electionline Weekly

New BPC Explainer

The Nuanced Challenges of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission

By: Theo Menon, Rachel Orey, Matthew Weil

The U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) is once again in the limelight. The EAC has faced extensive criticism since its creation in 2002: It has been accused of political bias in its reporting, hiring discrimination, technical inadequacy, inefficiency, and irrelevance. Most recently, the EAC announced the departure of its third executive director in as many years, Steven Frid. This continued pattern of high turnover has drawn the ire of observers who once again question the agency’s leadership and stability going into a contentious election season.

In The Nuanced Challenges of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, the Bipartisan Policy Center makes the case that the EAC’s shortcomings aren’t the fault of agency leadership or employees. Rather, a combination of political interference, structural limitations, and insufficient funding has hampered the EAC’s ability to function as effectively as it could. Furthermore, the EAC has made real progress in reforming its operations and programs to better serve the election community since the 2020 election.

While challenges remain, the narrative that the EAC is a wholly ineffective organization fails to account for recent progress that has occurred despite significant, externally imposed limitations. With the right reforms in place, the EAC could continue building on this progress to fully maximize its potential as the only federal agency entirely devoted to election administration.Read the full explainer here: The Nuanced Challenges of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission

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Election News This Week

Transparency: The Washoe County, Nevada  Registrar of Voters will offer a livestream video of the ballot-processing room throughout the duration of the Presidential Preference Primary, Interim Registrar Cari-Ann Burgess announced. The livestream system employs four cameras with individual timestamps, delivering a single 1080p feed. This enables citizens to view high-quality video of the ballot processing area, while still safeguarding sensitive information that may be displayed on screens or ballots. The four cameras have been strategically positioned to show all stages of ballot-processing. “Transparency of the process fosters trust and understanding of the process, so this livestream is an essential function of our election,” Burgess said. “Even though we are not mandated to offer this, we feel it is our duty as public servants to invite the public to see what is happening in our office.” The livestream launched the first day of early voting and will continue 24-7 until the Canvass of the Vote, February 16. There are two ways to view the livestream: YouTube and the Washoe County website. YouTube limits livestreams to 12 hours, so the YouTube stream will reboot every 11 hours and 55 minutes. Each session will be its own steam so viewers will need to go to the channel, not the previous video, to watch each successive session. In order to provide redundancy, particularly during those few minutes that the YouTube stream refreshes, the video will also be playing nonstop. The courtesy video feed of the elections office is a collaborative effort between Washoe County Digital Communications, Technology Services, Registrar of Voters, Security.

Podcast Announcement: What Voting Means to Me features interviews and stories about individual experiences living in a democracy. It is hosted and produced by Mara Suttmann-Lea, an assistant professor in the Department of Government and Relations at Connecticut College. The podcast centers around two questions:

1. What is your first memory of democracy?
2. What does voting mean to you? 

What Voting Means to Me was created to encourage dialogue and discussion about the values individuals see in democratic governance as a result of their own experiences with democracy and the act of voting. If you are interested in participating in What Voting Means to Me, click here for more information. The perspectives of voters and non-voters are encouraged and welcome. Episodes air every other Friday on Apple and Spotify podcasts.

Power the Polls: As part of Help America Vote Day on January 30, Power the Polls announced a new bilingual poll worker recruitment toolkit. This toolkit includes in-language graphics and social media copy for bilingual poll worker recruitment in the 11 languages most often requested by election administrators in 2022. Power the Polls will soon launch an election administrator-facing version of this toolkit, which will allow election administrators to customize the graphics for their own communities (e.g. adding an official logo). There are also plans in the works to add additional languages to this toolkit later this year. Bookmark the toolkit here: https://bit.ly/bilingual-poll-worker-toolkit. If elections officials need to get in touch with Power the Polls, the can do so here: electionofficials@powerthepolls.org

Sticker News: The Johnston County, North Carolina Board of Elections has announced the winner of the “I Voted Early” sticker contest. The student with the most votes was Carson McCauley, an eighth grader from Meadow Middle School. In addition to the words “I Voted Early,” his design includes the state flag of North Carolina combined with elements of the American flag. Carson received a $100 cash prize after showing off his unique design at the Board of Elections’ office. The Board of Elections had a fantastic response from the community with a diverse range of creative entries that truly demonstrated Johnston County’s artistic talent.

Personnel News: Canyon County, Idaho Clerk Chris Yamamoto will retire in February. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has appointed Escambia County Commissioner Robert Bender as the county’s new Supervisor of Elections. Richard Piraino has been recommended for the Geauga County, Ohio board of elections. 

In Memoriam: Dr. Deborah Turner, president of the board of League of Women Voters died on Jan. 28. She was 73. As the 20th president of the 103-year-old voting rights organization, Dr. Turner played a pivotal role in fighting for a more fair and representative union, while uplifting racial equity in the League’s mission work.  Dr. Turner first joined the League of Women Voters of Metro Des Moines in 2010 and later served as president until 2015. At the same time, she also served on the LWV of Iowa board as the state vice president from 2011 to 2015, becoming co-president in 2015. In her dual roles with state and local Leagues, Deborah has devoted her leadership to strengthening relationships between local leagues and the state Board. “Dr. Turner was the consummate leader who poured her heart and soul for the preservation of our democracy,” said Virginia Kase Solomón, CEO of the League of Women Voters. “Her leadership exemplified grace, empathy, strength, and determination, and we will forever be grateful for her passion and dedication to this organization.” Dr. Turner received her BS from Iowa State University and her MD from the University of Iowa where she completed her Residency in OB-Gyn. She completed her fellowship in Gynecologic Oncology at MD Anderson Cancer Institute in Houston Texas. She practiced gynecologic oncology for 35 years, enhancing university programs at the University of Nebraska, the University of Iowa, and the Medical College of Wisconsin teaching residents and students. She also served the private sector, bringing her specialty to Genesis Medical Center in Davenport, IA, Mercy Cancer Center in Mason City, IA, and Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines. In July 2015, she left active practice to become Vice President of International Programs Medical Programs of The Outreach Program. She participated in twelve medical missions to Tanzania since 2011 and worked with Singida’s Medical Center, Outreach’s Children’s Feeding Centers, and Rotary International. She received her JD from Drake University in 2007. She has served as Associate Medical Director of Planned Parenthood of North Central States since 2016. Turner was inducted into the Iowa Women’s Hall of Fame in 2013 and received the Gertrude Rush Award from the National Bar Association in 2015. She was awarded the Louise Noun Visionary Women of the Year award from the Young Women’s Resource Center Des Moines in 2018. Her most treasured award is a certificate from the Schwartz Center for Compassionate Care. In 2022, Fortune Magazine named her a “Marquis Who’s Who” top professional for her work with LWV. Dr. Turner lived in Nebraska and had two grown children – a son and a niece.

