a legislative body with an eye toward securing partisan advantage does not alone violate Section 2” of the Voting Rights Act, the judge added.

Iowa: On November 21, 2023, Kim Taylor, wife of a Woodbury County supervisor, was found guilty of 26 counts of false information in registering and voting, three counts of fraudulent registration, and 23 counts of fraudulent voting. Taylor filed for an acquittal on December 1, 2023 claiming that there wasn’t enough evidence for a conviction. In the state’s rebuttal late last year they argued that the families that testified at trial were more than enough to prove Taylor’s guilt. The state is asking the court to deny Taylor’s motion for acquittal. There is no date for when the court will decide on the motion. Taylor faces a maximum of five years in prison on each of the 52 counts. A sentencing date had not yet been set.

Maine: Former President Donald Trump’s campaign has appealed Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows’ decision to disqualify him from the state’s presidential primary ballot. A complaint filed in Kennebec County Superior Court on Tuesday says Bellows was a “biased decision maker” who should have recused herself from the decision. It also says the Maine secretary of state does not have the legal authority to consider the federal constitutional issues presented in complaints seeking to bar Trump from the ballot and, as a result, that Trump will be illegally excluded from the ballot based on Bellows’ decision. The filing also says that Bellows “made multiple errors of law and acted in an arbitrary and capricious manner.” Bellows anticipated a challenge and had said her ruling would be suspended until any court appeals could be heard. “Under Maine law, an appeal of the decision to the Maine Superior Court is the next step in the process laid out in the Maine election law,” Bellows said in a prepared statement Tuesday. “I have confidence in my decision and in the rule of law. Everyone who serves in government has a duty and obligation to uphold the Constitution first above all.”

Michigan: On December 21, a panel of three federal judges ruled that 13 of Michigan’s House and Senate districts, all currently held by Democrats, will need to be redrawn. Agee v. Benson, went to trial in November and alleged the legislative boundaries drawn up by the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission (MICRC)  violated the Voting Rights Act (VRA) by diluting Black voting power in more than a dozen Detroit-area legislative districts. “The record here shows overwhelmingly — indeed, inescapably — that the Commission drew the boundaries of plaintiffs’ districts predominantly on the basis of race,” stated the opinion. “We hold that those districts were drawn in violation of the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution.” The opinion came from U.S. Circuit Judge Raymond M. Kethledge and U.S. District Court Judges Paul L. Maloney and Janet T. Neff, who were all appointed by Republican former President George W. Bush. The plaintiffs, 19 African-American Detroiters who live in 13 different Michigan House and Senate districts that each include a portion of Detroit, filed the suit in March 2022.

The Michigan Supreme Court has ruled that that Donald Trump can appear on the state’s Republican primary ballot, but the court declined to weigh in for now on whether Trump is eligible to run in the general election and serve again as president.

Montana: Flathead County District Court Judge Robert Allison has granted Kalispell city councilor Ryan Hunter’s motion to intervene in a case that seeks to nullify the November municipal election and hold it again. Following a clerical error in the Nov. 7 election, the county election administrator — through a court petition filed early this month — is seeking to nullify the election and hold a redo for the four Council wards on the ballot.  Hunter, in court documents, says that the annulment and initiation of a new election would cause him and the public “considerable harm” and could not have had a meaningful impact on the election outcome for Ward 3, which he was reelected to serve.  The error caused some ballots to be distributed incorrectly during the election process. The county says 176 voters voted on an incorrect ballot, but that 1,400 eligible voters were affected by the error. Flathead County Clerk and Recorder Debbie Pierson is asking the court to allow her department to conduct a new election and pay for the election.

New Hampshire: The Democratic National Committee and New Hampshire Democrats are suing state officials over a Republican-backed law that they claim “imposes undue burdens” on Granite Staters’ right to vote.  In a 27-page complaint filed December 22, 2023 in New Hampshire Superior Court, the Democrats argue that Senate Bill 418 unjustly complicates statewide elections by requiring those who register to vote on Election Day without photo ID to send in verifying documentation to the New Hampshire Secretary of State. Those voters will submit an “affidavit ballot” on Election Day, which “will be excluded from the final vote count unless the person complies with a burdensome identity-verification process within seven days of the election,” the Democrats claim in the lawsuit. Should those voters miss the seven-day deadline, not only will their votes be tossed under the law, but the secretary of state would be required to turn over their names to the state attorney general’s office for possible criminal investigation. The law “does not require that these individuals be informed that their votes will not be counted or that they have been referred for potential prosecution,” the Democrats claim.

New York: Supreme Court Justice Christina L. Ryba has rejected a request from U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik and the Republican Party to temporarily suspend a new state law that allows any registered voter in New York to cast their ballot early by mail. The case, in which the GOP is seeking a temporary injunction while they argue their case that the law violates the constitution, will next head to an appellate court in Albany. Stefanik is seeking a final ruling on the merits of the case ahead of the 2024 election, in which New York’s congressional races could dictate control of Congress. Under prior law, a voter could file an absentee ballot if they provided an excuse such as being a member of the military, traveling or having a conflict such as a pre-scheduled surgery. A temporary law during the COVID-19 pandemic allowed anyone concerned about contracting the virus to request an absentee ballot. Stefanik has argued the only way to expand who is eligible to vote by mail is through a constitutional amendment. Ryba found the GOP’s argument for a preliminary injunction, which would have prevented the law from taking effect in 2024, is insufficient. She said the Republicans did not demonstrate they would face “irreparable harm” if the law stays on the books. Republicans immediately appealed the ruling.

