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Election News This Week

More States Offering Options to Vote Before Election Day: The Center for Election Innovation & Research has released a new report, “The Expansion of Voting Before Election Day, 2000-2024,” which shows that 46 states plus DC will offer at least one universal option to vote before Election Day under current law for the 2024 election, up from 24 states offering such an option in 2000. In 2024, nearly 97% of all voting-age citizens live in states that will offer at least one universal option to vote before election day, a major expansion from the 2000 general election when just 40% of voting-age citizens lived in states with such an option. To trace this expansion, the CEIR research team reviewed state legislation and legislative history for relevant voting methods—such as early voting and mail voting—in each state and cross-referenced their findings with other data and the interpretation of state officials to identify changes to the voter experience over time. “In red states and blue states alike, policymakers, election officials, and voters have all recognized the value of having options to vote before election day. The benefits of expanding options to vote before election day are clear, from bolstering election integrity and providing eligible voters more opportunity to cast a ballot,” said David Becker, Executive Director of The Center for Election Innovation & Research. “Providing options to vote before election day minimizes the risk of technical problems on election day and allows time to protect against misinformation and build voter confidence.”

Primary Update: Five more states – Arizona, Florida, Illinois, Kansas and Ohio – held primaries this week which were marked by low turnout and few problems. In Arizona not many Arizonans turned out for the state’s presidential preference races, but those who did saw few lines and a relatively smooth election day statewide. A printer out of ink in Prescott, missing keys for a Navajo Nation polling site and poll workers playing hooky in the Valley were among the biggest problems on Tuesday according to the Arizona Republic. According to the paper, the near-perfect election day bodes well for the upcoming state primary and general elections. While there are still some races headed to recounts and run-offs in Florida, overall voting was smooth on Tuesday. The day was largely marked with low turnout and with many of those who did turnout, voting by mail or early in-person. Ballots are still being counted in a close race in Chicago, but overall it was an uneventful election day in Illinois. Turnout in Chicago and other areas reached a record or near record low. While election judges across the state saw less people voting today, the Illinois State Board of Elections reported a significant amount of people voted early for the 2024 primary election.  Roughly 430,000 people voted early in Illinois, and 250,000 of those votes were sent by mail. The Illinois State Board of Elections reported only 183,000 people cast their ballots in person prior to Tuesday. Kansas held its first presidential preference primary since 1992 and only the third overall. The cost of the primary was about $5 million. “I think it’s really important. We always vote, and also our state’s paying for it,’ said Sedgwick County voter Kandace Jones. The law passed last year by lawmakers to use a primary instead of a caucus is only in place for this election cycle. “The state legislature did the right thing, I think, to have a primary, call it a preferential primary,” Sedgwick County Commissioner Pete Meitzner said. “It’s just this was the wrong year for it with Trump and Biden already secured. I think if they could adjust it, we ought to do it on Super Tuesday like a lot of states.” And in Ohio, while there had been concerns about the impacts devastating storms may have on polling places and voters, overall the primary day went well. Secretary of State Frank LaRose said other than a few logistical measures, there have been little to no issues at the 3,000 polling locations in the state. LaRose credited the 30,000 poll workers who have been expressing their patriotism by working together to ensure voting is a secure and simple process. The Ashland County Sheriff’s Office and the Ashland police responded to seven calls on Tuesday to respond to complaints of hecklers and the placement of campaign signage. No charges are expected in any of the incidents from either agency. A Lorain County poll worker was fired March 19 after he took a bag of provisional ballots into a bar and left them unattended while dining at the establishment. Undergraduates studying management information systems at the University of Dayton worked with the Montgomery County Board of Elections to upload voter information from polling locations across the county. “Election workers like these students are vital to helping us run the primary,” said Board of Elections Director Jeff Rezabek. “Every vote matters, and these students help us ensure ballots are counted accurately and reported promptly.”

Eclipse Update: With just 18 days to the full solar eclipse – an event none of us really saw having an intersection with elections news until it did – another county has announced changes to their voter registration deadline. Bloomington, Indiana, in the path of totality, is expecting around 300,000 visitors around the April 8 eclipse. Because of the increased traffic and all that comes with it, the Monroe County voter registration office will be closed. Voter registration will be extended until noon on April 9. The deadline extension is required by state law. Whenever a filing deadline occurs on a day an office is closed, the deadline rolls over to noon the next day the office is open, according to Indiana Election Division (IED) Co-Director Angela Nussmeyer. Nussmeyer said the IED does not have a list of counties where the county clerk’s office or a separate board of voter registration/elections is closed April 8, but added, “Counties have been provided information by IED on how to handle this potential impact to their workflows.” The next full solar eclipse isn’t until 2044, but that’s also a presidential year and it’s on a Tuesday! Fortunately it’s a Tuesday in late August (23rd) so that shouldn’t interfere with too many (if any) registration deadlines or election days. 

Sticker News: Chicago rolled out a new “I Voted” sticker for this week’s primary election. The Chicago Board of Elections ordered 2 million of the apple-size stickers. The new design features a ballot box set over a dark blue backdrop and above the four red stars from Chicago’s city flag. The stickers are handed out like little prizes after voters cast their ballots, passed out at precincts and included in vote-by-mail packets across the city. The artist behind the new sticker, Jane Ignacio, has designed everything for the board for more than 20 years, from its social media posts to its election judge handbooks. “Going to the polling place on Election Day is like my Super Bowl,” the freelance designer told The Chicago Tribune. A graduate of DePaul University’s communications school, Ignacio has always been interested in politics, she said, though she began her long-term relationship with the “I voted!” stickers largely by luck after the studio she worked for after college took on the city elections board as a client. River View High School sophomore Neydin Padilla designed the new “I Voted” stickers that will go in the more than 126,000 mail ballot packages sent to Benton County, Washington voters this fall. “That is pretty exciting. I know my family’s excited to get one when they vote. It’s just cool that everyone’s going to see what I did,” she told the Tri-City Herald. “I wanted that sticker to be for everyone,” Padilla said. Padilla hopes that as voters submit their ballots this fall and put on her sticker, that they’ll be encouraged to continue being civically engaged citizens. “They should keep voting,” she said. Starting with the April 2 election in Clay County, Missouri voters will receive one of four new “I Voted” stickers created by Lillian Schumacher students Juli Abduliah, Genevieve Raash, Kaylee Bridges and Sydney Lunt. Last year, Liberty Public Schools and the Clay County Election Board collaborated to have an “I Voted” sticker competition in Lillian Schumacher Elementary School’s fourth-grade classes. This was an exercise in government, art and education. The students were invited to participate in the competition, followed by an election that determined the winners. The four winning designs will be given to voters in the 2024 April, August and November elections at all Clay County polling locations. “Tiffany Ellison (the Democrat director for the county election board) came to me with this awesome idea of having my fourth-graders create ‘I Voted’ stickers for upcoming elections. I absolutely loved this idea and knew I had to make this happen,” said 4th grade teacher Celeste Fansher. “The kids had the chance to connect to the voting process,” she explained. “I believe parents, grandparents and neighbors will try to collect the stickers this round when they head to their polling places,” Ellison said. With this success, Ellison said every other year, another school will be tapped to participate.

Personnel News: Dawn Duckett has resigned from the Shasta County, California Citizens Elections Commission. Allegan County, Michigan Clerk-Register Bob Genetski announced he will officially seek a third term in office. Nye County Commissioners appointed Cori Freidhof to run elections in the Nevada county. Cache County, Utah clerk and auditor David Benson submitted his resignation. Edwin Smith has joined MTX Group as vice president of election solutions. Debbie Mace is retiring as the long-time Burke County, North Carolina elections director. Christina Panagouleas-Stephens has been hired as the deputy director of elections for Miami County, Ohio. And congratulations to Beaufort County Board of Voter Registration and Elections Director Marie S. Smalls who recently received the South Carolina Association of Registration Elections Officials’ (SCARE) coveted Moore Award.  The Moore Award is the highest award the SCARE organization presents to its members. 