 

Legislative Updates

Federal Legislation: U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), a member of the Senate Rules Committee and California’s former Secretary of State, and Congresswoman Norma Torres (D-Calif.-35) introduced bicameral legislation to improve voter registration efforts at naturalization ceremonies. The Including New Voters In The Electorate (INVITE) Act would designate United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) field offices as voter registration agencies under the National Voter Registration Act, requiring USCIS staff to help new U.S. citizens complete their voter registration forms and return them to the appropriate state agency following their naturalization. While USCIS policy states that the agency should provide new U.S. citizens with voter registration forms at their USCIS naturalization ceremonies, the policy does not currently require the agency to assist new U.S. citizens in properly filling out or returning their forms, leaving many newly eligible United States citizens unregistered to vote. New citizens naturalized at judicial ceremonies or without a formal ceremony are at an even greater disadvantage, having no guarantee of even receiving voter registration information. Just 61 percent of all naturalized U.S. citizens were registered to vote during the November 2022 election, compared to 70 percent of citizens born in the United States. The INVITE Act would maintain USCIS’s flexibility to work with state voter registration agencies and nonpartisan voter registration organizations, and it would allow the agency to develop and implement plans with each state to carry out this important work.

Arizona: Prior to 2016, Arizonans could legally collect the early voting ballots of friends, family and community members to return them to be counted, and Democrats want to bring that practice back. Rep. Stephanie Stahl-Hamilton, D-Tucson, told the Arizona Mirror that even though her House Bill 2335 is unlikely to become law, she still believes that introducing it was worthwhile. A similar bill was introduced last year by then-Rep. Athena Salman but was never considered. “It’s important not to be silent,” Stahl Hamilton said. “This is one step in pushing for a strengthened  democracy.” If passed, the bill would get rid of ballot collection restrictions that say voted early ballots in Arizona can only be returned by the voter’s family member, a member of their household or their caregiver.

Colorado: Secretary of State Jena Griswold has forwarded legislation to the House of Representatives seeking to regulate the use of artificial intelligence in the state’s electoral processes. Griswold emphasized the threat that AI could pose to American elections, specifically highlighting issues surrounding the creation of deepfakes. These deepfakes, manipulated media content typically created using AI, have the potential to distort the actions and words of candidates and officeholders, leading to the proliferation of misinformation. The proposed legislation, titled “Candidate Election Deepfake Disclosures,” aims to counteract this threat by introducing measures that require clear disclaimers on political communications that have either been generated or substantially altered by AI.

Georgia: The Senate is backing a plan to give the state’s appointed election board the power to investigate Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger’s handling of elections, despite the measure’s sponsor saying that the bill is in “murky water” when it comes to its constitutionality. The Senate voted 30-19 along party lines for Senate Bill 358, sending it to the House for more debate. Raffensperger, also a Republican, says it is unconstitutional for the Senate to give the State Election Board the power to oversee an elected official. “There is no precedent for an unelected board of political appointees to have oversight authority over members of the executive branch,” Raffensperger’s general counsel, Charlene McGowan, wrote Tuesday. But Senate Ethics Committee Chairman Sen. Max Burns disagreed, saying that the measure only alters legal powers that the General Assembly has given to Raffensperger and the election board, and not Raffensperger’s constitutional authority. “The majority of powers of the secretary of state are vested through statute and not through constitutional law,” said Burns, a Sylvania Republican.

The Senate Ethics Committee moved the state closer to eliminating the use of QR codes for counting votes on paper ballots, a practice that has been criticized by ballot security advocates. Chairman Max Burns said that his Senate Bill 189 intends to restore greater confidence in the accuracy of votes cast in elections statewide. The bill calls for replacing the QR code that tabulates votes recorded on paper ballots with a new method of either readable text or a bubble style mark similar to what is currently used for absentee and provisional ballots.  “It’s a voter confidence bill,” Burns said. “If we can achieve the goal of having this legislation adopted, I think it will go a long way to ensuring that all of our voters, from all political perspectives, will have confidence in the election.” Burns said after speaking with state election officials that he’s confident that switching away from the QR code does not require an overhaul of the state’s voting system. In 2019, the state purchased the Dominion Voting Systems electronic machines for $107 million. The bill now moves to the Senate Rules Committee, which sets the agenda on which legislation is brought to the floor of the chamber. Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and House Speaker Jon Burns, both Republicans, have listed the elimination of the QR code on ballots as a priority for the 2024 legislative session.

Voters could see a watermark on their ballot beginning in November, a move Republican supporters said would assure citizens that their ballots are authentic. The House voted 167-1 for House Bill 976, sending it to the Senate for more debate. Georgia ballots are already printed on special security paper, under a law passed in 2021 after Georgia’s disputed 2020 presidential election. But a laser wand is required to detect the paper. And some Trump supporters continue to pursue claims that ballots in 2020 were forged, especially in Fulton County, despite investigators repeatedly failing to find any. Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger supports the measure, with his chief operating officer, Gabe Sterling, telling a House committee earlier this month that a machine to stamp watermarks on the ballot would cost the state about $100,000, and not increase the current cost to counties of 13 cents per ballot.

Evanston, Illinois: Ald. Devon Reid (8th) introduced an ordinance at the Rules Committee meeting that would allow documented residents without U.S. citizenship to vote in local elections. He said the change would increase voter turnout by allowing residents who are civically active to more fully participate in their community.  “I believe it has been the march of our nation to allow more and more folks the right to vote in our elections,” Reid told The Daily. “I think that folks who are members of our community, who are documented legal residents but not quite citizens yet, who are paying taxes, their kids are going to our schools, should have the right to participate in our local democracy.”  Currently, non-citizens cannot vote in federal or state elections. State Sen. Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago) introduced a bill in 2021 that would allow non-citizens to vote in school board elections. The bill has not been passed. Reid motioned for city staff and an outside law firm to produce a memo on non-citizen voting. They have plans to present that memo at the next Rules Committee meeting on Feb. 5. The motion passed 6-2.

Indiana: Republican lawmakers in Indiana want first-time voters to prove they live in the state and additional verification of all voters’ addresses, prompting accusations from voting advocates that the proposal approved by the House could make it even tougher for some people to vote. Indiana voters are already required to show photo ID when casting a ballot, and a law passed last year that tightened mail-in voting requirements in the state. The bill was passed on party lines this week in the Indiana state House chamber. It’s not clear when the Senate (also held by Republicans) could take it up. Under the bill, residents who are first-time voters in Indiana would have to provide proof of residency when registering in person, unless they submit an Indiana driver’s license or social security number that matches an Indiana record.

Legislation headed to the full Senate aims to protect poll workers while they’re doing their jobs by making a slight expansion to existing law. Current law makes it a Level 6 felony to obstruct, interfere with or injure an election officer while they’re on the job. But that law doesn’t necessarily cover everyone who’s working or volunteering at the polling place. SB 170, unanimously approved by a Senate committee, makes sure all those people are included. Indiana Clerks Association President Nicole Browne said that protection is necessary. “Current and experienced poll workers are experiencing concerns for their personal safety and well-being at a time when we are preparing for what is likely to be history’s biggest election to date,” Browne said.