North Carolina: U.S. Magistrate Judge Joe Webster issued an order recommending to deny a request by lawyers for groups representing poor residents and Black union members to invalidate what they called the “strict liability” law. The law was first challenged in part on racial bias claims over three years ago, with those who sued hoping to get it addressed in time for the 2020 elections. But following a series of legal hurdles, Webster’s ruling came just weeks before absentee voting begins for this year’s primary elections in the nation’s ninth-largest state for contests like president, governor and attorney general. The groups who sued state election officials can formally object to Webster’s recommendation to deny their motion and dismiss the litigation to U.S. District Judge Loretta Biggs in Winston-Salem, who will make a final decision that could still be appealed further. The lawsuit has continued despite a change to the challenged law in the fall by the Republican-controlled General Assembly, which specified that a felony offender has to know they were breaking the law by voting for there to be a crime. Without that change, which went into effect Jan. 1, a person could be prosecuted even if casting a ballot was an unintentional mistake. Webster, who listened to in-person arguments in Durham federal court in November, sided with state attorneys defending the law who argued that the groups now lack legal standing to sue. But the Jan. 1 alteration requiring intentionality in voting illegally “substantially diminishes any prospective voter’s perceived threat of prosecution and any resulting confusion,” Webster wrote. “As a result, Plaintiffs can no longer claim that they must divert substantial resources to educate volunteers and prospective voters regarding the new law because much of the confusion concerning one’s eligibility to vote has been eliminated,” he added.

Pennsylvania: Three Democratic national committees are filing an intervention motion to counter GOP attempts to disqualify Pennsylvania voters’ misdated mail-in ballots in future elections. The Democratic National Committee (DNC), Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC), and Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) filed the motion Friday to intervene in Pennsylvania State Conference of NAACP Branches v. Secretary, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania so that mail-in ballots with the wrong date — or no date — on the outer ballot would be counted.  “The right to vote is the cornerstone of our democracy,” the executive directors of the organizations — Sam Cornale, (DNC) Christie Roberts, (DSCC) and Julie Merz, (DCCC) — said in a joint statement. “Every eligible voter in Pennsylvania and across the country has a constitutional right to have their voice heard, but Republicans’ assaults on their freedom to cast their ballots would throw away Pennsylvanians’ perfectly legal votes and undermine our democracy. At every turn, as the GOP launches cynical, baseless attacks on Americans’ voting rights, Democrats will intervene on the side of voters.”  The committees are asking to intervene to ensure that any timely mail ballots that are undated or incorrectly dated are counted in all future elections. The date is not material to the validity of the vote or the eligibility of the voter, the groups argue.

South Carolina: South Carolina voters have filed a lawsuit hoping to expand absentee voting for all, regardless of age.  Attorney Armand Derfner represents several Palmetto State voters suing the state over the absentee voting rules. Those individuals explained that the right to vote shouldn’t come with obstacles in a lawsuit filed in late December.  “The right to vote really belongs to all the people,” Derfner said.  After 2020, state lawmakers adjusted absentee voting rules, making it harder to qualify. One of those qualifications is being over the age of 65. Anyone 65 or over can vote absentee. Derfner’s clients argued that someone’s age should not give them special voting privileges. They also argue that the law violates the 26th Amendment, which reads: “The right of citizens of the United States, who are eighteen years of age or older, to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of age.”  “There are several plaintiffs in the case,” Derfner said. “All of them [are] under 65, and all of them want the opportunity [to vote].”  The five-page lawsuit compared the rule to age discrimination. However, another perspective of absentee ballots is their convenience.

Virginia: The United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit dismissed an appeal filed against Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares over allegedly misleading political flyers mailed out before election season this year. Look Ahead America, Inc., also known as Virginia Voter Assistance, was distributing mailers that Miyares claims were “false and intimidating” to voters in northern Virginia, leading the attorney general to send a cease and desist letter in October. According to Miyares, the mailers stated that if voters did not cast their ballots they could lose their Social Security income, Medicare eligibility, unemployment benefits, child tax credits, child custody rights, and concealed carry permits. In turn, Look Ahead America Inc. filed a lawsuit against Miyares challenging voter intimidation statutes. The United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia denied the organization’s requested injunction, however.

More than a year after the indictment of a county election official on corruption charges, the Virginia Attorney General’s Office dropped the final charge in the case. During a brief hearing, Judge Carroll A. Weimer Jr. granted a motion to end the case against Michele White, formerly registrar for Prince William County.  Charges against White initially included two felonies, corrupt conduct and making a false statement regarding an election, along with a misdemeanor count of neglect of duty by an elections officer. The attorney general’s office dropped the felony charges against her in December.  In court filings, James R. Herring, assistant attorney general, explained that a key witness, Sean Mulligan, “conveniently and quite surprisingly provided a different version of events from that which he had previously provided to investigators.” White’s attorney, Zachary Stafford of the firm Lawrence, Smith and Gardner, said Mulligan, who served as assistant registrar, never changed his story. Rather, investigators failed to properly vet the witness. He explained that the most concerning charge against White involved altering election results in VERIS  (Virginia Election and Registration Information System) on Nov. 7, 2020, with incorrect numbers for the central absentee precinct. That charge was subsequently disproven, Stafford said.