Legislative Updates

Alabama: Gov. Kay Ivey signed legislation into law this week that put new restrictions on absentee voting. Republicans in the Alabama Legislature had named the bill as a key priority for the year and aimed to get it in place before the November election. Republicans said it is needed to combat voter fraud through “ballot harvesting,” a term for the collection of multiple absentee ballots. Democrats argued that there is no proof that ballot harvesting exists and called it an attempt to suppress voting by absentee ballot. The absentee voting bill would make it a misdemeanor to distribute a pre-filled absentee ballot application to a voter. The bill also says that no one other than the voter applying for an absentee ballot can return the application to their county’s absentee election manager. Absentee ballot applications can be returned in person or by mail or commercial carrier. It would become a felony to give, or receive, a payment or a gift “for distributing, ordering, requesting, collecting, completing, prefilling, obtaining, or delivering a voter’s absentee ballot application.”

Arizona: In an effort to bypass a veto from Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs, Republicans want to ask voters to end early voting by mail, sharply limit early voting in person and cap precinct voting locations in Maricopa and Pima counties at 1,000 voters.  Republicans have introduced two separate bills that eliminate early voting, by far the most popular way to vote in Arizona, and to cap voting precincts at 1,000 voters. But if those pass through both chambers, Hobbs would have the power to veto them. House Concurrent Resolution 2032 would instead go to the November ballot and ask the voters for approval, avoiding Hobbs and her veto stamp. Unlike the bill that would ban voting centers to be replaced by 1,000-voter precincts, the resolution would allow counties with populations of 500,000 or less to use voting centers, while it would require counties with populations of 500,000 or more — Maricopa and Pima counties are the only to fit that criteria — to use 1,000-person precincts, though they could open voting centers in addition to those. Jen Marson, executive director of the Arizona Association of Counties, told lawmakers on the Senate Elections Committee that the precinct cap, even with an allowance for voting centers in addition to precinct locations, was completely unworkable. She estimated that around 2,500 precincts would be necessary in Maricopa County alone. That’s more than twice as many as the 1,100 or so the county had 20 years ago — and it was a struggle to find workers to staff them back then. Marson said that the bill “hamstrings counties in a way that’s just untenable.”

Connecticut: Lawmakers are considering a number of election reforms to strengthen absentee ballot oversight and security. One of the bills would mandate video surveillance at ballot boxes and limit replacement absentee ballots to only the applicant. The other proposal would establish a 17-person group of local and state officials, and citizens, which could provide towns training or monitor elections when necessary. Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas supports the legislation. “I want the people of Connecticut to know that overall, my confidence in Connecticut’s elections is very strong,” Thomas told members of the Government Administration and Elections Committee. “But like any system, it can always be tweaked to make it more efficient, more secure.”

Georgia: Senators advanced a series of election-related proposals this week that could reduce the number of voting machines on election day, require more audits and post pictures of ballots online. The bill package arrived in the final days of Georgia’s annual legislative session as the Republican-controlled General Assembly sets priorities ahead of this year’s presidential election. In addition, the bills would add watermarks to ballots, make voter intimidation a felony, require election workers to be U.S. citizens, allow candidates to proof ballots before they’re printed, and require referendums to raise taxes to be held during high-turnout primary or general elections. The Senate Ethics Committee approved the measures, House Bill 974, House Bill 977 and House Bill 1207, along party lines, with Republicans in favor and Democrats opposed. The bills also guarantee that official poll watchers have access to voting locations and can sit or stand “as close as is practicable” to election workers. Another proposal would set up a program to scan the human-readable text printed on ballots to ensure that they were counted correctly from computer QR codes. The program would cost an estimated $6 million, and Senate Ethics Chairman Max Burns said legislators are considering the cost during budget negotiations. At least two other election bills are also under consideration this week. A bill that would criminalize using deepfake computer-generated versions of politicians to deceive voters cleared the Senate Judiciary Committee on March 18.

The Senate Ethics Committee considered legislation this week that would, in theory, make it harder to challenge individual voters. The bill from Max Burns comes in response to activists who have challenged over 100,000 voter registrations during the past three years. Burns said House Bill 976 would clarify that voter challenges should be upheld if a Georgia voter registers in another state, claims a homestead exemption in a different jurisdiction or registers at a nonresidential address. The committee heard debate but did not vote on the legislation. 

Idaho: Lawmakers are considering more than doubling the distance political organizers must be from polling places while voting takes place.Right now, politicians and special interest groups can display signs, pass out materials and other things within 100 feet of a polling location. A bill approved by a House committee on Tuesday would extend that to 250 feet. Secretary of State Phil McGrane agreed, saying electioneering has gotten out of hand in some places, like Kootenai County. Last year, he said people fought over the single parking space at the local elections office that was 100 feet from the door. “It became competitive for who gets to park and put their signs in that spot to the point that there was a collision competing to get the spot and law enforcement had to be called,” McGrane said. The bill wouldn’t apply to private property within the 250 foot exclusion zone. It now goes to the House floor.

Illinois: An amendment proposed in the Illinois General Assembly would restrict voting in any Illinois election to citizens only, heading off proposals to allow noncitizens to vote in local and municipal elections. Currently, state and federal laws require U.S. citizenship for a person to be able to vote in State and Federal elections, but state Democrats have proposed changes that would allow noncitizen migrants to vote in school board races if their children are in the school district. The Illinois Senate Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment 14 would amend the Suffrage and Elections Article of the Illinois Constitution to ensure that U.S. citizenship would be required to vote in any election in the state. The amendment would need to be approved by both houses of the General Assembly by May 5th in order to be placed on the November 5th General Election ballot, to be approved by voters.

A lawmaker wants to give election workers some extra protection. State Senator Steve Stadelman’s bill would create a new fine for harassing or abusing people who run the polling sites. Stadelman came up with the idea in response to the growing amount of harassment election officials are seeing across the country. He points to a recent report from the William Brennan Institute for Labor Studies that found one in three election workers has been harassed. Stadelman’s bill would establish a maximum $1,000 fine for people caught harassing or abusing election judges. Political analysts say the increase in harassment coincides with a trend of fewer people signing up to be election judges. The bill is still in committee. Illinois does not have any fines like this right now.

Kentucky: Senate Majority Leader Damon Thayer, R-Georgetown’s Senate Bill 300 would eliminate vote centers under state law. He said the system is not working as intended. “I think a better model would be, use a regional voting center for the three days of early voting but to reintroduce the precincts for election day itself,” Thayer said. Under the bill, all counties would move back to a traditional precinct style of voting, much like pre-pandemic. Thayer said the vote center model works in some but not all counties. He added constituents in his home county, Scott, have reached out to him complaining of longer distances to get to one of its 12 voting centers. Kentucky counties can currently choose how to run their individual elections. Tabatha Clemons, Grant County clerk is also president of the Kentucky County Clerk’s Association, said the system adopted post-pandemic allows clerks to choose what works best for their individual county. “They know their counties best,” Clemons said. “Those of us who are serving every day in our local communities understand the needs of our county.”

Louisiana: Louisiana lawmakers have filed legislation that would make it harder to vote by mail, particularly for elderly shut-ins and people with disabilities, just as record numbers cast ballots Saturday on the first day of early voting in the state’s March 23 presidential primary election. House Bill 476, sponsored by Rep. Josh Carlson, R-Lafayette, would prohibit a person from mailing more than one absentee ballot for a voter who isn’t an immediate family member. Under current law, no person except the immediate family of the voter shall hand deliver more than one absentee ballot per election to a registrar of voters to be counted. Carlson’s bill would expand that provision to include delivery by mail. Carlson’s bill is the House and Governmental Affairs Committee.

