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Election News This Week

Signature-matching: The North Carolina State Board of Elections recently approved 10 counties to participate in a mailed ballot signature-matching program that is now required under law. Durham, Halifax, Bertie, Wilkes, Montgomery, Rowan, Jones, Pamlico, Henderson, and Cherokee will use signature matching software for the primary.  The signature verification test for mailed ballots was part of the massive package of election changes the Republican-led legislature enacted last year over Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper’s veto. The law requires the State Board to seek “diversity of population size, regional location, and demographic composition,” in selecting the 10 counties. State Board staff recommended using information on the race of voters in each county to ensure demographic diversity. Some members of the SBOE pushed back on using race as a diversity standard and instead wanted age to be a standard. However, Elections Director Karen Brinson Bell said using median age doesn’t work to ensure a diverse group of counties because it doesn’t vary much. The State Board of Elections in selecting the software.  Once the pilot program is finished after the primary election in March, the state elections board must send a report to the legislature for state lawmakers to use as they consider how, or if, to expand the program. The new law says that during this initial pilot program, North Carolina officials shouldn’t reject ballots that the software flags for the signature not matching. Officials plan to use multiple software vendors during the pilot, which could give a good indication which programs work best and whether there are issues that need to be ironed out before a more permanent, statewide program begins. “This is for experimental purposes only,” the elections board wrote in a news release. “It will not affect the counting of any voter’s ballot in the primary election.”

Jail Voting: Many people in county jails remain eligible to vote. A new program in Nashville aims to guide potential incarcerated voters through the process of registering and voting. “The requirement to serve jail inmates has been around for a long time,” Davidson County Administrator of Elections Jeff Roberts said in an email.  “The goal is to create a more effective and efficient program for both the Election Commission and the Sheriff’s Office.  This new effort has no additional cost for Metro.” Voter registration, navigating the absentee ballot request process, voting rights restoration support, and civics education will be a part of the new program, according to a news release from the Davidson County Election Commission, Sheriff’s Office and Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell’s office. The process and deadlines for voting are different for individuals housed in local jails. For example, the deadline for incarcerated persons in Tennessee to request an absentee ballot is 21 days before the election. The deadline for people who aren’t incarcerated is 7 days. “After conversations with the Sheriff’s Office and other advocacy groups, we recognized a need for an on-site, dedicated election specialist to provide guidance to active inmates,” Roberts said. A veteran Election Commission employee transferred last month to the Sheriff’s Office to work with inmates on voting questions.

A Proclamation: Earlier this month at the 2024 Elections Conference in Idaho, Secretary of State Phil McGrane started the conference by announcing a proclamation from Governor Brad Little that named January 3rd the official Elections Administrator Day.  The proclamation said, “the State of Idaho recognizes the critical role that election officials play in safeguarding the integrity of our electoral system and ensuring the voice of the people is heard.”  McGrane said, “Idaho’s elections stand out because of the dedicated County Clerks and Election officials who work tirelessly to make sure every vote counts. The annual Elections Conference is a unique opportunity for our County Clerks and Election officials to gather and exchange insights and experiences and learn together in a space that is constantly evolving. We have significant elections coming up in 2024, and this year’s Elections Conference was a great opportunity to kick things off so that we’re all working together to ensure Idahoans can have confidence in how our elections are run.”

 

Personnel News: Brian W. Kruse has been reappointed as the Douglas County, Nebraska election commissioner. Nancy Landry has been sworn in as the new Louisiana secretary of state. Catherine Newsome has been chosen as Landry’s first assistant. Former Louisiana Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin has been appointed director of intergovernmental relations by Gov. Jeff Landry. John Fervier has been appointed the new chair of the Georgia State Election Board. Wilmar, Minnesota Clerk Judy Thompson has retired. Will Senning is stepping down as the director of elections in the Vermont secretary of state’s office. Leah Valenti has announced her candidacy for a full term as Charlotte County, Florida supervisor of elections. Assistant New Jersey Secretary of State and acting director of the New Jersey  Division of Elections Lauren Zyriek Enriquez is stepping down. Woodbury County, Iowa Auditor Pat Gill is seeking an eighth term in office. Omar Sabir is replacing Lisa Deeley as chair of Philadelphia City Commissioners.