Kansas: Representatives from the Kansas County Clerks and Election Officials Association told legislators last week the membership opposed a Republican-sponsored bill that would prohibit counties from continuing the practice of mailing unsolicited advance ballot applications to registered voters. Harvey County Clerk Rick Piepho said the state shouldn’t interfere with decisions by counties to distribute advance ballot applications. Contents of Senate Bill 366, introduced by Sen. Mike Thompson, R-Shawnee, would mandate individuals request applications for advance ballots. “We believe that individual election offices should continue to have the option, based on the needs of their jurisdiction, to send unsolicited mailings to voters in their jurisdiction that include an advance ballot application,” Piepho said. Piepho told the Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee that the association of county election officials specifically objected to a provision in Thompson’s bill that would forbid the pre-filling of any portion of an advance ballot application. Counties fill name, address and birthdate sections of applications to make certain those parts were legible, given the difficulty of reading handwriting.

Voters would have less time to vote early in person under a bill being considered by state lawmakers. Under current law, early voting is held until noon the Monday before an election. But a bill being discussed by the House Elections Committee would end early voting by 7 p.m. the Sunday before Election Day. Clay Barker, general counsel at the Kansas Secretary of State’s Office, said at a hearing on Wednesday that some county election officials – especially in smaller counties – struggle to staff early voting the day before Election Day. “This can create a problem in counties where people are trying to vote at the same time the county election staff is trying to prepare for Election Day on Tuesday,” he said. But critics say the change could confuse or disenfranchise voters, especially if implemented during an election year. 

Kentucky: Kentuckians could no longer use university-issued identification cards as their primary voter ID under a bill that cleared the Republican-controlled Senate Tuesday along party lines. Republican Secretary of State Michael Adams decried the legislation, Senate Bill 80, in an interview with the Kentucky Lantern ahead of the Senate vote. Looking to the upcoming presidential election, Adams said it is important to “have a law that actually is enforceable” and not struck down in court. He said photo ID laws in other states have been upheld if they permit university-issued IDs for proving a voter’s identity. If passed, the bill would prohibit identification cards issued by universities and colleges to students and employees from being accepted as primary proof of identification at the polls.

 

New Mexico: A bill to ban guns from voting sites has cleared the state Senate by a 26-16 vote. SB 5 would make it a crime to possess a gun within 100 feet of a polling place or 50 feet of a drop box. As a petty misdemeanor, the maximum sentence would be six months in jail, a $500 fine, or both. Law enforcement would be exempt. The bill now heads to the House.

 

 

South Dakota: A bill that would allow Native Americans in South Dakota to register to vote using their tribal identification cards passed the Senate State Affairs Committee unanimously on Wednesday in Pierre. Tribal citizens can currently use their tribal ID card as proof of identification when they show up to cast a ballot. But current law does not allow them to register to vote with such identification. When registering, potential voters must provide their driver license number, state-issued non-driver ID number or the last four digits of their Social Security number to register. The bill would allow the use of tribal IDs by members of federally recognized tribes that enter into an agreement with the secretary of state, who is the top election official in South Dakota. The secretary of state supports the bill, as do representatives from the Yankton and Rosebud Sioux tribes. Rosebud tribal member Sen. Shawn Bordeaux, D-Mission, introduced the bill. Since the bill was unanimously approved by the committee, it’ll be placed on the Senate consent calendar, where it won’t be subjected to debate before a vote unless it’s moved to the regular calendar.

West Virginia: Five bills on third reading passed in the House of Delegates this week, including two that fostered some debate over election laws, voting laws and candidate filing periods. Criminal actions regarding registering to vote are key to House Bill 4017, modifying certain election laws, early voting laws, and absentee voting laws. The section under debate notes that finding any person who intentionally coerces or offers payment in exchange for a person to register to vote is guilty of a misdemeanor and could be fined and jailed. House Minority Leader Sean Hornbuckle, D-Cabell, asked that with no specific definition of the terms coerced or payment, could a college campus voter registration table giving away bottled water and cookies, or the Secretary of State’s high school teen voter registration campaign be seen as criminal acts?  “This piece of legislation in front of us could potentially not only harm those high school students and the aforementioned college students, this could criminalize our Secretary of State,” Hornbuckle said. “I would urge us, with the language, to slow down and we need to rethink what we’re doing here because it can be problematic.”  There was no other debate on the floor. House Bill 4017 passed the House by a 90-7 vote. It will become effective Jan. 1, 2025 if it passes the Senate.

Legal Updates

Arizona: Arizona Republicans filed a lawsuit asking a judge to throw out numerous election rules made by Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, including one that forces supervisors to certify their election results without delay or changes and another that could potentially lead to a county’s election results not being counted if county officials don’t finalize them on time. The rules are included in the Elections Procedures Manual approved in December by Fontes, the governor and the attorney general — all Democrats. It says county supervisors have no authority to change vote totals, reject the election results, or delay certifying the results without statutory authority or a court order. And it says if a county doesn’t provide the secretary of state its certified results, known as a canvass, by the time the secretary must certify statewide results under state law, the secretary “must proceed with the state canvass without including the votes of the missing county.” State Senate President Warren Petersen and state House Speaker Ben Toma, both Republicans, filed the lawsuit in Maricopa County Superior Court on Wednesday alleging that state law doesn’t give the secretary of state the authority to make rules about how election results are finalized, and even if Fontes did have this right, these rules are not in alignment with state law.

Arkansas: The full 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has denied a request to revisit a ruling that could undermine a key tool for enforcing the Voting Rights Act’s protections against racial discrimination in the election process. It’s the latest move in an Arkansas state legislative redistricting case, filed by civil rights groups representing Black voters in the southern state, that could turn into the next U.S. Supreme Court battle that limits the scope of the landmark civil rights law. The Court of Appeals released its decision after attorneys led by the American Civil Liberties Union appealed the ruling by a three-judge panel last year. That panel found that federal law does not allow private groups and individuals — who have for decades brought the majority of lawsuits under Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act — to sue because that law does not explicitly name them. Only the head of the Justice Department, the panel found, can bring these kinds of lawsuits. In the 8th Circuit’s majority opinion, U.S. Circuit Judge David Stras, an appointee of former President Donald Trump who also wrote the panel’s majority opinion, said that the panel’s opinion “mostly speaks for itself.” Three judges, however, said they would grant the request for a rehearing. “The panel’s error is evident, but the court regrettably misses an opportunity to reaffirm its role as a dispassionate arbiter of issues that are properly presented by the parties,” Colloton wrote in a dissenting opinion that was joined by Kelly. According to a statement released by the ACLU, the civil rights groups that brought this Arkansas lawsuit are “exploring next legal steps,” which may include a Supreme Court appeal.