Other bills under consideration include: Senate Bill 134, sponsored by Sen. Alan Seabaugh, R-Shreveport, would completely revoke voting rights from people on probation or parole for a felony offense. It would reverse laws approved in 2018 that allowed people under community supervision to vote.  Seabaugh’s bill is assigned to the Senate and Governmental Affairs Committee. Senate Bill 101, from Sen. Blake Miguez, R-New Iberia, that would prohibit any parishes or municipalities from adopting a ranked-choice voting system of elections. Ranked choice allows voters to note their order of preference for candidates. Advocates say it provides voters a greater say in who ultimately is elected, while critics have argued it goes against the one-person, one-vote standard. House Bill 90, by Rep. Beau Beallieu, R-New Ibieria, would prohibit state and local election officials from following any federal election directive without first receiving authorization from the state Legislature. House Bill 506, from Rep. Polly Thomas, R-Metairie, would force voter registration organizations to get clearance from the Secretary of State in order to operate.

Maryland: Maryland lawmakers are considering a bill that would give voting rights to currently incarcerated individuals with felony convictions. While existing law already requires the Maryland Board of Elections (MSBE) to place ballot drop boxes inside the state’s correction and detention facilities, incarcerated felons are barred from joining their fellow inmates in voting. Introduced by Del. Jheanelle Wilkins, D-Montgomery County, the Voting Rights for All Act would no longer require felons to wait until they get out of prison to vote. Despite having a limited fiscal impact on the state, Del. Wilkens’s bill does call for the state’s corrections department to hire a new “Voting Rights Ombudsman for Incarcerated Individuals.” This position would mediate any voting access disputes between incarcerated individuals and the MSBE. According to the bill, this new hire would also “assist in facilitating voting by incarcerated individuals.”

Minnesota: Voters in Minneapolis, St. Paul, St. Louis Park, Minnetonka and Bloomington can now pick their local officials via ranked choice voting. Giving all local units of government the option to do so for nonpartisan elections and municipal elections is the objective of HF3276. Sponsored by Rep. Cedrick Frazier (DFL-New Hope), it was approved on a split-voice vote Wednesday by the House Elections Finance and Policy Committee. It is next to be heard by the House State and Local Government Finance and Policy Committee. An amendment that did not meet the filing deadline is expected to be added at the next stop. In addition to increasing voter turnout, Frazier said benefits of the change would include candidates needing a broader range of support and running on policy solutions rather than personal attacks because second-and third-choice votes may be needed. No one who voted against the bill expressed why. “Regardless of what you think about the policy of ranked choice voting, the fact that local governments will be considering it should make them want to support this bill,” said Rep. Nathan Coulter (DFL-Bloomington).

New Hampshire: The House narrowly approved a bill that would eliminate any exceptions to the state’s voter ID laws and require documentary proof of citizenship to vote, 189-185. The bill, House Bill 1569, would require a person registering to vote to provide proof of citizenship, using a method such as a birth certificate or passport.  Republican supporters have presented the bill as a way to solidify the state’s existing ID laws, and eliminate a process known as “affidavit voting.” But Democrats warned the bill, if signed into law, would disrupt the coming presidential elections and prevent some residents from voting. Republican Gov. Chris Sununu suggested he did not think the bill was necessary. Currently, new registrants must sign an affidavit on penalty of perjury that they are citizens, but they do not need to bring in hard proof. The Attorney General’s Office has the power to investigate and prosecute any voter suspected of voting illegally, including by falsely claiming citizenship. The bill would require identification in order to vote – with no exceptions. If passed, the bill would prevent voters who show up to vote without identification from signing an affidavit attesting to their identity and domicile in order to do so. Those voters would need to return with identification or be barred from voting. After approving the bill, the narrowly divided House voted not to reconsider it, a move that prevented Democrats from attempting to redo the vote with better turnout. The bill heads next to the Senate.

Lawmakers are moving closer to creating a statewide election portal, a bipartisan proposal that would allow residents to register to vote online. Under the proposed legislation, House Bill 463, the secretary of state would be empowered to create an online tool to let voters fill out a new voter application, request that an absentee ballot be mailed to them, and make any changes to the voter registration database – including their name and party affiliation. Currently, most of those tasks must be done in person, either by a set deadline before the election or on Election Day. Proponents of the bill say it would make it easier for voters of all ages to register and would ease the workload for town poll workers, who are often inundated with new voter registrations on the day of major elections. The portal would cost $426,000 to set up and about $84,000 per year to maintain, according to projections from the Secretary of State’s Office. 

Oklahoma: During a hectic deadline week that featured hours of debate and floor sessions extending well past regular business hours, several proposals affecting Oklahoma voters cleared the Legislature.  House Bill 1105, which would increase the legal challenge period for initiative petitions from 10 to 90 days, require circulators to pay $50 each for an OSBI background check and implement a refundable $1,000 filing fee, cleared the House on a mostly party-line vote. Rep. Daniel Pae of Lawton was the only Republican to vote no on the bill.  Several House Democrats argued the measure would dissuade citizen participation in initiative petitions and add financial burdens to grassroots campaigns. Presenting the bill on behalf of House Speaker Charles McCall, Majority Floor Leader John Echols described HB1105 as a transparency measure designed to give Oklahomans more information on who is circulating petitions. He said 10 days is insufficient for groups to challenge an initiative.

A bill to ban ranked choice voting statewide, House Bill 3156 by Eric Roberts, R-Oklahoma City, cleared the House on a mostly party-line vote. The proposal faced pushback from Democrats who argued the measure thwarts local control. Rep. Marcus McEntire of Duncan was the sole Republican no vote.

Pennsylvania: The House speaker said this week that qualified residents should be able to register to vote at polling places on the day of elections, and that early voting centers should be open for two weeks beforehand. Speaker Joanna McClinton had proposed these measures as part of a wider package of election changes in the last two-year session, but like many election law proposals it died in the politically divided Legislature. “Every bill requires compromise,” McClinton, D-Philadelphia, said Monday as she began to seek cosponsors for the more narrow approach. “We have a lot of work to do in our chamber, of course across the aisle and across the building.” Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman, R-Indiana, responded to McClinton’s proposal by referring in a statement to a GOP-supported proposal that also has stalled in the General Assembly: “A lot can happen if we get Voter ID as a Constitutional Amendment.” County officials who run the nuts-and-bolts of Pennsylvania elections have long clamored for more time in the immediate run-up to elections to process mail-in ballots, a proposal McClinton included in her previous bill but is leaving out this time. Lawmakers also did not act to move the day of this year’s Pennsylvania’s spring primary, scheduled for April 23, so the date remains in conflict with the first day of the Passover holiday.

A state Senate committee approved a bill that would ban dropboxes and satellite election offices where voters can turn in their mail-in ballots rather than relying on the Post Office. The bill was approved by the state government committee by a 7-4 party-line vote. It was opposed by Democrats who disputed claims of intentional fraud involving drop boxes, and argued dropboxes are convenient and more reliable than the U.S. mail. To take effect, the bill would still have to be approved by the full Senate and the state House, and then be signed into law by Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro, who supports dropboxes. The bill, SB 99, was spearheaded by state Sen. Cris Dush, R-Jefferson County, who stressed the 2019 state law that made mail-in voting available to everyone doesn’t include dropboxes.

Washington: Washington Gov. Jay Inslee (D) signed three election-related bills into law last week. Two of the bills were introduced at the request of Secretary of State Steve Hobbs (D) and will expand the ease of certifying elections and maintaining voter registration information in the Evergreen State.  One of those bills, Senate Bill 5843, authorizes the secretary of state to certify election results in any given county if that particular county’s canvassing board refuses to do so without a reason. S.B. 5843 also adds security measures specifically aimed at countering cyber hacking of election materials and setting penalties for election interference. The second bill, House Bill 1962, removes a state requirement that any voter who moves within the state must re-register to vote.  Two other bills passed by the Legislature at Hobbs’ request — one that makes harassing election workers a felony and another that expands voter eligibility — are still awaiting Inslee’s signature. Hobbs said in a statement that the four bills passed by the Legislature at his request “will go a long way toward reducing barriers to voter registration, enhancing election security, and supporting libraries and other key services.” The other bill signed by Inslee last week, Senate Bill 6269, empowers the secretary of state to start a pilot program for counties to test new options for signature verification on ballots. Signature verification on ballots — whereby election officials crosscheck a voter’s ballot signature with their voter registration signature —  is known to be “notoriously and error-prone,” according to the nonpartisan voting rights nonprofit Campaign Legal Center. This new law allows for the secretary of state to let counties develop their own methods for verifying the signature of any given ballot.