 

Legislative Updates

Alabama: Republican state lawmakers say they want to keep election integrity intact by supporting a bill that criminalizes the act of giving or receiving assistance on absentee voting, including delivering the ballot. However, many grassroots organizations are concerned about how this bill would impact the work they do. This bill nearly became law during last year’s legislative session, but time ran out before it could pass. This year, this is the first thing lawmakers are expected to debate. Senate Bill One makes it a misdemeanor to get or give help with an absentee ballot. If payment is involved, the charges increase to a felony. The only exception is for family and election officials. “We’ve got to protect absentee voting in Alabama because a lot of people utilize it,” said Secretary of State Wes Allen. As a state representative, Allen sponsored a similar version of this bill in 2022. Another version was introduced in 2023. Both failed to pass.

Cochise County, Arizona: In an effort to reduce the wait times at vote centers in the county, the Cochise County Board of Supervisors voted 2-1 to approve the funding request of $50,000 to the elections department to purchase additional voting equipment. The funds will go towards the purchase of 10 new Elections Systems and Software ExpressVote machines. In a December work session, Cochise County Elections Director Tim Mattix said that some vote centers in the 2022 General Election reported wait times greater than 30 minutes. Mattix said that by law and as outlined in the Elections Procedure Manual, the officer in charge of elections must establish and approve a wait time reduction plan to ensure voters don’t have to wait in line to vote for more than 30 minutes.

Florida: Sen. Blaise Ingolia is pushing a bill that would make it more difficult to vote by mail.  Currently, people who want to vote by mail in the state of Florida simply register to vote and request a mail-in ballot. However, Senate Bill 1752, would change that system with one word: eligibility.  The bill says a qualified absent voter may vote by mail if, on election day and during early in-person voting, the absent voter expects to be: Absent from the county of his or her residence; Unable to appear personally at the early voting site because of illness or physical disability; A resident or patient of a United States Department of Veterans Affairs medical facility; or Absent from his or her legal residence because he or she is confined in jail.  It’s a move that Ramon Perez, the executive director of the nonprofit organization Digital Democracy Project, believes would limit access to voting. “Making that a consistent process, having to justify why you need an absentee ballot. I think that makes it harder for people to vote,” he said. SB 1752 would also change the number of times people must request a mail-in ballot. The rules state a request to receive a vote-by-mail ballot covers all elections from the date a request was submitted through the end of the calendar year for the next regularly scheduled general election. This bill would require voters to request a mail-in ballot for each election. “If we’re now going to make it harder to get an absentee ballot, I think that a lot of voters will not realize that and will end up losing out on their opportunity to vote,” Perez said. Senate President Kathleen Passidomo said she’s opposed to the measure. “I have a large number of elderly constituents,” Passidomo, a Naples Republican, told reporters during the first day of the Regular Session. “My parents, who unfortunately recently passed away — they voted by mail. They were dyed-in-the-wool Republicans. They were not able to get in a car and drive to the polling place.”

Illinois: Members of the House Ethics and Elections Committee discussed a proposal this week allowing counties to go primarily to a vote-by-mail system. In a hearing looking at ways to expand access to the polls, they discussed a bill sponsored by state Rep. Carol Ammons, D-Urbana. She sits on the committee. The bill would allow counties to move to the vote-by-mail system. They would choose to send every registered voter a ballot instead of making them request one or go to a polling place. Champaign County Clerk Aaron Ammons, the husband of bill-sponsor Carol Ammons, would also like to see it become the norm. “My experience as a voter and as a county clerk tells me there is no greater voter access than voting from the comforts of your home,” he said. If counties make vote by mail the norm, there would still be polling places and in-person voting. The number would be reduced, however, as fewer people are likely to physically go to the polls.

Kentucky: A bill that would eliminate Kentucky’s recently enacted “no excuse” in-person absentee voting option has been introduced in Frankfort. Senate Bill 61 is sponsored by northern Kentucky Republican John Schickel. It would end the option of all voters being allowed to go to the polls the Thursday through Saturday before a Kentucky election. The bill would keep in place the provision for “excused” absentee voting if a voter certifies they meet certain requirements.

House Bill 44, will allow Kentucky to share data with other states to identify voters who move to other states so they can be removed from Kentucky’s voter rolls. HB 44, sponsored by Rep. John Hodgson, R-Louisville, also seeks to use jury duty information to identify voters who might not be citizens of the U.S.