Colorado: Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold requested a larger allotted amount of time for oral arguments in former President Trump’s Supreme Court ballot eligibility case in a filing. In the filing, Griswold asks for “enlarged” oral argument time on Feb. 8  so that she can get 15 minutes to “convey Colorado’s interests and provide information about Colorado’s election laws.” “Given the implications this case has on Colorado’s presidential election process, as well as the constitutional protections Colorado’s citizens enjoy, the Secretary provides an important perspective on Colorado’s election laws,” the filing reads. Additionally, 11 secretaries of state filed a brief in the case warning of a “parade of horribles” if they have the power to disqualify in this circumstance, fears of partisan abuse and “tit-for-tat” disqualifications. The brief is asking SCOTUS for direction and a unified ruling for all states. They also argue Secretaries of State do not, and should not, have the power to disqualify federal candidates under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment. According to Stateline, the secretary’s brief is just one of multiple amicus briefs filed in the case. 

Former president Donald Trump’s campaign team asked the Colorado Court of Appeals to overturn a lower court’s order and dismiss a defamation lawsuit filed by a former employee of Dominion Voting who found himself publicly — and wrongly — accused of rigging the 2020 election. “The plaintiff in this case has failed to meet the burden of actual malice by clear and convincing evidence,” argued Andrew Nickel, on behalf of Donald J. Trump for President Inc. “The district court erred in applying a negligence standard.” In his 2020 lawsuit, Eric Coomer, a director of product strategy and security at Dominion Voting Systems in Denver  identified more than a dozen individuals and companies that collectively made him the villain in the narrative of unbased claims of election fraud. Coomer has since filed additional lawsuits against Denver-based conservative radio host Randy Corporon and My Pillow CEO Mike Lindell.

Florida: Lawyers for the State of Florida asked the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals to reverse a July 2023 court decision by U.S. District Court Judge Mark Walker enjoining the enforcement of two amendments to Florida’s statute regulating third-party voter registration organizations. Walker found the provisions were discriminatory based on alienage, but the state, led by Republican secretary of state Cord Byrd, says the restrictions further the state’s goal of election integrity and are protected by a “political function exception.” During oral arguments, Florida attorneys argued that the exclusion was meant to ensure voter registration applications can be delivered in a timely manner. Putting the applications in the hands of those with illegal or temporary status decreases the odds of that happening, attorney Mohammad Jazil, said because they may leave the county suddenly, at any time. The three-judge circuit panel pondered how to address the constitutionality of the statue, which doesn’t differentiate between noncitizens who are legally residing in the U.S. and those who are illegal residents. Jazil argued that the Equal Protection clause doesn’t require a distinction between “citizens and aliens,” and that the inequities of singling out legal resident aliens “simply aren’t applicable when registering voters just as they aren’t applicable when teachers and cops are concerned.” U.S. Circuit Judge Britt Grant, a Donald Trump appointee, appeared to be persuaded by this argument. He asked the plaintiff groups why their work shouldn’t fall under the political function exception if it’s as crucial to the democratic process as they claim. Representing the Florida State Conference of Branches and Youth Units of the NAACP, attorney Abha Khanna argued that such an exception applies only to those in charge of policymaking decisions or who have “routine exercise of authority.” Individuals working for a voter registration organization, Khanna said, merely “deliver a form from one place to another — and that’s it.”

Stevie Taylor Elizabeth Baker, 33, of Wildwood has been sentenced in a voter fraud case following a complaint by the Sumter County supervisor of elections. Baker pleaded no contest this past week in Sumter County Court to a charge of voter fraud. She has been placed on probation for one year and ordered to perform 100 hours of community service. Baker was arrested Aug. 31 following a complaint filed by Sumter County Supervisor of Elections William Keen. Baker had filled out a voter registration application on Aug. 16. She is a convicted felon with a history of arrests dating back to 2010. 

Indiana: The plaintiffs in a redistricting case against the Anderson City Council have filed a motion in federal court for summary judgment – a decision based on evidence and statements without a full trial. Common Cause Indiana, the League of Women Voters of Indiana and the Madison County NAACP filed the motion. The lawsuit, which was filed in June, said the Anderson City Council violated state and federal law and went against the “one person, one vote” idea of districting by voting not to redraw districts based on the 2020 Census. The groups have said the statistical deviation between the smallest and largest current districts in the Anderson Council is 45 percent, with other court cases previously ruling 10 percent violates the “one person, one vote” idea. The plaintiffs filed the lawsuit and a motion for a preliminary injunction ahead of the November 2023 municipal elections – hoping to declare the current districts unconstitutional.

Mississippi: The Republican National Committee and Mississippi Republican Party sued state officials in federal court to prevent election workers from counting some mail-in absentee ballots during the state’s upcoming presidential and congressional election. The national and state GOP plaintiffs argue that a 2020 state law allowing local election workers to count mail-in absentee ballots for up to five days after the election date violates federal law because only Congress sets the timeframe for when votes can be processed. The Mississippi law currently permits election workers to count mail-in votes if the ballots were postmarked by the election date. In 2020, the Republican supermajority state House passed the bill in question by a vote of 97-14, and the Republican supermajority Senate passed the bill by a vote of 31-14. It was then signed into law by Republican Gov. Tate Reeves. The plaintiffs, represented by former state GOP director Spencer Ritchie, argue that the five-day window should be suspended for all federal elections and only count mail-in absentee votes that arrive by Election Day.

Ohio: Attorney General Dave Yost has once again rejected petition language submitted for a proposed constitutional amendment on voting rights. Yost found the amendment’s title — “Ohio Voters Bill of Rights” — was “highly misleading and misrepresentative” of the measure’s contents, even as he acknowledged that his office had previously certified identical language. It certified a Nursing Facility Patients’ Bill of Rights in 2021 and another Ohio Voters Bill of Rights in 2014. The Ohio Voters Bill of Rights calls for enshrining the right for all Ohioans to vote safely and securely in the state constitution. The proposed amendment includes automatic voter registration, same-day voter registration and expanded early voting options and locations. The push for the amendment follows Ohio’s enactment last year of sweeping new election restrictions, including a strict photo ID requirement and shortened windows after Election Day for returning and curing ballots. “In the past, this Office has not always rigorously evaluated whether the title fairly or truthfully summarized a given proposed amendment,” Yost wrote the coalition’s attorney. “But recent authority from the Ohio Supreme Court has confirmed that the title for a ballot initiative is material to voters.” Members of the voting rights coalition — which includes the NAACP’s Ohio chapter, the Ohio Unity Coalition, the A. Philip Randolph Institute and the Ohio Organizing Collaborative — said in a statement that they were dismayed by Yost’s decision. They said he had rejected their revised language “despite our dutiful compliance with his previous objections.”