Wisconsin: Dane County Circuit Court Judge Ryan Nilsestuen this week issued two decisions making broad changes to how state law and elections rules require a witness to an absentee ballot to provide their address in order for the ballot to be counted. In one lawsuit from the local chapter of the League of Women Voters Nilsestuen said rejecting ballots based on a failure to meet the witness address requirements violates the Civil Rights Act of 1964. In another lawsuit from RISE — a group that in part advocates for student debt relief and youth get-out-the-vote efforts — the judge adopted a more lenient definition of the term “address” as pushed for by the group. The two decisions mark another twist in years of legal wrangling over the linchpin swing state’s absentee voting rules, particularly those regarding witnesses to absentee ballots that must sign the ballots’ certificates. Wisconsin, where the last two presidential elections have been decided by less than 25,000 votes, has its primary for the 2024 contest on April 2.

In a 4-3 decision released December 22, 2023, the Wisconsin Supreme Court held that Wisconsin’s voting maps as currently drawn violate the state constitution and must be redrawn in time for the 2024 election. Under the Wisconsin Constitution, state legislative districts must consist of “contiguous territory.” Yet, the majority opinion states, “the number of state legislative districts containing territory completely disconnected from the rest of the district is striking.” “At least 50 of 99 Assembly districts and at least 20 of 33 Senate districts include separate, detached territory,” states the majority opinion, written by Justice Jill Karofsky. The voters who brought the lawsuit, Clarke v. Wisconsin Elections Commission, argued that the current districts violate the constitution and asked the Court to  order the adoption of remedial maps. They also asked the Court to declare the November 2022 state Senate elections unlawful, and to order special elections for state Senate seats that would otherwise not be on the ballot until November 2026. The Court’s ruling agrees with the petitioners that “Wisconsin’s state legislative districts must be composed of physically adjoining territory,” and enjoins the Wisconsin Elections Commission from using the current legislative maps in future elections. But it declined to invalidate the results of the 2022 state Senate elections.

In a 2-1 decision, a three-judge panel from the 2nd District Court of Appeals overturned a Walworth County Circuit Court order that had dismissed a case against Walworth County Register in Probate Kristina Secord who had prohibited Ron Heuer and the Wisconsin Voters Alliance from obtaining records of people placed under guardianship to check them against the statewide voter registration list. At issue in the lawsuit is the balance between protecting the right to privacy for individuals who have been declared ineligible to vote based on incompetency and preventing valid votes from being canceled or diluted by ineligible votes. In the lawsuit, Heuer and WVA alleged the number of “ineligible voters” listed on the Wisconsin Elections Commission’s public website was inconsistent with counties’ tallies from voting wards. The court ruled that “if the voter ineligibility determination is, in fact, pertinent to the finding of incompetency, WVA has not only demonstrated a need for this information but has demonstrated that it is entitled to the requested Notices (in full or redacted form) pursuant to the Public Records Law.” The decision stipulated that neither WVA nor any member of the public should be given guardianship case numbers or individuals’ birthdates, and left room for the circuit court to require additional redactions for privacy purposes.

Opinions This Week

National Opinions: Safe and secure in 2024 | Trust in elections | Voter fraud, II | Election workers | Democracy, II, III | ERIC | Civil rights | Election lies

Arizona: Election security

Arkansas: Ballot counting

California: Special election

Idaho: County clerks

Illinois: Candidate information

Maine: Secretary of state, II, III | Ballot access

Massachusetts: Turnout

Michigan: Democracy | Canvassing boards

Mississippi: Runoffs

Missouri: Voting system

New Jersey: Voting equipment | Democracy

New York: Voting Rights Act

North Carolina: Voting rights | Voter ID

North Dakota: Voting Rights Act

Pennsylvania: Automatic voter registration

Utah: Local elections

Virginia: Disenfranchisement

Washington: Latine voters | Clark County

West Virginia: Ranked choice voting

Upcoming Events

Joint Election Officials  Liaison Conference (JELOC): The Election Center will hold the annual JELOC once again in Arlington, Virginia. Among the courses offered in conjunction with the conference will be Renewal Course 37. In addition to Election Center committee meetings, the convening will include briefings from many of the federal agencies that work with state and local elections officials—the U.S. EAC, FVAP, DOJ, CISA, FBI and the Council of State Governments. Additionally there will be briefings from NCSL, NASS, NASED, and NACo. Congressional staff have also been invited to provide remarks.  When: January 10-14, 2024. Where: Arlington, Virginia.

iGO Midwinter Conference: The International Association of Government Officials will hold its Midwinter Conference in Savanah, Georgia. The conference will feature educational sessions, workshops, team building and planning sessions. When: Jan. 22-26, 2024. Where: Savannah, Georgia

NASED Winter Conference: The National Association of State Election Directors will hold its annual winter conference in February 2024. More details to come. When: February 8-10, 2024. Where: Washington, DC.

NASS Winter Conference: The National Association of Secretaries of State will hold its annual winter conference in February 2024. More details to come. When: February 7-10, 2024. Where: Washington, DC.