A perennial bill to move elections from odd-years — including the Kentucky governor’s race — to presidential election years is likely to move on to get a vote in the Senate. The proposed constitutional amendment has made it that far before, but is often held up in the House of Representatives. Senate Bill 10 passed the committee with a favorable recommendation and is likely to receive a vote in the Senate. If SB10 is successful this year and is passed by the voters on the November ballot, elections usually held in off-years — including governor, attorney general, secretary of state and commissioner of agriculture — would be moved to even-numbered, presidential years starting in 2028. In previous years, the proposed constitutional amendment has passed the Senate with the necessary three-fifths majority. But it has usually stalled out in the House, and for the past several attempts it did not even receive a committee hearing. If it were to make it past both chambers, the amendment would land on the ballot in a statewide referendum.

Maine: The Maine House voted 80-60 along party lines against an impeachment resolution targeting Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, the first secretary of state in history to block someone from running for president by invoking the U.S. Constitution’s insurrection clause. The proposal called for a panel to investigate Bellows’ actions and report back to the 151-member House for an impeachment vote. If the proposal had moved forward, then there would have been a trial in the 35-member Senate, where Democrats also have a majority. Rep. Kevin O’Connell, of Brewer, said Bellows “faithfully discharged her oath of office.” He called her “an honorable person” who should not be removed from office for “simply doing her job.” “You might disagree with her decision, and some folks do. But every government official has an obligation to follow the law and fulfill their oath to the Constitution,” he said.

Lawmakers are considering a bill that would award Maine’s four electoral college votes to the presidential candidate who wins the national popular vote. The proposal is designed to reduce the influence of a handful of key battleground states with more weight in the Electoral College, and ensure that the candidate who gets the most total votes nationwide wins the office. Joining other states in awarding Electoral College votes to the winner of the national popular vote would ensure that votes cast in Maine carry as much weight as those cast in close, swing states that command the most attention from candidates, supporters argue. “This bill will make every vote equal,” said Rep. Arthur Bell, D-Yarmouth, the measure’s sponsor. If enough states agree to do the same, the popular vote winner also would be the Electoral College winner.

Montana: The State Administration and Veterans’ Affairs Committee voted 9-1 in favor of Ballot Issue 13 that, if passed by voters in 2024, would require most Montana elections to be decided by a majority of the vote. The initiative would apply to Montana’s constitutionally defined offices, including the governorship, most executive branch positions, and state and federal legislative seats. The text of the initiative leaves some room for interpretation, directing legislators to prescribe what happens if no one candidate receives a majority of the vote. That could mean a series of run-off elections or a so-called instant run-off, a type of ranked-choice voting system similar to what voters recently adopted in Alaska. Ballot Issue 13 has already received legal approval from Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen. If supporters gather enough signatures — equivalent to 10% of the total number of votes cast for the office of governor in the last general election — the proposal will be listed on the 2024 ballot as CI-127.  Montanans for Election Reform is also sponsoring a related initiative that would create a system of open primaries in the state under which the top-four vote-getters in a given race would advance to the general election, regardless of party. That proposal received support from the interim committee late last year but failed to pass Knudsen’s legal review.

New Jersey: Governor Phil Murphy signed the “New Voter Empowerment Act” allowing any registered voter who is 17 years of age by the time of a primary election to vote in that primary if they turn 18 years old on or before the next general election. According to a press release, the signing reaffirms the Governor’s longstanding commitment to expanding democracy, building on previous voting rights expansion measures enacted during the Murphy Administration, including automatic voter registration, in-person early voting, online voter registration, and the restoration of voting rights for individuals on probation or parole, among other reforms. “To strengthen our democracy, we must ensure that all eligible voters can participate in it,” said Murphy. “Across government, we see how the decisions we make today impact future generations. I am proud to sign legislation that expands access to the ballot box while engaging and empowering a new generation of voters.” Current law permits a person who is at least 17 years of age to register to vote if the person will be at least 18 at the time of the election. However, the person is designated in the Statewide Voter Registration System as temporarily ineligible to vote until that person’s 18th birthday. The legislation signed by Governor Murphy today, which will take effect on January 1, 2026, allows that person to vote in a primary election as long as the person turns 18 years of age on or before the next general election.