Legal Updates

U.S. Supreme Court: At the Supreme Court this week, a majority of the justices seemed highly skeptical of claims that federal government officials may be broadly barred from contacts with social media platforms. At issue was a sweeping Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals decision that barred White House officials, FBI officials, CDC and election experts, and officials from other agencies from having contacts with social media platforms. The appeals court decision is on hold pending a Supreme Court decision in the case later in the term, though the court’s three most conservative justices–Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, and Neil Gorsuch, would have allowed it to go into effect. Five individuals and two Republican-dominated states–Louisiana and Missouri–claim that the government is violating the First Amendment by systematically pressuring social media companies to take down what the government sees as false and misleading information. The Biden administration counters that White House and agency officials are well within their rights to persuade social media companies about what they see as erroneous information about COVID-19, or foreign interference in an election, or even election information about where to vote.

Alaska: Superior Court Judge Laura Hartz will rule months before the November election on the legality of a decision by state campaign regulators to punish opponents of Alaska’s voting system. The Alaska Public Offices Commission ruled in January that leaders of an effort to repeal Alaska’s open primary and ranked choice voting system violated state law when they funneled their campaign money through an organization registered as a church in Washington state. APOC commissioners fined the leaders of the ballot effort more than $94,000 for violations of campaign disclosure requirements, and ordered them to publicly disclose the sources of their funding. The opponents of Alaska’s voting system appealed APOC’s decision to the Anchorage Superior Court in February. Hartz agreed to a request to expedite the process that came from supporters of Alaska’s voting system. Hartz said in an order issued Friday that the court would issue a decision in June, months before the question on repealing Alaska’s voting system is set to appear before voters.

Arizona: Failed gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake has petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to take up a case aimed at banning the use of machines to count ballots in two Arizona counties and forcing a hand count.  Lake, along with then-candidate for Secretary of State Mark Finchem filed the suit in April 2022, alleging that the electronic ballot tabulators used in Maricopa and Pima counties were “hackable” and that the courts should place an injunction on their use ahead of the November 2022 election. Finchem, who also lost his election in 2022, and Lake each filed lawsuits after that election seeking to overturn the results. In both cases judges found that neither candidate could prove that there was any fraud, malfeasance or maladministration that changed the outcome. In August 2022, U.S. District Court Judge John Tuchi threw out the tabulator case and issued a scathing ruling. He later ordered $122,000 in sanctions against the attorneys in the case, saying that Lake and Finchem’s claims amounted to mere “conjectural allegations of potential injuries.” In October 2023, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals concurred with Tuchi’s decision to throw out the case, agreeing that it was “frivolous.”  On March 14, Lake and Finchem asked the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn the lower court’s decision. 

District of Columbia: U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson dismissed a challenge to a Washington, D.C. law that allows noncitizen residents to vote in local elections. The suit, brought on behalf of seven District residents argued that the law “dilutes the vote of every U.S. citizen voter in the District,” “infringes on Plaintiffs’ fundamental right to vote” and “unlawfully discriminates against U.S. citizens living in D.C.” in violation of the Fifth Amendment’s Due Process Clause. The plaintiffs also alleged that the law violates the plaintiffs’ “constitutional right to citizen self-government” by “enfranchising noncitizens, and also by allowing noncitizens to hold public office.” The plaintiffs asked the court to block the local law, but the court declined to do so today after finding that the plaintiffs did not have standing to challenge the law. In her dismissal, Berman Jackson concluded that the plaintiffs “have not alleged that they have personally been subjected to any sort of disadvantage as individual voters by virtue of the fact that noncitizens are permitted to vote, too.”  The court acknowledged that the plaintiffs may object to the law as a policy matter, but “their votes will not receive less weight or be treated differently than noncitizens’ votes; they are not losing representation in any legislative body; nor have citizens as a group been discriminatorily gerrymandered, ‘packed,’ or ‘cracked’ to divide, concentrate, or devalue their votes.” The opinion concludes: “At bottom, they are simply raising a generalized grievance which is insufficient to confer standing.”

Florida: Attorneys for the state are urging an appeals court to overturn a ruling that dismissed a voter fraud case out of Broward County. The case was one of 20 that drew widespread attention when Gov. Ron DeSantis announced charges alleging convicted felons had violated election laws by casting ballots. Those charges against convicted felon Terry Hubbard were thrown out in December 2022 because the judge on the case said the statewide prosecutor only had jurisdiction to prosecute crimes that occur in more than one judicial circuit. Now, state attorneys are arguing that the alleged crimes actually occurred in two circuits, so they want to see those charges reinstated. This all stems from charges filed against convicted felon Terry Hubbard and 19 others in 2022, alleging they violated election laws by casting ballots. In 2018, Florida voters approved a constitutional amendment to restore the rights of convicted felons who have completed the terms of their sentences, but it doesn’t apply to anyone convicted of murder or sex offenses, which includes Hubbard. However, when Hubbard applied for voter registration in Broward County in 2019 and 2020, he was issued a voter ID card and voted in the 2020 election. The charges were dismissed after a judge said the statewide prosecutor could only prosecute crimes that happen in more than one judicial circuit. But state deputy solicitor general Alison Preston said the crime spanned across two counties and that Hubbard knowingly committed voter fraud. The panel, made up of three judges, asked both attorneys a series of questions but then adjourned without indicating how or when it will rule.

Georgia: Superior Judge Scott McAfee ruled March 15 that Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis can remain on the case – but only if a former romantic partner, special prosecutor Nathan Wade, withdrew. Hours later, Wade resigned. McAfee had ruled that Willis showed a “tremendous lapse in judgment” in having a romantic relationship with Wade and by not keeping clear records of how they financially split personal expenses while working on the case. Removing Willis could have derailed a trial in the case. Willis and Wade each testified the relationship began after she hired him and that she repaid him for trips they took together. But Trump, former White House aide Michael Roman and co-defendant David Shafer urged McAfee to remove Willis because of what they said was a conflict of interest.

Michigan: Stefanie Lambert, an attorney facing criminal charges for illegally accessing Michigan voting machines after the 2020 election was arrested March 18 after a hearing in a separate case in federal court in Washington, D.C. Lambert was arrested by U.S. Marshals after a hearing over possible sanctions against her for disseminating confidential emails from Dominion Voting Systems, the target of conspiracy theories over former President Donald Trump’s 2020 election loss. Lambert obtained the Dominion emails by representing Patrick Byrne, a prominent funder of election conspiracy theorists who is being sued by Dominion for defamation. In a statement, the Marshals office said Lambert was arrested on “local charges.” A Michigan judge earlier this month issued a bench warrant for Lambert after she missed a hearing in her case, in which she’s charged with four felonies for accessing voting machines in a search for evidence of a conspiracy theory against Trump.

Montana: U.S. District Court of Montana Judge Brian Morris heard arguments this week House Bill 892 which reiterated existing statute saying it is illegal to vote twice in the same election but also added new registration requirements that a person must provide their registration information from the place or places where they were last registered to vote, lest they be subject to a felony charge and fines. The bill’s new registration requirements are being challenged in both state and federal court. Montana Public Interest Research Group and Montana Federation of Public Employees sued last fall, saying the additional requirements and language requiring a voter cannot “purposefully remain registered” to vote in another state or country are overly vague and broad in violation of the U.S. Constitution. This week’ hearing was on their request for a preliminary injunction blocking the new registration requirements. Morris said he would have an order out as soon as possible and outlined his considerations in whether to grant an injunction. “You’ve talked about the need for election integrity, but we’ve also had in our country a history of suppression of the franchise, and we’ve passed laws to make sure that that franchise is open to all eligible citizens,” he said. “So, how do I balance those two concerns, one of election integrity and No. 2 is making sure that someone isn’t deterred from exercising their right to vote because they’re not sure about their registration status and are worried about potential prosecution even though they only vote once.”