Election Center Special Workshop: The Election Center will hold its February special workshop in Nashville. The workshop will feature presentations of professional practice papers. Additionally several CERA classes will be held in conjunction with the workshop. When: Feb. 21-25. Where: Nashville, Tennessee.

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.

Administrative Specialist (Elections Specialist Lead), King County, Washington— This is an amazing opportunity to be engaged in the election process! This position will be filled as a Term-Limited Temporary position or Special Duty Assignment for current King County employees who have passed their initial probationary period. It is anticipated to last until December 2024. The Department of Elections is searching for an energetic and resourceful professional who likes to get stuff done. The Administrative Specialist III in the Elections Department combines an exciting 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. This position will lead processes, projects, and people within the Signature Verification work area of Ballot Processing. This will include leading, coaching, mentoring, and training temporary and regular staff. Leads may also provide assistance and/or participate in long-term cross-training in multiple work areas to meet organizational agile efforts. This is a great opportunity for a person with strong communication and interpersonal skills. Salary: $28.20 – $35.87 Hourly. Deadline: Jan. 8, 2024. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.

Assistant Elections Administrator, Hood County, Texas— To provide clerical and customer assistance necessary in structuring, organizing and implementing the voter registration process and the county election process. Essential duties and responsibilities include: Assist the Elections Administrator in conducting elections within Hood County, including local, state, and national elections. Supervises and directs the activities of the Elections Department in the absence of the Elections Administrator. Prepare election supplies for use during Early Voting and on Election Day. Assist in the preparation, setup and testing of electronic equipment and software. Assist the Elections Administrator with election reporting. Compile, organize and secure temporary and permanent election records according to the retention schedule set forth by the Texas Election Code and Texas Government Code. Perform a variety of duties during elections including processing individual precinct lists, preparing sites for early voting, verifying voter eligibility, mailing ballots, Federal Post Card applications and mailings, processing requests to vote by mail and maintaining accurate records of all voting transactions. Maintain voter registration database and street index; and review various maps to properly assign districts to street address ranges. Maintain security of elections equipment and records. Communicate with poll workers regarding training, work schedule and polling place procedures. Oversees the disbursement and receiving of election equipment prior to Election Day and on election night respectively. Occasionally attend/present information on behalf of the Elections Administrator, to include Commissioners Court meetings, Poll Worker training sessions and Public Hearings. Provide public assistance regarding election issues/questions. Assist with maintenance of office supply inventory, prepare requisitions as necessary. Must be available to work extended hours and/or weekends when necessary. Help develop and maintain procedural manuals for all duties related to the Election Department. Supervise intake of equipment and supplies on election night.   This includes: verifying seals and locks, checking to make sure all equipment and supplies are returned, directing various central count personnel and any other tasks assigned by the Elections Administrator or Deputy Elections Administrator. Assist the Elections Administrator during Early Voting and Election Day. Communicate changes and problems to Elections Administrator. Perform other duties as assigned within the scope of the department. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.

Central Count Coordinator, Dallas County, Texas— This Dallas County Elections Department (“DCED”) position is located in the Central Counting Station Division. Dallas County utilizes ES&S voting equipment and election management systems. We also utilize VOTEC software to help manage data for this process. Performs first line supervision of clerical support staff assigned to standardized tasks to include hiring, training, coordinating workflow, monitoring performance, and ensuring effective and timely delivery of services. Management Scope: Supervises generally five (5) or more clerical support staff in one or more of the smaller sections of the department. Supervises clerical support staff in performing standardized tasks related to receiving, filing and processing documents, fees and fines, maintaining records, files and reports, and providing excellent customer service. Ensures effective delivery of services by training staff, coordinating, delegating and monitoring assignments, evaluating performance, providing feedback and collecting data for performance measures. Acts as a technical expert, researches and resolves more complex issues, responds to inquiries, audits work processes and reconciles/corrects exceptions. Assists management with employee related issues which may include: serving on an interviewing team, coordinating leave activities, maintaining time and attendance, preparing performance appraisals and making staff recommendations. Stays abreast of changes in applicable laws, policies and procedures, recommends and implements changes to policies and standard operating procedures, and assists management in establishing goals and objectives. Performs other duties as assigned. Salary: $3598-$4491. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.

Customer Support Manager, Hart InterCivic— The full-time Customer Support Consultant role is an on-site position located in the Austin, Texas Metropolitan Area. The role’s primary responsibility is to support Hart’s commitment to extraordinary service by ensuring customer satisfaction through prompt issue resolution and effective communication. The successful candidate will be responsible for resolving customer questions and issues and will collaborate with related teams to assist with technical issues, provide training, and maintain customer records. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.

Deputy Director, Miami County, Ohio— The Miami County Board of Elections is looking to fill the position of Deputy Director. The position of Deputy Director, under the direction of the Director, is responsible for overseeing, directing and managing the Board of Elections staff; conducting fair and impartial elections; managing operational procedures; devising, recommending and adhering to the annual budget; implementing changes required by the Ohio Secretary of State, federal legislation, and Ohio Revised Code, implementing policies of the Board of Elections, and reporting to the Ohio Secretary of State. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.