New York: To mark the first full day of legislative work this session, the New York State Senate once again passed 10 voting rights and election reform bills. This year, Democratic lawmakers are hoping these bills will pass both houses. One bill would allow New York to join an interstate compact to update data on voter registration, DMV drivers licenses, deaths, and US postal Service change of address. Other bills would authorize absentee ballot drop boxes, allow counties to establish portable polling places for early voting, and make voter suppression a misdemeanor. “Expanding early voting, to making absentee ballot voting more accessible, creating the New York voting in elections database, and yes, allowing snacks and drinks for voters,” explained Senate Majority Leader, Andrea Stewart-Cousins.

South Dakota: A bill that appears to be aimed at full-time travelers who are South Dakota residents will be offered by the secretary of state this year. Senate Bill 17 says that a resident must be within the state “for at least thirty days in the three hundred and sixty-five days immediately prior to submitting the registration form” in order to register to vote. The language would better clarify a 2023 law that requires 30 days of residency before registering to vote, officials from the secretary of state office said. “The current law gives no parameters as to a time period for the 30 days. The amendment defines the period for the 30 days,” Tom Deadrick of the secretary of state’s office said in an email to KELOLAND News. The Legislature in 2023 passed Senate Bill 139 which has a requirement to live in the state for 30 days prior to registering to vote.  The state allows full-time travelers to be South Dakota residents if they spend one night in the state. Many list post office boxes at locations around the state as their place of residency as they travel. The locations serve as areas where mail can be sent and then forwarded on to the full-time traveler resident or where the traveler can pick up the mail. When asked if the proposed SB17 legislation would change voting for full-time traveling residents, Deadrick said in an email, “That is a legal question that has many different legal avenues it could go down and is not a question we can answer.”

Legal Updates

Voting Rights Act: NPR’s Hansi Lo Wang has a write-up of the three legal arguments that are being used against the Voting Rights Act. In the piece he notes that in ongoing redistricting lawsuits mainly across the South, Republican state officials have been raising novel arguments that threaten to erode a key set of protections against racial discrimination in the election process. The three arguments include a case in Arkansas where Republican state officials have argued that groups do not have a right to bring suits against the VRA, those are only for individuals. So far, a federal judge and a panel of the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals have agreed, pointing out that the text of the Voting Rights Act does not explicitly say there is a private right of action under Section 2. In Alabama, although the Supreme Court rejected Alabama’s attempt to severely limit how race can be used when redrawing voting maps, the state’s Republican officials have signaled they’re gearing up for another challenge against race-based redistricting. Louisiana and Georgia Republicans argue the end of race-based affirmative action means race-based redistricting should also end.

Arkansas: Retired U.S. Army colonel, Conrad Reynolds of Conway, and the non-profit Arkansas Voter Integrity Initiative that he leads filed a complaint asking the Arkansas Supreme Court to certify the sufficiency of the proposed ballot language for a constitutional amendment to require elections in Arkansas to be conducted with paper ballots, and for a constitutional amendment to impose certain limitations on absentee voting. The complaint is filed against Republican Secretary of State John Thurston and the state Board of Election Commissioners, which Thurston chairs. The Restore Election Integrity Arkansas ballot committee has proposed both of the constitutional amendments. Reynolds’ and the Arkansas Voter Integrity Initiative’s complaint seeks the state Supreme Court’s certification of the proposed popular names and ballot titles for the two proposed constitutional amendments. In the complaint, Reynolds and the Arkansas Voter Integrity Initiative ask for the state Supreme Court to declare unconstitutional a 2023 state law that requires the attorney general to consider certifying proposed ballot language for ballot measures, and a 2023 state law that requires petitions for proposed ballot measures to have signatures of registered voters in at least 50 counties rather than at least 15 counties. Act 376 of 2019 shifted the responsibility of certifying a proposed ballot measure’s popular name and ballot title from the attorney general to the state Board of Election Commissioners before Act 194 of 2023 shifted the responsibility back to the attorney general. The complaint claims Arkansas Code Annotated 7-9-126 (e) and 7-9-107 conflict with Article 5, Section 1 of the Arkansas Constitution. The complaint asks the high court to expedite this case on its docket, enjoin the enforcement of the two state laws, and to issue a temporary restraining order and permanent injunction.