Nevada: The Republican National Committee, along with the Nevada Republican Party and a registered voter, sued Nevada Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar and other election authorities March 18 claiming several counties have outdated or inaccurate voter rolls. “Election integrity starts with clean voter rolls, and that’s why the National Voter Registration Act requires state officials to keep their rolls accurate and up-to-date,” Republican National Committee chair Michael Whatley said last week in conjunction with a similar case in Michigan. This action, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada, accuses the state of violating the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 by neglecting to ensure voter registration records are accurate and updated, a foundational requirement of the act. Efforts to address these concerns commenced with a formal notice sent to Aguilar in December 2023 by the plaintiffs, urging compliance with National Voter Registration Act mandates. The state’s inaction has escalated the situation to the current legal challenge, according to the suit. “At least five counties in Nevada have inordinately high voter registration rates. At least three Nevada counties have more registered voters than they have adult citizens who are over the age of 18. That number of voters is impossibly high. An additional two counties have voter registration rates that exceed 90% of adult citizens over the age of 18. That figure far eclipses the national and statewide voter registration rate in recent elections,” the plaintiffs say in the lawsuit. In its January reply to the notice sent by the GOP, the state faulted the data the Republican National Committee utilized to assess the accuracy of the state’s voter registration records.

New Jersey: Judge Zahid N. Quraishi questioned the claim that New Jersey’s county clerks don’t have time to reprint ballots before this year’s June primary elections — as he considers a case that could rob the state’s political machines of a tool that researchers say can decide an election before a single voter goes to the ballot box. Quraishi gave no timetable to rule on arguments he heard Monday from Rep. Andy Kim — who says the so-called “county line” ballot system used by 19 of New Jersey’s 21 counties violates his right to compete in a fair election. Kim is seeking an injunction to get the unusual ballot system changed before the election is held. Quraishi listened to witness testimony in the case in a hearing that lasted more than nine hours. There were more than 20 lawyers representing the county clerks and three representing Kim, and the judge repeatedly rushed lawyers on both sides.

Pennsylvania: Sam DeMarco, a member of Allegheny County Council and the Board of Elections, filed suit against the county and County Executive Sara Innamorato last week in Allegheny County Common Pleas Court. Four county voters are also plaintiffs in the case. They argue that Innamorato did not obtain approval from the Board of Elections or receive public input before going forward with the drop-off plan, as required by law. The filing asks a judge to order an injunction and stop the county from opening the additional drop-off locations until the county executive complies with the laws. Innamorato announced the drop-off locations in February, citing the need to “[expand] access to voting, while maintaining the safety and security of our elections.” DeMarco and fellow council and Board of Elections member Bethany Hallam criticized the administration for circumventing the three-member board, of which the county executive is the chair. DeMarco is also the chairman of the Republican committee of Allegheny County and the only Republican on the board. The suit is being supported by the Republican-backed national group Restoring Integrity and Trust in Elections. RITE will pay the plaintiff’s attorney fees in the case. DeMarco said he did not have an estimate of what the suit might cost. A settlement was reached early this week. In the consent order, both sides agreed that a majority of the three-member Board of Elections (of which Innamorato will soon be the chair) must vote to approve ballot return sites. The issue is on the board’s meeting agenda for Wednesday. After the vote, the plaintiffs said they will dismiss the lawsuit — regardless of the outcome.

Troy Beam, 59, a former Cumberland County constable has been charged in connection with disruptive behavior at three polling locations on Election Day in November 2023. A judge found Troy abused his authority and removed him from his position. After Pennsylvania State Police interviewed several witnesses, criminal charges were filed for obstructing the administration of law or government function, official oppression and disorderly conduct. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for next month.

South Carolina: The executive director of the South Carolina Election Commission is being sued for allegedly violating part of the National Voter Registration Act. Court documents show the Public Interest Legal Foundation has filed a federal lawsuit against Howard Knapp for violating section 8 of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993. The lawsuit alleges that in February 2024, the foundation requested a copy of the statewide voter roll, and the South Carolina Election Commission refused to provide a copy because state law prohibits out-of-state residents or organizations from purchasing the voter roll. The lawsuit alleges South Carolina’s state residency requirement violates federal law. It also alleges that South Carolina violates the NVRA requirements to provide a statewide voter roll for public inspection. 

Virginia: U.S. Eastern District Court Judge John A. Gibney Jr. gave a greenlight this week to a novel legal argument challenging Virginia’s long standing felon disenfranchisement policy based on limits imposed on the state when the Civil War ended. The lawsuit is focused on the 1870 Virginia Readmission Act, a federal law that allowed the former Confederate state to rejoin the U.S. Congress. As a condition for regaining elected representatives in the federal government, the law states that the Virginia Constitution cannot be used to deprive anyone of voting rights “except as a punishment for such crimes that are now felonies at common law.” At the time, common law felonies included “murder, manslaughter, arson, burglary, robbery, rape, sodomy, mayhem and larceny,” according to filings in the case. In his initial opinion on the case, Gibney indicated that argument had enough legal merit to survive the state’s attempts to have the case thrown out. Rejecting the state’s assertion that federal courts shouldn’t intervene in what’s effectively a Virginia political matter, Gibney ruled that the case “plausibly presents” the possibility that Virginia officials are violating federal law. Though the judge dismissed some aspects of the case, the ACLU of Virginia hailed the ruling as a victory for their side. “Virginia may no longer be a Confederate state, but the provision of our constitution that was specifically put in place to suppress the voting rights of newly enfranchised Black citizens after the Civil War is still oppressing Virginians today,” Vishal Agraharkar, a lawyer with the ACLU of Virginia, said in a news release. “Virginia is still living in the past, but by allowing our case to proceed today, the court demonstrated that it’s never too late to work for justice.”

Washington: Judge Robert Lasnik has finally determined what legislative district boundaries will look like in central Washington. It comes after months of legal back and forth, following the decision last August that district maps drawn in 2021 would need to be reworked. The court’s latest decision boots some state lawmakers out of their own districts, and critics say the ruling undermines voters in the Yakima Valley. Lasnik determined months ago that the legislative district boundaries near the Yakima Valley had to be redrawn. He wrote in the decision that the original maps dilute the voting power of the Latino community, violating the federal Voting Rights Act. In a ruling issued March 15, Lasnik selected a different version of the map to fix that problem, connecting Latino communities across a stretch of the Yakima Valley into the 15th legislative district.

Wisconsin: Kimberly Zapata, a former Milwaukee elections official accused of obtaining fake absentee ballots was found guilty this week of misconduct in office and fraud, rejecting her arguments that she was trying to expose vulnerabilities in the state’s election system. Prosecutors charged Zapata in November 2022 with one felony count of misconduct in public office and three misdemeanor counts of election fraud. Her attorney, Daniel Adams, had argued during a two-day trial that Zapata saw herself as a whistleblower and didn’t mean to hurt anyone. Assistant District Attorney Matthew Westphal countered that Zapata went rogue and broke the law rather than sharing her concerns with state election officials, reporters or legislators. “She is not a whistleblower. She’s not exposing information. She’s committing election fraud,” Westphal said during his closing arguments Wednesday morning. “As a society we cannot tolerate people who break the law when there are multiple legitimate means to raise those same concerns.” The jury found her guilty in Milwaukee County Circuit Court on all four counts after starting deliberations Wednesday morning. Zapata faces up to five years behind bars when she’s sentenced on May 2.