Deputy Election Director, Montgomery County, Maryland— he Deputy Election Director (Manager III) is a member of Board of Elections management.  They must have in-depth knowledge of the conduct of elections and Federal and State election laws, and as a senior election team member is expected to enable, promote, and provide high quality service to over 750,000 registered Montgomery County voters. The selected candidate will provide substantive input on upper-level policy issues, and will work closely with Election Director on planning, organizing, implementing, and reviewing all election processes.  Selected candidate will assist Election Director in setting priorities, design of operational plans, making operational decisions; anticipate problems, develop contingency plans, and identify resolutions to complex problems. The Deputy Election Director will be assigned supervisory responsibilities over different aspects of elections program, such as voter registration, mail-in and in-person voting, election workers recruitment and training, elections IT and voting equipment, elections operations, candidate filing, outreach and audits. S/he may coordinate assigned activities across Department’s functional sections. Additionally, they will be responsible for data collection, data tracking, analysis and presentation of relevant data, trends and projections to the Election Director, the Board, and public in the form of written reports and oral presentations.  The successful candidate will be responsible for preparing an overview and assessment of all legislative changes (both proposed and enacted) and lead, advise or coordinate integration of new legislative and programmatic requirements into established process. The Deputy Election Director will support BOE’s procurement and contract processes and will be responsible for recommending and monitoring execution of the Department’s budget.  The Deputy Election Director must possess highly effective communication skills, both written and oral, and s/he will be responsible for establishing and sustaining continuous communication with an array of contacts within the county government, other local boards of elections, and the Maryland State Board of Elections.  The Deputy Election Director will support and coordinate enhancement of the overall BOE performance and quality of customer service. Salary: $86,401-$152,940. Deadline: Jan. 4, 2024. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.

Director Board of Elections/Voter Registration, Bucks County, Pennsylvania— Are you ready to play a pivotal role in the election processes in Bucks County, the fourth largest county in the State of Pennsylvania? Are you committed to ensuring the efficient and accurate administration of elections while also maintaining the integrity of vital records of 470,992 registered voters? If so, we invite you to consider the role of Director of the Bucks County Board of Elections/Voter Registration. The Board of Elections office is at the heart of our community’s election governance, overseeing critical functions that impact every Bucks County resident. As a member of our team, you will collaborate with a dedicated group of 20 full-time and 40+ seasonal part-time employees, working under the direction of the Board of Elections/Voter Registration Director. Bucks County has an excellent benefits package including medical, vision, dental, and prescription as well as an employer-matched retirement program. Bucks County is a wonderful community to live, work, and play and is uniquely located along the I-95 Corridor. Directs operation of the offices of Board of Elections, Voter Registration, and Voting Machines. This includes planning and conducting elections, voter registration management, and ensuring compliance with election laws and regulations. The Director is responsible for training election staff, overseeing technological security measures to safeguard voting integrity as well as creating an annual budget. Communicates election information to the Board of Elections, County administration, and the public. Addresses any issues or concerns that may arise during the election process. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.

Election Information & Operations Coordinator, Alexandria, Virginia— The City of Alexandria is looking for an Elections Information & Operations Coordinator to manage the administrative operations and information programs of the Office of Voter Registration & Elections. On the administrative side, the Elections Information & Operations Coordinator is responsible for managing purchasing, accounts payable, human resources, payroll and scheduling for the office. On the public information side, the Elections Information & Operations Coordinator is responsible for maintaining the office web site, drafting all press releases, and coordinating all outreach activities. Works under the supervision of the General Registrar. Salary: $48,185.54 – $84,794.32. Deadline: Jan. 14, 2024. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.

Election Services Representative, Fort Orange Press— The Election Services Representative is an onsite position at our Albany, NY facility. It acts as a liaison between clients and internal Fort Orange Press teams (i.e., Estimating, Sales, Prepress, Production, Shipping, etc.). The primary focus is gathering election details, and artwork from numerous clients across the United States while coordinating all aspects of day-to-day processes to ensure a successful election cycle. The ideal candidate will have excellent communication skills and thrive in a high-pressure environment. Providing timely solutions for clients’ ever-evolving needs while building/maintaining quality relationships. Identifying new business opportunities within assigned accounts. This role is a brand ambassador to both current and prospective clients and requires an energetic personality, the ability to multitask, manage multiple clients and elections at the same time and serves as the internal client advocate. Salary: $23– $32 per hour.  Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.

Election Support Specialist, Iowa Secretary of State— The Elections Division of the Office of Secretary of State is hiring an Election Support Specialist. This position reports to the Director of Elections. The Elections Support Specialist will be focused on providing administrative program support to the Director and to the Elections Division of the Secretary of State. Specifically, the position will be primarily responsible for responding to requests and complaints related to issues with election administration and accessibility and the federal voting assistance program’s uniform and overseas citizens absentee voting act. The position will also be responsible for updates to the SOS website as content owner. Additionally, this position answers questions from members of the public and county auditors about elections administration over the telephone and email. This position will be required to provide first-tier assistance. This position will assist with voter maintenance, producing voter registration lists and fulfilling list requests, election night reporting, and other similar tasks. The role monitors progress toward program goals and objectives; and tracks data before, during, and after the elections, including statistics on absentee voting, turnout, voter records, election day registrations, etc. Salary: $47,008 – $69,118. Deadline: Jan. 16. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.