Colorado:  An election tampering charge filed against Richard Patton, 32, of Pueblo accused of removing an official seal and pulling a USB port from a voting machine during the June 2022 primaries has been dismissed. A Pueblo District Court judge ordered Patton to undergo an outpatient mental competency exam following his arrest, and, in December 2022, the judge ruled that he was not competent to stand trial. The judge ordered Patton to participate in outpatient mental health treatment in hopes of bringing him to trial at a later date. Instead, Patton’s felony election tampering charge was dismissed Jan. 3, although court records do not specify the reason. A gag order was placed on those involved in the criminal proceedings because the case generated significant media attention in the wake of ongoing conspiracy theories about rigged elections, fueled by former President Donald Trump’s lies about the 2020 presidential election.

U.S. District Court Judge Nina Y. Wang threw out an attempt by former Mesa County clerk Tina Peters to avoid standing trial for criminal charges related to election equipment tampering. Grand jurors indicted Peters, a Republican who unsuccessfully ran for secretary of state in 2022, on multiple counts of attempting to influence a public servant, official misconduct and criminal impersonation. The charges relate to Peters’ alleged actions to grant an unauthorized person access to an upgrade of the county’s voting equipment, resulting in videos and confidential passwords later being posted online. Late last year, Peters filed suit against District Attorney Daniel P. Rubinstein in federal court, claiming his prosecution was intended to “punish her” for exercising her constitutional right to inform “her fellow citizens” of alleged problems with voting equipment in Mesa County. Wang rejected the idea that she could insert herself into Peters’ ongoing state case. “Ms. Peters insists that the Mesa County District Court is an inadequate forum to raise her federal constitutional claims, but has presented no authority that state law prohibits her from doing so,” Wang wrote.

Georgia: A trial got underway in Georgia this week with election integrity activists asking a federal judge to order the state to stop using its current election system, saying it’s vulnerable to attack and has operational issues that could cost voters their right to cast a vote and have it accurately counted. During the trial activists plan to argue that the Dominion Voting Systems touchscreen voting machines are so flawed they are unconstitutional. Election officials insist the system is secure and reliable and say it is up to the state to decide how it conducts elections. The activists say the state should switch to hand-marked paper ballots tallied by scanners and also needs much more robust post-election audits than are currently in place. U.S. District Judge Amy Totenberg, who’s overseeing the long-running case, said in an October order that she cannot order the state to use hand-marked paper ballots. But activists say prohibiting the use of the touchscreen machines would effectively force the use of hand-marked paper ballots because that’s the emergency backup provided for in state law.

Michigan: Michigan’s Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission voted to appeal a federal court ruling that invalidated a series of state legislative districts in metropolitan Detroit. The vote came less than a day before attorneys representing the commission were scheduled to argue in federal court that they are best-suited to take on the redrawing of the 13 legislative districts around Detroit, which a three-judge panel found violated the Voting Rights Act by diluting the representation of Black voters in Detroit. The plaintiffs in the lawsuit, instead, argued an outside expert should lead the additional redistricting, allowing the commission to weigh in alongside the Detroiters who initially sued the state in 2022 over the commission’s maps. The vote to appeal the ruling passed with eight commissioners in favor with one opposed and two commissioners abstaining.

Nevada: The Nevada Republican Party has dropped a lawsuit against the state to appeal a court decision that would allow the state to hold a presidential primary for Republican voters. On Jan. 5, attorneys for the Republican Party filed documents with the Nevada Supreme Court that stated they are dropping their appeal. In 2021, then-Gov. Steve Sisolak signed a law that mandates Nevada hold a presidential primary with state and county election officials organizing it. At the time, officials said the law was an effort to put Nevada closer to the front of the primary voting states nationwide and that the primary system tends to get higher rates of voter participation. That is scheduled for Feb. 6. State law does not require the Nevada Republican Party to recognize the state’s primary results when putting forth a general election candidate. Primaries have voters submit private ballots in elections run by county and state governments. Meantime, caucuses are planned, financed and run by political parties instead of state election officials. The local party members can nominate candidates to represent their political party and voting is public.  If both elections move forward and the Nevada Republican Party chooses to honor the caucus results, the presidential primary results would essentially be disregarded and not count.