Opinions This Week

National Opinions: Misinformation | Security grants | Ranked choice voting 

Arizona: Poll worker safety 

Florida: Hillsborough County | Orange County

Indiana: Ranked choice voting 

Kansas: Vote by mail 

Maine: Online voter registration

Minnesota: Election officials 

New Hampshire: Voting rights  

New York: Presidential primary 

North Carolina: Poll workers | Public support

Oklahoma: Ranked choice voting 

Wisconsin: Youth vote 

Upcoming Events

Women Who Make Democracy Work: Did you know that nearly 80% of all election officials and administrators across the country are women? From poll workers to county clerks, women significantly outnumber men in this critical civic role. And despite their pivotal work, women on the frontlines of our democracy are often subjected to distinct threats, harassment, and intimidation just for doing their jobs. In honor of Women’s History Month, we’re bringing together women from our Faces of Democracy campaign to hear about their experiences as election officials and the important role they play in our democracy. Join Issue One for a discussion featuring Faces of Democracy members Maggie Toulouse Oliver (NM Secretary of State), Carly Koppes (Weld County, CO Clerk), and Claire Woodall (Milwaukee, WI Election Commission Executive Director). The conversation will be facilitated by Amber McReynolds, a member of our Faces of Democracy campaign and the National Council on Election Integrity, as well as the former Director of Elections for the City and County of Denver, CO. When: March 25, 3pm Eastern. Where: Online

Stephen Breyer on ‘Reading the Constitution,’ the Supreme Court and American Democracy: In his new book, retired Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer makes the case for pragmatism over textualism in interpreting the Constitution. Breyer joins Washington Post associate editor and columnist Ruth Marcus to discuss “Reading the Constitution,” the state of the high court and the future of American democracy. When: March 26, 12pm Eastern. Where: Online

Documentary Screening of “Democracy on Trial” & Panel Discussion: Join the NPC Events Team for a screening of FRONTLINE’s “Democracy on Trial” followed by a discussion with Director & Producer Michael Kirk. FRONTLINE investigates the roots of the criminal cases against former President Trump stemming from his 2020 election loss. With the presidential race for 2024 underway, veteran political filmmaker Michael Kirk and his team examine the House Jan. 6 committee’s evidence, the historic charges against Trump and the threat to democracy.” Watch the trailer here. When: March 27, 6pm. Where: Washington, DC

EAC EAVS Comments Deadline: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the EAC announces an information collection and seeks public comment on the provisions thereof. The EAC intends to submit this proposed information collection (2024 Election Administration and Voting Survey, or EAVS) to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget for approval. The 2024 EAVS asks election officials questions concerning voting and election administration, including the following topics: Voter registration; overseas and military voting; voting by mail; early in-person voting; polling operations; provisional voting; voter participation; election technology; election policy; and other related issues. When: April 3

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

After the Voting is Over: Counting, Results Reporting, Recounts (and More): It’s full steam ahead to 2024’s general election. What are lawmakers and election administrators thinking about now to prepare? Find out in this four-part series, hosted  by the National Conference of State Legislatures in partnership with the U.S. Election Assistance Commission. We’ll focus on the elections workforce; counting and recounts and more post-voting work; the voters’ perspectives and voter confidence. The election doesn’t end when the polls close. Counting (and confirming the count) comes next—along with reporting results and, sometimes, recounts. Join us for the second installment of NCSL’s four-part webinar series on election administration to learn about what happens after voting is over. U.S. Election Assistance Commissioner Donald Palmer will consider how all states address these tasks that ensure accurate and verifiable results. When: April 12, 2pm Eastern. Where: Online. 

The Misinformation and Disinformation Idea-thon: Help Solve a Major Societal Problem—Bring Your Ideas to Fight Misinformation and Disinformation Misinformation and disinformation pose a significant threat to democracy. They are spread by authoritarian state actors and malign non-state actors bent on undermining and damaging free and liberty-loving republics. Unfortunately, most solutions come internally from social media platforms or rest with governments to devise. A new grassroots strategy is needed: bottom-up rather than top-down. That is why R Street Institute and George Mason University are holding an Idea-thon to address the problem and find new solutions. Teams will form to attack misinformation and disinformation from four tracks: government, business/technology, nonprofit, and education. Winning teams will receive prizes. Examples of work products include new legislation and regulations, a business plan for a tech start-up, a mobile app, an academic course, or a new nonprofit. Be creative! Software developers are needed, but no computer science skills are necessary to participate. Just bring your best ideas for combating misinformation and disinformation. When: April 20. Where: Fairfax, Virginia

Election Center Special Workshop: The Election Center will hold a Special Workshop in Portland, Oregon with a focus on state trainings, certifications and conferences. Covered topics will include AI and election management, training new employees,  working with interns, volunteers and law students, executive staffing and working with the Legislature. There will also be presentations by the U.S. Elections Assistance Commission and CISA. The workshops will kick off with a tour of the Multnomah County elections office. Additionally several CERA classes will be held in conjunction with the workshop. When: April 24-28. Where: Portland, Oregon.

Focus on the Voters: It’s full steam ahead to 2024’s general election. What are lawmakers and election administrators thinking about now to prepare? Find out in this four-part series, hosted  by the National Conference of State Legislatures in partnership with the U.S. Election Assistance Commission. We’ll focus on the elections workforce; counting and recounts and more post-voting work; the voters’ perspectives and voter confidence.  Who are the most important people in an election? The voters. In the third installment of NCSL’s four-part webinar series on election administration, U.S. Election Assistance Commissioner Tom Hicks will address questions voters often ask and how states “get out the information” to voters. He’ll cover how states ensure the right to vote for people with disabilities and citizens living abroad (military and otherwise). When: May 10, 2pm Eastern. Where: Online. 

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

Voter Confidence: What Can Move the Needle: It’s full steam ahead to 2024’s general election. What are lawmakers and election administrators thinking about now to prepare? Find out in this four-part series, hosted  by the National Conference of State Legislatures in partnership with the U.S. Election Assistance Commission. We’ll focus on the elections workforce; counting and recounts and more post-voting work; the voters’ perspectives and voter confidence.  Voter confidence is top of mind for elections stakeholders this cycle. In the final part of NCSL’s spring webinar series, U.S. Election Assistance Commissioner Christy McCormick will delve into state policies that can increase voter confidence. Perfecting processes and procedures comes first: clarifying all policies before the first vote is cast; cleaning voter lists; adopting strong chain-of-custody procedures for ballots and equipment; updating emergency plans; using pre- and post-election audits; and more. The next job is to ensure all that good technical work is transparent and communicated well to voters and the public. When: June 14, 2pm Eastern. Where: Online. 

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.

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. 

Chief Electoral Officer, Government of Nunavut, Canada– Applications are invited for the position of Chief Electoral Officer of Nunavut. This is a seven-year, full-time statutory appointment. The Chief Electoral Officer is an Independent Officer of the Legislative Assembly. The office-holder is appointed on the recommendation of the Legislative Assembly, pursuant to the Nunavut Elections Act. The position exercises a range of powers and responsibilities under the Nunavut Elections Act and the Plebiscites Act. Copies of the statutes are available at: www.nunavutlegislation.ca. The Chief Electoral Officer is responsible for the conduct of territorial general elections and by-elections, as well as elections to municipal councils and other bodies. The next territorial general election is scheduled to be held on October 27, 2025. The successful candidate will be an experienced senior manager with proven professional success in managing complex administrative operations. Knowledge of electoral administration and legislation is essential. This position requires a high degree of attention to detail, including the ability to accurately interpret, administer and explain complex statutes and regulations. The successful candidate will possess the ability to communicate clearly and consistently with the general public, stakeholder groups and the news media. Excellent writing skills, including the ability to draft comprehensive annual reports to the Legislative Assembly, are required. Understanding of Inuit societal values, language and culture is a definite asset. The Office of the Chief Electoral Officer (Elections Nunavut) is located in Rankin Inlet, Nunavut. A detailed Position Profile is available from the Office of the Legislative Assembly and may be downloaded from the Legislative Assembly’s website at www.assembly.nu.ca. Salary: $145,094.00 to $207,277.00 per annum. Deadline: March 22. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here. 