Election Support Specialist, Los Angeles, California— Choose your preferred work location from multiple cities within Los Angeles County! Are you passionate about civic duty? Then we’ve got the job for you! Adecco is hiring immediately for Election Support Specialists with a local client in the Los Angeles area. Election Support Specialists do essential jobs with one of our premier clients, with rates starting at $24.00/hr., plus available overtime. As an Election Support Specialist, you will be the key player in ensuring smooth elections by expertly setting up and tearing down booths and swiftly troubleshooting technical issues. Salary: $24/hr. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.

Elections Agency Trainer, City & County of Denver— Our ideal candidate will possess extensive knowledge of election processes, voting systems, and relevant legal frameworks. Responsibilities include developing and delivering training programs, designing instructional materials, and conducting hands-on sessions to ensure proficiency in election procedures. Additionally, the Elections Agency Trainer will collaborate with cross-functional teams to identify training needs, implement best practices, and continuously enhance the Election Division’s training curriculum. This role plays a critical part in upholding the integrity of the electoral process and ensuring the efficient and transparent execution of elections in the City and County of Denver. Salary: $59,075 – $97,474. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.

Elections Compliance Officer, Pima County, Arizona— Are you an experienced professional specializing in elections? The Pima County Elections Department is looking for you! Join our team and bring your expertise to the forefront of our mission. Your background in city, county, state, or federal agencies, coupled with your in-depth knowledge of election processes, will make you an invaluable asset. Be a part of our dedicated team, shaping policies, and ensuring the integrity of our electoral system while making a lasting impact on our community. If you’re ready for a rewarding challenge, apply today! (Work assignments may vary depending on the department’s needs and will be communicated to the applicant or incumbent by the supervisor) Independently plans, coordinates, monitors and participates in administrative and operational activities required to maintain compliance with state and federal election regulations; Verifies department director and staff operate within full compliance regarding any and all applicable legal regulations and timelines; Maintains a listing of legally required deadlines for the unit via a cyclical timeline; Manages campaign finance, including correspondence for late filings and violations; ensures candidate filing compliance, including challenges; Ensures federal and state voting equipment compliance; Responds to public records requests; Assures separation of duty compliance required by Pima County; Completes periodic compliance audits and provides findings with recommendations to the Director and Deputy Director; Prepares requisite drafts of new procedures or processes for preclearance by regulatory agencies in compliance with state or federal laws or other regulatory requirements;  Coordinates the compilation and submission of required reports to regulatory agencies; Ensures Department compliance with all poll worker regulations; Determines Department compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) with respect to facilities utilized in the elections process; Assists with grant requests; Develops and maintains public feedback tracking systems to capture voter complaints and concerns, allocate them to the appropriate division for resolution and record actions taken to rectify issues identified. Salary: $57,607 – $63,367. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.

Elections Equipment/Operations Analyst, Jackson County, North Carolina— This position performs intermediate skilled technical and operational support work assisting the Director with planning, directing, coordinating, and supervising the elections process. Duties and Responsibilities: Assists in Implementing changing election laws, coordinating elections, and supervising activities of the office. Oversees set up of One-Stop voting sites and network. Sets up all E-poll books according to polling place. Assists in machine logic and accuracy. Administers Campaign Reporting schedule. Provides requested information such as registration analysis, voting analysis, lists of precinct officials, precinct locations, precinct political committees, and campaign reports to the various candidates, campaign committees, party chairs, news media, and the general public. Provides requested information   regarding the North Carolina Campaign Reporting Act to prospective candidates, candidates, elected officials, media, and the general public, provides and notices of required reports to Candidates. Assists with audits submitted campaign reports, reviews, and verifies records to ensure that required information is provided and correct. Assists with polling sites database. Prepares campaign reports for public viewing. Assists with planning for and coordinating all early voting site, including the set up and close out of all sites.  Assists in training of one-stop workers.  Assists in canvassing the returns of all elections. Explains policies, laws, rules, regulations, and procedures to the public and other inquiring parties. Assists with voter registration verification procedures. Assists in ADA compliance and Campaign zones at polling places. Assists in processing and verifying petitions. Assists in preparing and conducting elections. Assists with state reporting requirements. Interacts with elected officials, candidates, the North Carolina Campaign Reporting Office, the general public, and the media. Performs other related job duties as assigned. Salary: $40,694. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.

Elections Operation Manager, Pima County, Arizona— Pima County Elections Department is actively seeking a highly qualified candidate with a unique blend of skills and experience to join our team as an Elections Operations Manager. The ideal candidate brings extensive expertise in voting equipment and e-poll books, ensuring the seamless functioning of critical election infrastructure. Your familiarity with online inventory systems will be instrumental in maintaining accurate and efficient inventory management. Additionally, your proven ability to collaborate with political parties and high-ranking officials sets you apart. Your past interactions with these stakeholders have showcased your exceptional communication and diplomacy skills, essential in the realm of elections. If you’re ready to leverage your expertise and contribute to the democratic process, we encourage you to apply. Join us in shaping the future of elections, where your skills and experience will make a significant impact. This classification is in the unclassified service and is exempt from the Pima County Merit System Rules. Duties/Responsibilities: (Work assignments may vary depending on the department’s needs and will be communicated to the applicant or incumbent by the supervisor.) Develops program goals, objectives, policies, and procedures, and establishes short- and long-range program performance plans subject to management review; Manages and administers program activities and evaluates program effectiveness and success; Manages the activities of professional staff and evaluates their performance; Develops, negotiates, monitors, and administers contracts, intergovernmental agreements, and/or financial and service agreements for the program managed; Monitors program contract compliance and takes corrective action as required; Performs as a program representative within the community, delivers informational news releases, serves as a program contact person, and participates in community awareness activities; Develops and maintains effective working relationships and coordinates program activities with other County departments, public and private agencies, organizations and groups to promote the program and its goals; Analyzes local, state and federal legislation and ensures program compliance with applicable regulations and policies; Directs organizational and management studies for the purpose of identifying problems and alternative solutions to the problems; Develops, writes and administers the program’s annual budget, prepares program-related financial forecasts, and identifies funding sources to support program activities; Reviews and analyzes routine and special reports detailing the status and/or success of the program, prepares recommendations, and/or initiates corrective action; Evaluates management problems and makes decisions regarding the proper course of action; May make recommendations to the Board of Supervisors regarding program objectives; May direct the preparation and submission of proposals and grant applications; May access or maintain specialized databases containing program-specific information to review information or generate reports. Salary: $57,607 – $63,367. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.