New York: Five Hispanic voters in Mount Pleasant filed a lawsuit in Westchester County State Supreme Court accusing the town of maintaining an election system that dilutes the power of their votes and prevents them from electing a candidate of their choice to the town board. The case now becomes the first in what is poised to be a growing number of challenges over potential voting rights violations among voters of color in local elections across the state. It marks the inaugural lawsuit filed under the newly enacted John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act of New York, named after the late Georgia congressman and civil rights champion. The suit seeks to replace Mount Pleasant’s at-large voting system — which lets voters across the town vote for all the candidates in local elections, as there are no districts — with an alternative that would make it more likely for a Hispanic person or other candidate of the community’s choice to be elected to the town board.

North Dakota: U.S. District Court Chief Judge Peter Welte ordered a new joint North Dakota legislative district for two Native American tribes that successfully argued a map created through redistricting in 2021 violated the Voting Rights Act by diluting their voting strength. Welte’s decision to adopt and implement a new map comes after a flurry of court filings in the lawsuit since his Nov. 17 ruling that the state’s 2021 redistricting map “prevents Native American voters from having an equal opportunity to elect candidates of their choice.” The judge had given North Dakota Republican Secretary of State Michael Howe and the GOP-controlled Legislature until Dec. 22 “to adopt a plan to remedy the violation.” The deadline passed with no new map as Howe and lawmakers sought a delay of the judge’s ruling and more time to respond. Welte said the new map “requires changes to only three districts and is the least intrusive option that complies with the Voting Rights Act and the Constitution.” The Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians and the Spirit Lake Tribe brought the lawsuit in early 2022. They alleged the 2021 redistricting map “simultaneously packs Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians members into one house district, and cracks Spirit Lake Tribe members out of any majority Native house district.”

Ohio: Senior U.S. District Judge Donald Nugent ruled this week that changes to Ohio’s voting procedures via legislation, passed during a lame duck session, are “minor” and do not infringe on citizens’ constitutional rights. The Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless and other nonprofits claimed Republicans in the state legislature passed House Bill 458 under cover of darkness and with little or no public input to drastically change the way the Buckeye State runs its elections. The legislation eliminated the use of utility bills, bank statements or other documents as forms of identification for in-person voting, and also limited the number of absentee voting drop-boxes to one per county. Early, in-person voting on the Monday before Election Day was also eliminated under the bill. The nonprofits claimed these changes would disenfranchise poor, elderly and minority voters. Nugent found that, under either the Anderson-Burdick undue burden test or a rational basis form of review, the changes had little impact on voters and were constitutional. He cited the 2008 U.S. Supreme Court case Crawford v. Marion County Election Board, in which a similar ID law was upheld as constitutional, and pointed out that, “today, at least 18 states, including Ohio, generally require photo-ID for in-person voting.” The elimination of early, in-person voting on the Monday before Election Day similarly failed to tip the scales in the plaintiffs’ favor, according to Nugent. He emphasized that the nonprofits provided no evidence of any individuals who were unable to vote in the May or August 2023 elections as a result of the schedule change, and also pointed out the early voting hours from that Monday were “redistributed” to other days.

Wisconsin: Racine County Circuit Judge Eugene Gasiorkiewicz ruled Jan. 8 that state law does not allow the use of mobile absentee voting sites, siding with Republicans who had challenged the city of Racine’s use of a voting van that traveled around the city in 2022.  Republicans opposed the use of the van, the only one of its kind in Wisconsin, saying its use was against the law, increased the chances of voter fraud and was used to bolster Democratic turnout.  Racine officials, the Democratic National Committee and the Milwaukee-based voting advocacy group Black Leaders Organizing for Communities refuted those claims and defended the legality of the van, saying there was no specific prohibition against it. The van was first used in Racine’s municipal elections in 2022. It was purchased with grant money Racine received from the Center for Tech and Civic Life. The van was used only to facilitate early in-person voting during the two weeks prior to an election, Racine City Clerk Tara McMenamin said. She said the vehicle was useful because it was becoming too cumbersome for her staff to set up their equipment in remote polling sites. It traveled across the city to meet voters in their neighborhoods and collect early ballots. The Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty, on behalf of Racine County Republican Party Chairman Ken Brown, filed a complaint the day after the August 2022 primary with the Wisconsin Elections Commission, arguing that the van was against state law. They argued that it was only sent to Democratic areas in the city in an illegal move to bolster turnout.