Pennsylvania: A group of conservative state lawmakers filed a federal lawsuit challenging three voting-related executive branch actions designed to boost voter registration, including a 2021 executive order by President Joe Biden. The lawsuit is expected to be one of many to litigate voting and election rules in a battleground state that is critical to 2024’s presidential contest. In the 2020 election, Trump’s campaign, state officials, the Democratic Party and others fought over the rules for mail-in voting, and Trump later baselessly smeared the election as rife with fraud and tried unsuccessfully to overturn it. The lawsuit, filed by 24 Republican state lawmakers, challenges the legality of a 2021 executive order by Biden that orders federal agencies to consider ways to expand access to registering to vote and information about voting. It also challenges two state-level actions. One is last fall’s introduction of automatic voter registration in Pennsylvania by Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro. The other is a 2018 state directive under then-Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf. That directive said that counties cannot reject a voter registration application solely on the basis of finding that the applicant submitted a driver’s license number or Social Security number digits that don’t match what is in a government agency database.

Wisconsin: Dane County Judge Ryan Nilsestuen ordered the state elections commission to implement his ruling allowing election clerks to accept absentee ballots that have partial witness addresses, a decision that is expected to expand the number of ballots that will be counted in the battleground state. Since 2020, Republicans have been fighting in court to tighten the rules to limit how many absentee ballots can be accepted. State law requires absentee ballots to be submitted with a witness’ signature and address on the outside envelope that contains the ballot. Three separate lawsuits were filed related to those rules. Nilsestuen earlier this month ruled, in two cases brought by liberals, that a ballot can still be accepted even if a witness address omits municipalities and ZIP codes, or simply say “same” or “ditto” if the witness lives with the voter. The Republican Legislature fought to have the case dismissed. Nilsestuen this week ordered the elections commission to approve guidance no later than Feb. 9 that would direct clerks on what ballots can be accepted. Nilsestuen stressed that he wanted to move quickly given the upcoming Feb. 20 primary for local elections. Wisconsin’s presidential primary and spring general election is April 2. The Republican-dominated Legislature’s attorney, Kevin LeRoy, said he planned to ask for the ruling to be put on hold pending an appeal. The judge scheduled a Friday hearing on that. The case is expected to go to the Wisconsin Supreme Court.

Opinions This Week

National Opinions: Conspiracy theories |Polling places

California: Special elections 

Georgia: Ranked choice voting 

Massachusetts: Ex-felon voting rights 

Michigan: Voter confidence 

Mississippi: Ex-felon voting rights

Nevada: Voter ID 

New York: Accessibility

Ohio: Voter bill of rights 

Pennsylvania: U.S. Postal Service | Voting rights 

Texas: Voter laws 

Virginia: Timelines

Washington: Felon voting legislation

Wyoming: Secretary of state

Upcoming Events

Down the Rabbit Hole: How Social Media is Designed to Radicalize its Users: Social media platforms are designed to maximize users’ attention. In order to do so, they employ algorithms that send users down a rabbit hole that promotes the most inflammatory content, including mis/disinformation, hate speech, and extremist content. Online, people often find themselves pulled farther from the political center, and find it increasingly difficult to view less radical content. The result is a polarized electorate and an information environment poisoned with false information. Authoritarian regimes and domestic bad actors have seized upon this vulnerability, exploiting it to promote their view of the world or divide Americans. This phenomenon is not benign and has already changed the way we observe conflict between Israel and Hamas, and other sociopolitical contentions around the world. On February 2nd, join us for an event hosted by Issue One’s Council for Responsible Social Media to hear experts in national security, technology, and democracy discuss the effect of social media on domestic and foreign extremism, how the algorithms are designed to radicalize users, and what solutions are necessary to protect our democracy from extremism. When: Feb. 2, 1pm Eastern. Where: Online

Beyond the Ballot: How Election Officials Are Facing 2024: Nationwide, election officials are working diligently to prepare for record levels of voter participation and ensure the 2024 election is conducted with fairness and integrity. How are election officials – from secretaries of state to election directors and local officials – preparing to face this cycle? What lessons from past cycles are changing how we conduct elections? And how can election officials build greater community trust and promote a fair, transparent election process? At the start of this critical year, join the Election Center to hear from a diverse roster of election officials on how they are preparing to face the 2024 elections and ensure a fair and accurate count. Election Center staff will present our newly detailed Standards of Conduct and outline how these long standing principles can be used today to build public trust in elections. Panelists will discuss how their past experiences, including harassment, threats, disinformation, and more, inform their approach to 2024. When: Feb. 6, 8am-11am Eastern. Where: Washington, DC.

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

Assessing the Impact of Generative AI and Other Online Threats in a Historic Election Year: 2024 will be a historic year for elections. Democracies comprising 41% of the world’s population and 42% of its GDP will cast their votes around the globe. Yet recent shifts in the information space threaten to turbocharge the spread of false content at the same time major social media platforms are scaling back investments in content moderation. The widespread proliferation of generative AI systems has drastically reduced barriers to creating and disseminating wholly fabricated content or coordinating cyberattacks against political campaigns and electoral infrastructure. Many are concerned that a wave of AI-generated content could derail democratic processes globally. However, it remains to be seen whether these fears will be borne out in practice or how this technology will impact the information space over the coming year. On February 7, the Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technology Initiative at Brookings will host an expert panel moderated by Valerie Wirtschafter to assess the effects of generative AI and other novel online threats to global elections in 2024, disentangle the facts from the hype, and discuss recommendations for tech companies and policymakers to address these challenges. When: Feb. 7, 2:30pm 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 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.

Misinformation and Disinformation: Is Democracy in Crisis, and Is It at Risk of Failing?: According to a 2023 poll, only one in 10 Americans have confidence and give high ratings to the way that democracy is conducted in the United States. Nearly 50 percent of those surveyed believe our country’s democracy is flawed. People are concerned about the state of elections, the performance of Congress, inflation, crime, and the southern border. Fear about these issues is exacerbated by rampant misinformation and disinformation. Join us for an in-person and virtual panel that will provide insights and solutions to these threats to democracy. Panelists will also explain the best way to fight misinformation and disinformation before elections this year. When: Feb. 22, 12pm Eastern. Where: Online and in-person in Washington, DC. 

A Real Right to Vote: A Conversation with Rick Hasen: For many Americans, the freedom to vote is unfairly conditioned on where they live, the color of their skin, or how much money they have. Several amendments to the U.S. Constitution have been passed over the decades extending this fundamental freedom to voters of color, women and citizens who are 18 years of age. However, the lack of an overarching amendment guaranteeing the right to vote leaves our democracy vulnerable because the freedom to vote is treated differently depending on where voters live and how courts handle disputes over their rights.  In his new book, “A Real Right to Vote,” Law Professor Rick Hasen explains why a constitutional amendment is necessary, and why now is the time to begin a campaign in support of such an amendment. As Professor Hasen explains, enshrining voting rights in the Constitution will benefit all Americans, no matter which side of the political aisle they sit on.   In discussion with Campaign Legal Center President Trevor Potter, Professor Hasen will describe his vision for the freedoms an amendment on voting rights would protect, its potential impact on our democracy, and why he believes it’s possible to pass such an amendment, despite a challenging political climate. When: Feb. 29, 3pm Eastern. Where: Online

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

ESRA 2024 Conference: The 8th Annual Summer Conference on Election Science, Reform, and Administration (ESRA) will be held in person from May 16-17, 2024 at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, California. Call for Proposals The 2024 conference Call for Proposals is now open through February 16! Learn more about this year’s conference and submit your proposal here. Registration: Registration to attend the 2024 conference has not yet opened. To hear the news first when it does, please sign up to join our mailing list. When: May 16-17. Where: 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.