City Clerk, Palos Verdes Estates, California– The City of Palos Verdes Estates is a 4.75 square mile city in southern California, offering beautiful ocean and hillside views, urban forest, and recreational opportunities. With approximately 13,500 residents, the City is known for being a planned community with tranquil neighborhoods and is the oldest of four cities on the Palos Verdes Peninsula. Residents enjoy magnificent views of the Los Angeles Basin and Pacific Ocean, low density, rural character, preserved open space, low crime, and excellent schools. The Office of the City Clerk is responsible for coordination and preparation of City Council meeting agendas and back-up materials, maintenance of the Municipal Code, and election administration, along with publishing legal notices, ordinances, and resolutions, as required by law. The City Clerk also receives, and processes subpoenas, prepares, and coordinates responses to public records requests, prepares and certifies Certificates of Residency (pensioners), and administers the Oath of Office. The City is seeking a collaborative, organized, and highly motivated individual to serve as the next City Clerk. The ideal candidate will bring record-keeping experience, problem solving capabilities, and a proven track record of exercising confidentiality. An honest, ethical, and technically savvy team builder who is cooperative and flexible is essential. The incoming City Clerk should be adaptable and politically astute, promoting a culture of transparency and integrity. Salary: $99,756 to $125,028. Deadline: March 24. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here. 

Communications Representative, Michigan Dept. of State – This position will serve as the recognized resource in the Bureau of Elections for elections-related communications and dissemination of public information. The position will serve as the recognized resource for communications and media inquiries and coordinate responses in conjunction with the Office of Communications and External Affairs. The incumbent will review and analyze documents produced in the Bureau of Elections to ensure consistent and accurate language, including reviewing for grammar and usage and make appropriate edits. Salary: $57,553.60 – $84,115.20 Annually. Deadline: March 24. 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.

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 or Senior Outreach Coordinator, Arapahoe County, Colorado– Election Outreach Administrator: The Election Outreach Administrator performs specialized level administrative, and professional work in carrying out a comprehensive public facing service operation. This position specifically leads and supports all areas of community outreach including voter education materials, judge training, coordinating various voter programs and partnering with designated election officials and the partner community at large. Senior Outreach Administrator: The Senior Outreach Administrator performs senior level administrative, and professional work in carrying out a comprehensive public facing service operation. This position specifically leads and supports all areas of community outreach including voter education materials, judge training, coordinating various voter programs and partnering with designated election officials and the partner community at large. Salary: $51,771.20 – $85,367. Deadline: Mach 25. 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 and Democracy Fellow, Center for Democracy & Technology– The Elections and Democracy Fellow will contribute to the organization’s work across these issues, particularly focusing on threats to the online information environment. The position requires a combination of research and advocacy skills to respond to emerging issues. Responsibilities: Conducting research on key issues impacting the information environment around elections, in order to raise awareness about vulnerabilities, highlight best practices, and develop/disseminate recommendations for generative AI companies, social media platforms, election officials, political campaigns, and other actors. Authoring policy papers, reports, blog posts, and similar materials. Engaging directly with technology companies to develop best practices and policy recommendations. Serving as a resource to federal and state governments and political campaigns as they enact new policies and practices on the use of generative AI in political advertising and campaigning. Coordinating advocacy efforts with other civil society organizations that have a shared interest in elections and democracy and the online information environment. Assisting with tracking and analyzing federal and state proposals to regulate generative AI and other elections-related legislation. Convening and engaging with technical experts, election vendors, election officials, voting and democracy advocates, academics and other stakeholders working on issues within the project’s scope. Supporting research, preparation, and operationalization of trainings for election officials and other stakeholders. Collaborating with CDT’s teams focused on free expression/online platform governance; technology & disability rights; AI governance, and consumer privacy; as well as CDT’s Research team and non-resident Research Fellows. Salary $65K-$105K. 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 Director, Burke County, North Carolina– Performs complex administrative and supervisory work in organizing and operating the County Elections Office. Work includes establishing voter registration procedures, overseeing candidate filings, and providing support to the County Board of Elections, including meeting coordination, budget drafting, and addressing voter issues. This role demands independent judgment, initiative, and excellent interpersonal skills, along with a deep understanding of election laws. Work is conducted under the guidelines of state laws and policies set by the County Board of Elections, with performance evaluated based on accuracy, efficiency, and the effectiveness of election operations. Work involves setting policies and goals under the direction of the County Board of Elections. Supervision is exercised over all department personnel. Salary: Hiring Range: $69,639 – $83,567. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.

Elections Division Director, Travis County, Texas– Are you looking for career opportunities that provide top-notch benefits including paid vacation and sick leave, parental leave, outstanding health, vision, and dental insurance, a free health clinic for you and your dependents, a generous retirement plan, and much more? Then bring your talents to Travis County! Directs, administers and manages operational activities of a divisional area. Directs and administers operational activities. Manages systems, staff and equipment. Ensures that systems comply with applicable federal, state and local election laws. Directs, manages and controls division budget. Prepares and submits a variety of fiscal and administrative reports. Ensures adequate resources available for operation of division. Designs, budgets, implements, monitors and evaluates operations. Directs the annual work plan to achieve organizational mission statement, stated goals and objectives. Evaluates and reports on performance and develops and implements quality improvements strategies. Solicits, conducts initial negotiations for, and drafts new contracts with other governmental entities for providing any combination of election services. Serves as liaison with other agencies and the media with regard to elections issues. Supervises support staff, evaluates staff job performance, coordinates and prioritizes schedules and assignments. Authorizes staff productive and non-productive work hours. Orients and trains staff, including assignments and distribution of workload to adjust to changing priorities. Performs other job-related duties as assigned. Salary: $99,345.18 – $129,148.73 Annually. Deadline: March 28. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here. 

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

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

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

Elections Technology Specialist, McLennan County, Texas– Under supervision of the Elections Administrator, the Elections Technology Specialist performs complex and technical duties related to activities in overseeing the County’s voting equipment by creating each election’s ballot using ballot origination software, programing and testing the County’s voting equipment with each elections ballot, processing and scanning returned mail-in ballots with the Ballot Board, and maintaining the County’s voting equipment after each election. Salary: $19.92 – $31.72 Hourly. Deadline: June 20. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here. 

Field Operations Coordinator, Hays County, Texas– Reporting directly to Election Network Engineer, responsible for overseeing the inventory, distribution, maintenance, warehouse storage, and logistics of all equipment, voting ballots, and department assets for Hays County Elections Department. Responsible for identifying and reserving polling sites including overseeing the coordination of all polling site compliance and usage. Ensures polling locations follow the Texas Election Code for early voting and election day. Oversees the day-to-day tasks of the election technicians’ program. Salary: $46,378 – $50,678. Annually Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here. 

Field Services Engineer, Syracuse, New York– 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. We are seeking a dedicated Field Service Engineer to provide exceptional on-site support and technical services to our clients. In this critical role, you will ensure that our election technology operates flawlessly, safeguarding the integrity of the voting process. This is a remote position with up to 70% travel, especially during election cycles, to deliver hands-on assistance and expertise nationwide. Key Responsibilities: Install, configure, and maintain Clear Ballot election systems at customer sites, ensuring optimal performance and reliability. Conduct comprehensive training sessions for customers, empowering them to effectively use our technology. Provide immediate on-site technical support during pre-election, election day, and post-election activities, resolving any issues to prevent disruptions. Perform regular system maintenance and updates, minimizing downtime and ensuring continued compliance with industry standards. Collaborate with engineering and product teams to report field observations and contribute to product improvements. Develop and maintain strong customer relationships, providing exceptional service and support. Manage logistics and prepare for deployments, ensuring all necessary equipment and materials are available on-site. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here. 

Operations Associate, NASED– A part-time (approximately 20 hours per week), fully remote, Operations Associate for a small nonpartisan, nonprofit membership association. Reporting to the Executive Director, this new role will support all the organization’s operational needs. The responsibilities of this position will include, but are not limited to, the following: Help update and maintain website content; Help maintain NASED’s social media presence, including developing content and creating basic graphics; Work with NASED’s controller on monthly financial reports and with the auditor and accountant on annual reports and filings; Monitor and assist with responses to inquiries sent to NASED’s shared inboxes; Maintain organization distribution lists; Assist with scheduling Board and Committee meetings; Assist with conference planning, including developing the conference website via the conference management platform, creating and proofing materials, planning activities, and budgeting; Support the execution of two national conferences per year; Create and send annual invoices to organization members and Corporate Affiliate members; and Other duties and special projects as assigned. This position is part-time and fully remote, but the candidate must live in the United States. Travel to support NASED’s Winter and Summer conferences is required (approximately 10 days per year). This position reports to NASED’s Executive Director. This role does not supervise any staff. 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.