Opinions This Week

National Opinions: Democracy, II, III | Free and fair elections | ERIC | Election security | Election lies | Artificial Intelligence | Voting Rights Act, II | Climate change’s impact on elections | Poll workers

Arizona: Infrequent voters

California: Election workers

Florida: Orange County | Vote by mail

Indiana: Election funding

Kansas: Election security, II

Maine: National Popular Vote

Michigan: Election reform | Compensation

Montana: Cascade County

Nevada: Poll workers

New York: Vote by mail

Pennsylvania: Voter education | Northampton County

West Virginia: Poll workers | Ranked choice voting

Wyoming: Voter restrictions

Upcoming Events

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

Communications Workshop, Planning for 2024: The 2024 election cycle is underway, and The Elections Group’s first workshop of the year is designed to prepare your office to communicate effectively no matter the situation. Tune in at noon EST on Tuesday, January 23, on Zoom for our top election-year communications planning tips. When Jan. 23, 12pm Eastern. Where: Online

Sedition Hunters: How January 6th Broke the Justice System: The Safeguarding Democracy Project at UCLA promotes research, collaboration, and advocacy under the leadership of UCLA Law Professor Richard L. Hasen; one of the nation’s leading election scholars. The Safeguarding Democracy Project is built upon the premise that tackling issues of the U.S. election integrity must be collaborative: across ideologies, across scholarly disciplines, and as a bridge between theory and practice. Speakers: Ryan J. Reilly, Author and Justice Reporter for NBC News: Ryan J. Reilly is a Justice reporter for NBC News. Previously, he was the senior justice reporter for HuffPost, where he covered the Justice Department and the FBI for more than a decade. He was 2017 Livingston Award finalist for his reporting on jail deaths, and has appeared on a variety of television programs, including The Situation Room, The Lead with Jake Tapper, Reliable Sources, All In with Chris Hayes, The Rachel Maddow Show, and American Voices with Alicia Mendendez. He lives in Washington, DC. When: Jan. 23, 3pm Eastern. Where: Online

2024 Elections Summit:  The EAC and the University of Maryland will host the 2024 Elections Summit on January 30, which will be held at the University’s campus and live streamed on the EAC’s YouTube Channel During the meeting, election officials and other key stakeholders will join the EAC’s Commissioners for in-depth panel discussions ahead of the 2024 elections on topics such as confidence in elections, election security, accessible voting, challenges for new election officials, and communicating about elections. When: Jan. 30, 10am-5pm Eastern. Where: Online/In-person

What Can We Do to Have a Fair and Safe Election in 2024?: The Safeguarding Democracy Project at UCLA promotes research, collaboration, and advocacy under the leadership of UCLA Law Professor Richard L. Hasen; one of the nation’s leading election scholars. The Safeguarding Democracy Project is built upon the premise that tackling issues of the U.S. election integrity must be collaborative: across ideologies, across scholarly disciplines, and as a bridge between theory and practice. Speakers: Renée DiResta, Technical Research Manager Stanford Internet Observatory; Kate Klonick, Associate Professor ·St. John’s University, School of Law; Charles H. Stewart III, Kenan Sahin Distinguished Professor of Political Science MIT, Political Science; and Kim Wyman Senior Fellow, Elections; former Washington Secretary of State Bipartisan Policy Center. When: Feb. 6, 3pm Eastern. Where: Online

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.

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.

A Real Right to Vote with Richard L. Hasen & Erwin Chemerinsky: Throughout history, too many Americans have faced needless barriers to voting. Part of the blame falls on the U.S. Constitution, which does not contain an affirmative right to vote. Richard L. Hasen, Director of UCLA Law’s Safeguarding Democracy Project and author of the new book A Real Right to Vote: How a Constitutional Amendment Can Safeguard American Democracy, draws on troubling stories of state attempts to disenfranchise military voters, women, African Americans, students, former felons, Native Americans, and others, arguing that American democracy can and should do better. Joining Hasen is Dean of the UC Berkeley School of Law and leading scholar of the U.S. Constitution, Erwin Chemerinsky. Co-presented with the Safeguarding Democracy Project at UCLA Law. Limited books will be available for purchase. When: Feb. 15, 7:30pm. Where: Los Angeles.