Administrative Specialist II, King County, Washington– The Department of Elections – is searching for energetic and resourceful professionals who like to “get stuff done”. The Administrative Specialist II positions in the Voter Services Department combine an exciting, fast-paced environment with the opportunity to cultivate talents and apply a variety of skills.  The ideal candidate will have a desire to help ensure the democratic process through public service.  They will thrive in an innovative environment and will not hesitate to roll up both sleeves, work hard, have fun, and get the job done.  This position will also provide backup support translating and/or proofing election-related documents and web materials from English to Vietnamese. Salary: $25.60 – $32.58 Hourly. Deadline: Feb. 8. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here. 

Advocacy Campaign Strategist, Elections and Government Program, The Brennan Center– The Elections and Government Program is looking to hire an experienced campaign strategist. The Advocacy Campaign Strategist position reports to the DC-based Deputy Director of the Elections and Government Program. Responsibilities: Contribute to planning and execution of advocacy campaigns to achieve Elections and Government Program goals, including: Provide project management, organization, logistical solutions, and administrative support, as needed. Identify tools and methods to increase effectiveness and efficiency of team’s work. Coordinate communications between program staff and internal/external stakeholders. Engage in field advocacy, including: Participate in coalition meetings, convenings, briefings. Develop and maintain productive relationships with election officials, grassroots allies, civic partners, government staff, elected officials, and other outside stakeholders. Identify and create opportunities to advance program goals in the field, as well as to improve the program’s advocacy with learning and perspectives from the field. Conceive and execute advocacy products, such as blog posts, digital media products, public comments, FAQs, and other assets, in collaboration with communications colleagues where appropriate, with focus on broadening and increasing partner engagement with program’s work. Contribute research and writing for policy and empirical research reports that will form the basis of advocacy campaigns. Contribute to program’s media and public education work, including strategy, talking points, and speaking engagements. Help to train new program support staff, including program associates, and serve as their first point of advice on routine matters. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here. 

Application Developer, King County, Washington– This is an amazing opportunity to be engaged in the election process! King County Department of Elections is searching for an energetic and resourceful professional who likes to “get stuff done.” The Applications Developer – Journey position 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. The Elections IT team is looking for a Journey Applications Developer to aid us in the migration of our small Windows applications to WebApps and help make a difference. This role involves maintaining and developing software solutions in the Microsoft ecosystem. Using the latest versions of .Net, you will develop solutions supporting Election’s business functions across the agency.  The ideal candidate will have C# skills and be versed in Visual Studio development tools. Salary: $93,665.94 – $118,726.82 Annually. Deadline: Feb. 12. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here. 

Assistant Director, Utah County, Utah– Under general guidance and supervision of the Elections Director, assists with administering elections functions within the Office of the County Clerk, including voter registration and service, electronic voting system, candidate services, and the full elections process for Utah County. Incumbents serving in this classification represent the Elections Director in his/her absence and must have considerable knowledge of the laws, regulations, ordinances, policies, and procedures related to administering elections. Salary Range: $75,379- $86,652 Annually. Deadline: Feb. 6. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.

Counsel, Elections and Government Program, The Brennan Center– The fight for a more secure, responsive, and equitable democracy has never been more urgent. The Brennan Center seeks a talented early career attorney to join its team in the Elections and Government Program, working on a range of issues related to defending the security of our elections, breaking down barriers to political participation, restraining campaign finance abuses, countering disinformation, and bolstering the integrity and responsiveness of government. The Brennan Center’s methods include legislative and policy advocacy, legal and empirical research and writing, litigation, media communications, and public education. This is an in-person position based in New York City or Washington, D.C. It will require occasional travel. Responsibilities Include: Assisting with policy advocacy, sometimes through work in coalitions, to change policies and laws at the local, state, and federal levels. Participating in litigation, including research, brief writing, and strategy development, with team members, allied organizations, and/or pro bono law firm counsel. Authoring and otherwise supporting the preparation of written work (including articles, opinion pieces, speeches, reports, policy proposals, and organizational materials), with opportunities for named authorship. Providing research support for reports and policy proposals, including research (legal, social science, and news-based), fact checking, legal cite checking, and proofreading. Representing the Brennan Center in meetings and other interactions with external stakeholders, including government officials, allies, donors, and journalists. Helping to supervise and mentor program associates and legal and undergraduate interns. Taking on special projects and other duties as assigned. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here. 

Counsel, Elections and Government Program (Research and Policy), The Brennan Center– The fight for a more secure, responsive, and equitable democracy has never been more urgent. The Brennan Center seeks a talented attorney to join its team in the Elections and Government Program, working primarily on empirical research and policy advocacy around campaign finance and related money in politics issues (for examples of the type of work this position would do, please see here, here, and here), with opportunities to work on a range of other matters that are the focus of the program’s work. The Brennan Center’s methods include legislative and policy advocacy, legal and empirical research and writing, litigation, media communications, and public education. This is an in-person position based in New York City or Washington, D.C. It will require occasional travel. This position will report to the directors of the Elections and Government program, and work under the supervision/in close collaboration with a senior attorney who leads campaign finance research initiatives. Responsibilities Include: Designing and executing empirical research projects involving campaign finance and similar data, in collaboration with social scientists and other researchers. Advocacy, sometimes through work in coalitions, to change policies and laws at the local, state, and federal levels. Authoring and otherwise supporting the preparation of written work (including articles, opinion pieces, speeches, reports, policy proposals, and organizational materials), with opportunities for named authorship. Public speaking and other representation of the Brennan Center in meetings and other interactions with external stakeholders, including government officials, allies, donors, and the media. Legal strategy, research, and writing. Helping to supervise and mentor junior lawyers, program associates, and legal and undergraduate interns. Taking on special projects and other duties as assigned. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here. 

Deputy Director, Swain County, North Carolina– The Swain County Board of Elections is now hiring for its Deputy Director of Elections position. An employee in this position performs clerical functions, voter registration procedures, and other election-related tasks in the daily operations of the Swain County Board of Elections, as may be assigned by the Director or Chair/members of the Board of Elections. This position is open until filled. Desirable Experience and Training: 1. Graduation from high school/GED or higher. 2. Considerable experience in one of the following fields: elections, public administration, clerical work involving public contact, or another field related to this position. OR 1. An equivalent combination of education and experience. Located in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains, Swain County is an excellent place to live and work and is a popular destination for tourists across the Southeast. It contains nearly half of America’s most-visited national park and is home to the Nantahala Outdoor Center, Fontana Lake, and the vibrant communities of Bryson City and Cherokee. Apply to join us today! Salary: $38,850 – $51,445 per year. 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.