Elections Technician II, Pima County, Arizona— Participates in the supervision and training of elections personnel and the administration of elections activity. Duties/Responsibilities: Supervises and participates in activities involved in inventory control, ordering, receipt, delivery, and storage of election equipment and supplies; Researches election laws and regulations and prepares reports regarding impact on County election procedures; Supervises the preparation of the ballot order; Participates in preparing forms; Receives and files nomination forms; Assists in generating signature requirements necessary for the candidate or proposition to be placed on the ballot; Supervises and coordinates requisite training of election office and warehouse personnel; Coordinates the transportation and delivery of voting machines, supplies and equipment to polling places; Makes minor adjustments to voting machines to ensure functionality and operability prior to use by the public; Demonstrates voting machine operation and explains voting procedures to the public and elections workers; Participates in updating precinct and district maps; Assists State and local agencies in administering election activities; Participates in coordinating elections activities with other government agencies or departments; Assists in the training of subordinate and volunteer staff. Salary: Hiring Range: $19.14 – $22.49/hr. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.

Logistics Coordinator, Dallas County, Texas— This Dallas County Elections Department (“DCED”) position is located on the Logistics team. Successful candidates will have the requisite experience to help manage the people, equipment, software systems, and processes related to election and voting logistics operations and administration. Performs first line supervision of clerical support staff assigned to standardized tasks to include hiring, training, coordinating workflow, monitoring performance, and ensuring effective and timely delivery of services. Supervises generally five (5) or more clerical support staff in one or more of the smaller sections of the department. Supervises clerical support staff in performing standardized tasks related to receiving, filing and processing documents, fees and fines, maintaining records, files and reports, and providing excellent customer service. Ensures effective delivery of services by training staff, coordinating, delegating and monitoring assignments, evaluating performance, providing feedback and collecting data for performance measures. Acts as a technical expert, researches and resolves more complex issues, responds to inquiries, audits work processes and reconciles/corrects exceptions. Assists management with employee related issues which may include: serving on an interviewing team, coordinating leave activities, maintaining time and attendance, preparing performance appraisals and making staff recommendations. Stays abreast of changes in applicable laws, policies and procedures, recommends and implements changes to policies and standard operating procedures, and assists management in establishing goals and objectives. Performs other duties as assigned. Salary: $3598-4491. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.

Precinct Manager, North Charleston, South Carolina— Are you passionate about democracy and civic engagement? Join us as a Precinct Manager at the Board of Elections and play a pivotal role in ensuring smooth and efficient elections! Welcome to the Board of Voter Registration and Elections, where we are not just an agency, but a dynamic force committed to excellence in democracy. As an award-winning organization, we pride ourselves on our relentless pursuit of improvement to better serve the voters in our community. A major way this is done is through the recruitment and management of those who serve as poll managers. At the heart of our mission is an unyielding dedication to organizing elections with precision, fairness, and strict adherence to the law. Salary: $64,209 – $84,146. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.

Research Director, CEIR— CEIR seeks a qualified Research Director to join our team. The Research Director will report to the Executive Director and lead CEIR’s research initiatives. These initiatives include, but are not limited to, matters pertaining to voter registration, voter access, election integrity and security, and election policy, generally. The Research Director will set goals aligned with CEIR’s mission and provide the research team with strategic direction on how to reach those goals, all while ensuring the rigor, integrity, and quality of all research activities. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced and highly motivated individual who wants to join a growing nonprofit that seeks to make a substantial, positive, nonpartisan impact on elections and American democracy. The Research Director role is a full-time job. CEIR supports hybrid work at its office in Washington, DC. However, we will consider outstanding candidates across the United States that wish to work remotely. CEIR’s office hours are 9am-5pm ET, and the Research Director is expected to be available during that time regardless of location. Salary Range: $110,000-160,000. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.