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

Race and Risk of Election Subversion: The Safeguarding Democracy Project at UCLA promotes research, collaboration, and advocacy under the leadership of UCLA Law Professor Richard L. Hasen; one of the nation’s leading election scholars. The Safeguarding Democracy Project is built upon the premise that tackling issues of the U.S. election integrity must be collaborative: across ideologies, across scholarly disciplines, and as a bridge between theory and practice. Speakers: Matt Barreto, Lecturer in Law UCLA School of Law; Sophia Lin Lakin, Director of the ACLU’s Voting Rights Project ACLU; and Spencer Overton, The Patricia Roberts Harris Research Professorship and Professor of Law George Washington Law. When: April 9, 3pm Eastern. Where: Online and Los Angeles

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 Absentee by Mail Supervisor, Cobb County, Georgia— The purpose of this position is to perform entry-level duties to assist in overseeing advance voting by mail day-to-day operations of receiving absentee ballot applications, issuing ballots, receiving returned ballots, and counting accepted ballots, all according to prescribed deadlines and security mandates. The position maintains adequate staffing based on changing workloads, supervises work product accuracy, responds to voter issues and complaints, updates and creates all procedures, forms, checklists and coversheets used within the absentee mail operation, and administers the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act.  Work is performed under the immediate supervision and guidance of a Registration & Elections Supervisor for the assigned area. Ability to work long hours and weekends are required during election cycles. Salary: $41,589 – $53,027 Annually. Deadline: Jan. 12. 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.

Departmental Analyst Trainee-P11 – Disclosure and Compliance Section, Michigan Dept. of State— This position serves as the Disclosure and Filings Analyst within the Disclosure, Filings and Compliance Division within the Bureau of Elections, Michigan Department of State. The Division is responsible for administering the Michigan Campaign Finance Act, Lobbyist Registration Act, Casino Registration Act and Michigan Election Law. The Analyst will support the Division’s functions through research and analysis of disclosure reports, campaign statements and ballot-access filings, with emphasis on working cooperatively to address deficiencies and correct noncompliant filings; developing and updating training materials and user manuals; and providing training to the regulated community. If this position is filled at the trainee level, the duties performed will be in a training capacity. Salary: $47,923 – $77,916. Deadline: Jan. 24. 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.

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.

Elections Technology Specialist, McLennan County, Texas— Under supervision of the Elections Administrator, the Elections Technology Specialist performs complex and technical duties related to activities in overseeing the County’s voting equipment by creating each election’s ballot using ballot origination software, programing and testing the County’s voting equipment with each elections ballot, processing and scanning returned mail-in ballots with the Ballot Board, and maintaining the County’s voting equipment after each election. Salary: $20.61 – $31.71/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.

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.

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.

Senior Director, Climate and Democracy, Alta Futures— Alta Futures seeks an outstanding Senior Director, Climate & Democracy to help establish and grow two of its three strategic grantmaking pillars. Alta Futures is a new family impact platform that provides grants, networking, and customized support to people and projects that shape more positive futures for our community, our country, and our climate. With its focus on the three pillars of community, country, and climate, Alta Futures works to ensure great ideas get transformed into collective action by: Supporting local leaders and organizations that are generating opportunities for Chicagoans to prosper. Investing in structural improvements and cultural strategies that improve the United States’ ability to govern for all. Accelerating ideas and solutions that lead to a greener planet by reducing emissions on a trajectory to meet global goals. The Senior Director, Climate & Democracy will lead all grantmaking and investment activities within the climate area and democracy area. This includes establishing a strategy built on research and advisor input as well as sourcing and recommending grantees. The Senior Director will also serve as a partner to the Executive Director and the Chair for establishing and maintaining organization-wide strategy and culture. This includes serving as an entrepreneurial partner for strategy development and new ideas being explored. Alta Futures began building its team in late 2023 and is poised to take the next step in fulfilling its impact investing ambitions in 2024. As a small team, principals and staff work closely together with the broader family office to build the overall organization, establish strategy, and manage investments. Salary Range: $225,000 – $275,000. 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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