Director of Campaign Finance and Elections, Vermont Secretary of State’s Office– The Vermont Secretary of State’s Office seeks a professional and dynamic Director to lead our small yet mighty Vermont Elections Division team and help continue the consistent record of excellence in election administration that this team has established. The Elections Performance Index conducted by MIT has ranked Vermont in the top states in the nation for statewide election administration. In recent years, the Division has implemented significant changes in election policy to increase access to elections for Vermonters, including automatic voter registration, election day registration, online voter registration, expanded early voting, online accessible ballot marking, and, most recently, the mailing of ballots to all active registered voters for General Elections. While these advancements have been positive for Vermonters, it has added complexity for the Elections team and election officials across the state. Simultaneously, the profile of elections has shifted dramatically with increased emphasis on cybersecurity, disinformation, technology, and data. As a result, elections have been under the microscope like never before with increased attention from the public and the press. The Director will advise the Secretary of State, lead an experienced team, and will be expected to bring a vision, new ideas, and new solutions to meet the challenges of a rapidly evolving profile of election administration.  The Elections Division engages in continual improvement processes and requires that all staff contribute to policy and operations development. If you thrive in a fast-paced environment driven by immutable deadlines with multiple demands, have a commitment to excellence, and desire to ensure voting remains the cornerstone of democracy this is the right opportunity for you. Salary: $44.59/hour. Deadline: Feb. 6. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here. 

Election Protection Hotline Specialist, Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law– Are you passionate about safeguarding democratic processes? Join us as an Election Protection Hotline Specialist! This pivotal role involves collaborating with hundreds of legal volunteers to address voter concerns reported to the 866-OUR-VOTE hotline. As part of our dynamic hotline infrastructure team, you’ll be at the forefront of managing day-to-day operations. Expect a fast-paced environment, multitasking, and a commitment to early mornings, evenings, and weekends. Embrace the opportunity to learn and employ cutting-edge technology. The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law stands at the forefront of national racial justice legal advocacy. Established in 1963 at the behest of President John F. Kennedy, our organization employs legal advocacy to champion racial justice. We strive, within and beyond the courtrooms, to ensure that Black individuals and people of color have a resounding voice, equal opportunities, and the power to materialize the promises of our democracy. 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 Training Coordinator, Denton County, Texas– The Elections Training Coordinator performs professional level work organizing, managing, developing and implementing training for all Denton County Elections Administration (DCEA) employees, temporary staff, and election workers.  Employee is responsible for assessing the training needs within the DCEA and implementing a curriculum to meet those needs.  Employee is responsible for coordinating, managing, implementing and executing training with minimal supervision with specific deadlines in place. Examples of Duties: Develops, manages, and/or coordinates required training for all election workers. Prepares, schedules, coordinates, and teaches election training for election workers (Election Judges, Alternate Judges, Elections Department, clerks, etc.). Manages CERA, REO, IGO, and other professional election certifications and reporting requirements. Prepares and schedules CERA, REO, and IGO approved training classes for employees of DCEA. Manages the training of help desk personnel and other temporary employees. Schedules, announces, and conducts registration for training classes.Researches changing laws and trends and modifies or revises existing training programs as necessary, based on the need for new material. Manages and maintains training material and tools used for the various types of training and makes recommendations for additional resources. Prepares all necessary handouts for the attendees. Regular and punctual attendance is required. Performs other related duties as required. Salary: $53,909.00 – $62,534.00 Annually. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here. 

Elections Administrator III, Vermont Secretary of State’s Office– Come join the busy Elections Division team in the Office of the Secretary of State. Duties include: Responding to legal inquiries regarding election administration from candidates, political parties, town clerks, researchers, and the public; overseeing administration of the campaign finance disclosure process, including management of the online disclosure system and advising candidates on the statutory requirements and filing process; administering the political party organization statute; overseeing the candidate petition filing process for all statewide elections and assisting in administration of the elections database for all candidate information, ballot production, and election results for all statewide primary, general and special elections.  This position will also design and conduct regular training sessions for town and city clerks on all aspects of election administration law and policy.  Responsibilities may require overtime on nights and weekends, especially on or around Election Day.  Duties often must be performed on strict deadlines in accordance with the election law.  Come join our small but mighty team and experience the very rewarding work of ensuring the election process in Vermont remains the accessible, accurate, and dependable process that has made it a model for election administration around the country. Salary: $30.39/hour. Deadline: Feb. 4. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here. 

Elections Candidate Coordinator, Buncombe County, North Carolina– Buncombe County Election Services is hiring for a Candidate Coordinator position that will be responsible for campaign finance duties, assisting candidates with candidate filing and petitions, and providing support to the department’s front desk and finance division when needed. The goal of the Candidate Coordinator position is to be an informational resource and point of contact for potential candidates and currently elected officials. This includes auditing campaign finance reports, creating campaign finance and filing materials, training staff in candidate filing, and assisting candidates and treasurers with compiling campaign finance reports. The Candidate Coordinator will also provide the general public with valuable information regarding campaign contributions and expenditures allowing them to make informed voting decisions with knowledge of campaign fundraising and spending. Salary: Hiring Range: $23.38 – $27.31. Deadline: March 1. 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 Technical Lead, Utah County, Utah– Under general direction of the Elections Director, performs a variety of technical and support services for election systems and software programs. Incumbent must understand the major functions and capabilities of the statewide voter registration database and software programs used by other elections vendors. Incumbent is responsible for generating reports, basic troubleshooting of election systems and software programs, staging of election equipment, and maintaining the Utah County ballot center. Assists with general elections responsibilities, as needed. Salary: $22.25 – $25.58 Hourly. Deadline: Feb. 2. 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.

Field Services Engineer, Clear Ballot– Our nation’s elections are being challenged like never before, and the elections industry has historically stifled innovation to improve voting technology. As the first newcomer in the industry in the last 30 years, Clear Ballot rises to the challenge with a simple goal: Let’s create technology that empowers our customers to improve democracy. Elections are the cornerstone of our democracy, with the right to vote being one of our greatest freedoms. While most Americans across the country watch and read about elections, Clear Ballot lives them. Great elections require secure and reliable tabulation equipment, full transparency of the process in which ballots are created and cast, and the ability to audit the results. Our mission is to surpass those expectations in a way that will raise the bar for the entire election technology industry. At Clear Ballot, we view collaboration as one of our main drivers for success and we encourage all of our employees to share their thoughts and ideas to help both turn our bold vision into a reality and to make Clear Ballot a great place to work.  This is a great opportunity to combine technical skills with customer interaction and support. As a Field Support Engineer, you will travel to customer sites to upgrade hardware, software, and to provide application training. Travel within assigned territory is required, with the potential to travel to other domestic states as necessary to support our customers.  This position will support the Syracuse, NY area with routine travel to surrounding counties. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here. 