Program Officer, Hewlett Foundation— The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, based in Menlo Park, California, seeks a collaborative and outcomes-driven Program Officer for its U.S Democracy Program. As a key member of the U.S. Democracy Program, the Program Officer will engage in grantmaking within the program’s Strategy for Trustworthy Elections; will partner effectively and build and maintain strong relationships with grantees; and will monitor progress and engage in strategic planning for this strategy. The Program Officer will also be deeply engaged in national conversations regarding the future of U.S. democracy and will prioritize building and nurturing networks of practitioners and funders of elections systems. The Program Officer role works closely with a dedicated and dynamic team of colleagues to advance the program’s overall goals while focusing on grantmaking to support a well-administered, fair, accessible, and safe election. They will provide thought leadership around innovative ways that grantmaking and associated grantmaking efforts can build trust in elections. Additionally, they will monitor progress for purposes of ongoing strategy development, and a potential strategy refresh.  Successful candidates will exhibit a passion for the team’s vision of: a durable, inclusive liberal democracy that accounts for cultural and racial difference; and deep collaboration and learning. They will bring a keen understanding of election systems and best practices for their improvement.  The U.S. Democracy Program is nonpartisan and supports organizations across the ideological spectrum, including academic researchers, advocacy groups, think tanks, media platforms, infrastructure providers and civic leadership organizations who share our goals. We partner actively with other foundations in this field. Interested applicants can learn more about the U.S. Democracy Program’s strategy here. Salary: $195K-$223K. Deadline: Jan. 31, 2024. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.

Systems Integration Specialist, Oregon Secretary of State — Are you looking for an opportunity to use your skills in support of US elections? The Elections Division is looking for a systems integration specialist to work with hardware and software systems critical to election administration. In this role you will leverage technical skills, build relationships with stakeholders, and ensure that key systems are operated in an effective and secure manner, while providing support to Oregon’s 36 county election offices. You’ll be working in an exciting environment filled with opportunities to continue building on Oregon’s track record of innovation and joining a team committed to accuracy, providing effective services, and nonpartisan conduct. Salary: $6,016 – $9,243. Deadline: Jan. 10, 2024. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.

Temporary Elections Staff Attorney, Public Rights Project— Public Rights Project (PRP) is a public interest legal nonprofit, headquartered in Oakland, with a remote team based throughout the United States. Our mission is to close the gap between the promise of our laws and the lived reality of our most vulnerable communities. Since 2017, we have been working at the intersection of community organizing and state and local government enforcement to build a scalable, equitable community-based enforcement model to protect civil rights and advance economic justice. In the run-up to the 2024 presidential election, PRP is launching its Elections Hub to stand with progressive state and local governments, especially local elections officials, as they fight to protect the voting rights of their residents and secure safe and fair elections. PRP is building a rapid response litigation hub to support up to 200 election officials across 12 or more states. The goal of the hub is to provide training, technical assistance, and legal backup to election administrators to enable them to respond to election threats quickly and effectively. Public Rights Project seeks to hire a Temporary Staff Attorney to join the new Elections Hub. The Temporary Staff Attorney will staff PRP’s in-house efforts to represent and advise state, local, and tribal governments and elected officials in support of election administration and the expansion of voting rights.  Although this position does not incorporate formal supervisory responsibilities, the Temporary Staff Attorney will sometimes lead case teams and may review the work of other attorneys, alongside more independent work or work as a contributor to other case teams. This position reports to the Senior Staff Attorney and 2024 Election Hub Program  Manager. This position will also work closely with the Chief Programs Officer and the Legal Director. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.

Training and Education Coordinator, Pima County, Arizona— Researches, coordinates and develops materials for use in training staff and educating clients on procedures, rules, regulations, forms, requirements and equipment for area of assignment; Assists management in the identification of training needs for staff and education for clients; Collects, compiles, prepares, updates and assembles training and presentation materials and manuals; Designs new training and education materials and/or updates materials on a regular basis; Conducts initial training/orientation for newly hired staff to increase understanding of procedures and position responsibilities; Delivers training to classes and individuals through lectures, demonstrations, exercises and workshops; Conducts continuing education to comply with changes in federal, state and local regulations, policies and procedures, and to resolve specific performance deficiencies; Coordinates and investigates compliance with federal, state and/or local policies, laws and regulations and conducts quality control audits and reports on findings; Participates in the review of productivity levels for activities and staff, analyzes problem areas, identifies training needs and recommends solutions to management; Assesses implementation of policies and/or procedures and makes recommendations to management regarding changes and/or supplemental training; Provides additional training as needed, under management direction; Serves as the technical advisor for interpreting federal, state, and County policies, laws, rules and/or regulations governing are of assignment; Compiles statistical data and prepares reports for area of assignment for presentation to management and the Board of Supervisors. Develops and evaluates student surveys/assessments on training/education provided; Coordinates and maintains training/education materials, audio-visual equipment, laptops, tablets and supplies utilized for training and education; Maintains manual and computer based documentation on training and/or education conducted, competency checklists and assessment files. Salary: Hiring Range: $54,863 – $65,836. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.

Training Manager, Charleston County, South Carolina— Are you passionate about democracy and coaching people to their fullest potential? Join us as a Training Manager at the Board of Elections and play a pivotal role in ensuring smooth and efficient elections!  Welcome to the Board of Voter Registration and Elections, where we are not just an agency, but a dynamic force committed to excellence in democracy. As an award-winning organization, we pride ourselves on our relentless pursuit of improvement to better serve the voters in our community. A major way this is done is through the training of those who serve as poll managers. At the heart of our mission is an unyielding dedication to organizing elections with precision, fairness, and strict adherence to the law. Responsibilities include: Comprehensive training development, training coordination, community engagement, year-round training program, performance tracking, new hire training, continuous improvement, collaboration with precinct manager.  Salary: $64,209 – $84,146. 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.

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