Registration & Elections Manager, DeKalb County, Georgia– The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned. Manages, directs, and evaluates assigned staff; develops and oversees employee work schedules to ensure adequate coverage and control; compiles and reviews timesheets; approves/processes employee concerns and problems and counsels or disciplines as appropriate; assists with or completes employee performance appraisals; directs work; acts as a liaison between employees and management; and trains staff in operations, policies, and procedures. Organizes, prioritizes, and assigns work; prioritizes and schedules work activities in order to meet objectives; ensures that subordinates have the proper resources needed to complete the assigned work; monitors status of work in progress and inspects completed work; consults with assigned staff to assist with complex/problem situations and provide technical expertise; provides progress and activity reports to ; and assists with the revision of procedure manuals as appropriate. Conducts elections; manages personnel to ensure that all elections are conducted in accordance with state and federal laws and regulations; secures early voting locations and recommends schedules; appoints site managers and determines staffing requirements for early and election day voting; works with polling location personnel and county information technology and GIS staff to ensure provision of technology training and services; develops and reviews training for compliance with election laws; monitors early voting traffic; recommends changes in procedures to resolve issues; conducts election night precinct check-in, election audit and preparation of precinct statistics; monitors election tasks lists; monitors election software programming; and oversees financial filing process. Implements, monitors and maintains registration functions and processes; reviews registration functions and processes including felon registrations, duplicate voters, citizenship verifications, jury summons questionnaires, provisional voting, election night precinct check-in and election audit; monitors and ensures compliance with established protocols and procedures; and updates protocols and procedures as needed. Prepares and completes a variety of registration, production and election reports; compiles and/or tracks various administrative and/or statistical data; generates and prepares data; submits all mandated reports to local, state and federal regulatory agencies or others as required; and maintains related records. Maintains training and procedure manuals; and develops, updates, and revises procedural manuals for voter registration and election functions. Interprets, applies, and ensures compliance with all applicable codes, laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies and procedures; initiates any actions necessary to correct deviations or violations; maintains comprehensive, current knowledge of applicable laws/regulations and pending legislation that may impact department operations; and maintains an awareness of new products, methods, trends and advances in the profession. Assists in developing and implementing department budget; reviews budgetary needs and makes recommendations to executive management; and monitors expenditures against approved budget. Salary: $66,132 – $106,473. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here. 

Research & Outreach Associate, Verified Voting– Verified Voting seeks a Research & Outreach Associate (ROA) to join its growing policy and programs team. This is a full time salaried position reporting to the Senior Program & Partnerships Associate. The ROA supports Verified Voting in maintaining the accuracy of our two most popular tools: the Verifier (https://verifiedvoting.org/verifier/) and Voting Equipment Database (VED) (https://verifiedvoting.org/equipmentdb/), including conducting outreach to election officials regarding their election equipment and its usage. Keeping these databases updated informs policymakers and the public about election systems in use across the country. The ROA participates in the expansion and enhancement of our data by researching new and hard-to-find information on election systems and equipment usage. The ROA may also conduct rapid-response research to support our advocacy and legislative work, including conducting legislative tracking and gathering information for testimony. The ROA represents the organization by building relationships with election officials and supports the policy and programs team in other administrative and research-related tasks as they arise. We are searching for someone tenacious, eager to learn, detail-oriented, and who is comfortable working with people from a variety of backgrounds and public officials across the political spectrum. 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 9 am–5 pm 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. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here. 

Sales Engineer, Richmond, Virginia– 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. We are on the lookout for a proactive, dynamic Sales Engineer to join our team. In this remote position, you will have the flexibility to work from home, bridging the gap between our innovative technology and the customers who utilize it. This role is instrumental in advancing our mission to enhance democracy. Please note, while this position offers remote flexibility, it requires up to 70% travel, especially during election periods, to provide on-site support and expertise to our customers nationwide. Key Responsibilities: Collaborate closely with the sales team to understand customer requirements and provide technical support during the sales process. Develop and deliver product demonstrations that clearly articulate the value and unique advantages of Clear Ballot’s solutions.Respond to technical questions and concerns from potential clients, ensuring they understand how our technology can meet their needs.Assist in the preparation and delivery of proposals and presentations that effectively communicate the benefits of our products. Provide feedback from the field to our product development teams, influencing future product enhancements and innovations. Stay abreast of industry trends, competitive landscapes, and emerging technologies to position Clear Ballot effectively in the market. Serve as a Field Service Engineer during election periods, offering hands-on support and expertise to ensure the seamless operation of Clear Ballot technology for existing customers. Provide proactive assistance to customers during pre-election testing and setup, ensuring their systems are optimized and ready for use. Be readily available on election day to troubleshoot any issues that arise, offering immediate solutions to maintain the integrity and smooth functioning of the election process. Conduct post-election follow-ups with customers to gather feedback, address any concerns, and ensure the overall success of their election experience with Clear Ballot technology. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here. 

Senior Director, Election Law Program, William & Mary–The Election Law Program (ELP), a joint initiative of the William and Mary Law School and the National Center for State Courts, has a mission to provide resources for judges deciding election disputes. This vacancy is for an experienced attorney to serve in the role of Senior Director of the Election Law Program. The Senior Director will be an attorney with experience in election law. Reporting to the ELP Co-Directors, the portfolio of responsibilities will include, but not be limited to: Developing resources for judges deciding election cases; Supporting projects that enhance understanding of federal and state election laws and the role of courts in resolving election disputes; Sharing research findings and legal resources through a variety of mechanisms such as publications and educational programs (e.g., webinars, presentations, and conferences); Overseeing ELP project implementation; Identifying and capturing trends in election litigation; Engaging in collaborative projects with trusted partners; Supervising student research; and Participating in fundraising efforts to support existing and future ELP initiatives as required. NOTE: If interested, an opportunity for appointment as an adjunct professor to teach a relevant course within the field of election law is available. Salary: $110,000 to $125,000, commensurate with experience. 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.

Work Elections Fellowship Coordinator, Campus Vote Project– Fair Elections Center’s Campus Vote Project seeks a WorkElections Fellowship Coordinator. The Fellowship Coordinator is a key member of our team. They are charged with quickly solidifying and deploying a program to recruit students to serve as poll workers across five states ahead of the November 2024 elections. The Fellowship Coordinator will supervise a team of five Supervising Fellows who will assist them and CVP State Coordinators in training and support CVP Democracy Fellows who receive an additional stipend to complete state-specific WorkElections recruitment for poll workers.  This position reports to the CVP Curriculum and Research Manager with additional support from the National Special Projects Manager.  Fair Elections Center’s Campus Vote Project (CVP) was launched in 2012 to expand our work on student voting issues.We work with universities, community colleges, faculty, students, and election officials to reduce barriers to student voting. CVP helps campuses institutionalize reforms that empower students with the information they need to register and vote. Campus Vote Project has three main areas of focus: institutionalizing voter engagement, providing up-to-date election information, and developing student leaders. Fair Elections Center also began WorkElections.org to address a struggle that many local election officials face: recruiting a sufficient number of poll workers – particularly those with in-demand technological and language skills, to help voters on Election Day. The online tool collects poll worker requirements and applications for thousands of jurisdictions across the country, providing a central source of simplified information for interested individuals who may not know how or where to apply.  WorkElections seeks to facilitate poll worker recruitment to ensure that this year’s elections go as smoothly as possible. This position brings these two projects of Fair Elections Center together to further the missions of both: 1) by recruiting a pool of poll workers that are more representative of the communities they will serve, and  2) reducing barriers to student voting and welcoming more young voters into the democratic process. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here. 

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