Field Services Manager, Clear Ballot – Our nation’s elections are being challenged like never before, and the elections industry has historically stifled innovation to improve voting technology. As the first newcomer in the industry in the last 30 years, Clear Ballot rises to the challenge with a simple goal: Let’s create technology that empowers our customers to improve democracy. Elections are the cornerstone of our democracy, with the right to vote being one of our greatest freedoms. While most Americans across the country watch and read about elections, Clear Ballot lives them. Great elections require secure and reliable tabulation equipment, full transparency of the process in which ballots are created and cast, and the ability to audit the results. Our mission is to surpass those expectations in a way that will raise the bar for the entire election technology industry. At Clear Ballot, we view collaboration as one of our main drivers for success and we encourage all of our employees to share their thoughts and ideas to help both turn our bold vision into a reality and to make Clear Ballot a great place to work.  This is a great opportunity to combine technical skills with customer interaction. As a Field Support Engineer, you will travel to customer sites to upgrade hardware, software, and to provide application training. Travel within assigned territory is required, with the potential to travel to other domestic states as necessary to support our customers. This position will support the Allentown, PA area with routine travel to surrounding counties. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here. 

Policy and Compliance Administrator, Denver, Colorado– The Office of the Clerk and Recorder is seeking a Policy and Compliance Administrator to join the team. The Policy and Compliance Administrator ensures that the Clerk and Recorder’s office and external stakeholders comply with relevant federal, state, and Denver laws and administrative rules. This role supports four essential administrative functions: Compliance Administration, Policy Administration, the Ballot Access Program, and the Poll Watcher Facilitation. Additional the Policy and Compliance Administrator will: Develop technical expertise in the laws and rules that apply to the operations of the Clerk and Recorder’s office; Provide guidance to internal and external stakeholders to resolve questions or disputes regarding policies and procedures; Administering the process to resolve complaints filed with the office in accordance with Denver law, including campaign finance complaints; Draft proposed administrative rules regarding Denver elections and campaign finance regulation; Review and propose state and city legislation; Ensuring that candidates and ballot measure proponents comply with relevant laws and rules; Working cooperatively with internal stakeholders to ensure that Clerk and Recorder’s office can properly conduct elections; Maintain the official compilation of the Clerk and Recorder’s Election and Campaign Finance Administrative Rules and implement a process for updating the rules, tracking versions, and making the rules accessible and available to the public; Develop and maintain written policies governing the Ballot Access Program and draft and maintain guides and manuals for internal and external stakeholders; Work in cooperation with the Elections Division staff and Communication Team; Develop and maintain a process for certifying poll watchers during each election; Perform other job-related duties as assigned. Salary: $65,523 – $108,113. Deadline: Feb. 5. 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.

Registrar of Voters, San Bernardino County, California– The Registrar of Voters will foster an environment that promotes civic participation and ensures transparent and fair elections. They will design and implement voter education programs tailored to the needs of County residents. This position requires a deep understanding of the County’s diverse demographics, its unique challenges, and the ability to implement strategies that promote voter engagement, education, and participation. The Registrar will oversee voter registration efforts, ensuring that registration processes are accessible, efficient, and in compliance with state and federal regulations. They will work closely with local community organizations, schools, and governmental entities to create outreach initiatives and workshops to increase countywide engagement. Engaging with the community is at the heart of this role. Building and maintaining strong relationships with various stakeholders, including community leaders, advocacy groups, and residents, is paramount. Organizing town hall meetings, forums, and public discussions will be essential to address concerns, gather feedback, and disseminate essential information related to voting procedures, ballot measures, and electoral reforms. By actively listening to the community’s needs and concerns, they will play a pivotal role in shaping policies and initiatives that resonate with the diverse population of San Bernardino County. This position offers a unique opportunity for development and growth within the realm of civic engagement and electoral processes. As the landscape of voting rights, technologies, and methodologies continues to evolve, staying abreast of emerging trends, best practices, and legislative changes is essential. Participating in training programs, conferences, and workshops will enhance the knowledge base, skill set, and capacity to navigate the complexities associated with administering elections in the County. Salary Range: $153,504 – $218,004 DOE/DOQ. Deadline: Feb. 29.  Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here. 

Senior Policy Associate, Verified Voting– As we head into an election year, the SPA will play an integral role on Verified Voting’s programs team, helping the organization ramp up work in priority states and respond effectively to new developments as they arise. The SPA will lead our engagement in several priority states related to Verified Voting’s key issue areas, including robust tabulation audits, ballot accounting, chain-of-custody documentation, and other best practices that support public confidence in elections. (The states will be determined in coordination with other team members who serve as state leads.) The SPA will not lobby, but will advocate for improved policies in priority states, engaging with various stakeholders. They will also collaborate closely with election officials, providing procedural and technical assistance related to implementation of risk-limiting audits and other best practices. The SPA will also provide election officials with strategic messaging support to help them effectively communicate the impact of their work to voters. The SPA will work closely with team members on other policy work and may lead research and writing projects. In particular, the SPA will help develop new materials and resources to capitalize on the upcoming conclusions of a new messaging research project. We are a fully remote organization — the only requirements are that you are eligible to work in the US, that your location is in the US, and that you have a workspace that allows you to complete the demands of the position. Verified Voting’s official operating hours are 9am-5pm Eastern Time, but we work together to accommodate team members’ various time zones, circumstances, and work styles. Occasional in-person meetings and travel opportunities are possible. Salary: $85,000–$90,000. 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.

Voter Registration Coordinator, Denton County, Texas– The Voter Registration Coordinator performs administrative work to ensure that all activities in the Voter Registration Division of the Elections Administration Department are carried out properly. This position is responsible for directing daily voter registration operations and plans, directing special projects, and delegating, coordinating, and assessing activities within deadlines. Supervises activities of voting and voter registration; ensures staff work is in compliance with established policies and procedures. Downloads and uploads reports from Secretary of State as necessary. Acts as liaison and primary voter registration contact person for the Elections Administration office with computer software companies, voters, vendors, and representatives of other county’s Voter Registration offices and other Denton County Departments. Performs duties as database administrator for the Voter Registration Database. Oversees the content and timely processing of all reports to the Secretary of State’s Office regarding Voter Registration. Prioritizes and delegates all voter registration tasks. Maintains all voter registration files including hard copy and computerized files. Sets and prioritizes performance goals for voter registration staff and monitors progress toward completion thereof. Trains and supervises all persons utilizing the voter registration computer system. Composes uniform policies regarding performance of voter registration tasks and uniform documentation of all voter registration processes. Designs and supervises modifications and upgrades to the voter registration computer software. Verifies and writes voting precinct descriptions. Posts and reconciles postage for postage accounts. Regular and punctual attendance is required. Performs other related duties as required. Salary: $50,388.00 – $58,450.00 Annually. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.

 

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