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2024 Primary Updates

Voters in Iowa, the District of Columbia, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico and South Dakota head to the polls, drop boxes and mailboxes this week to complete their 2024 primary voting.  

The District of Columbia conducted its first election where noncitizens had the right to vote in local races. While there were no reports of issues on Tuesday, prior to the election, election workers fielded angry calls and emails for more than a month from people who oppose allowing noncitizen residents to vote in local elections. Monica Evans, the executive director of the D.C. Board of Elections told The Washington Post that employees were encouraged to cover up any D.C. Board of Elections paraphernalia they may be wearing or holding while outside the office in case someone who opposes noncitizen voting directs their opinion toward a staffer. D.C. police spokesman Tom Lynch said in a statement before the election that officers would be near polling locations “ensuring safety for voters.” Other than the news about the noncitizens it was a relatively smooth day in DC, although there was one report of a drop box being locked 15 minutes before polls closed at 8pm. An election worker was on site and accepted the ballots from the people, about five, that showed up to drop their ballots. Evans thanked all the excellent election workers and volunteers for their hard work but told WUSA9 it was the first time the election worker was assigned to that particular position. “He got a little ahead of himself, moved quickly and arrived as directed at 7:45, but locked the ballot box,” Evans explained. “It’s not a good look and we take full responsibility.”

 Iowans went to the polls (or mailboxes) this week and there were no reports of any issues, even following recent extreme weather. Turnout did seem to be down however. “It’s way, way down,” Travis Wiepert, Johnson County auditor, said. “It’s disheartening, and it’s costly,” Weipert said. “We have to pay our poll workers to be there all day, and we have to take all the equipment out there, all the ballots for nobody to show up.” Poll workers in the City of Outtuma took primary day as an opportunity to recruit for November. Kathy Wilson, who has been a poll worker off and on for the past ten years, explained the current need for more workers. “Well, I just think it’s a good civic duty,” said Wilson. “You know, and they do need, They do need help. I think over the years, they’ve had many people that, did it year after year after year. And many people have retired and gotten older and they just needed some new faces and needed help.” 

It was a quiet day in Montana. Early Tuesday morning, election officials reported a slow trickle of voters arriving to cast ballots.  “It’s a little slower than we thought it would be,” Grant Mounteer, chief election judge for precinct 22, told the Beacon at First Baptist Church in Whitefish.  Mounteer thinks turnout for the primary may be low due to a lack of ballot initiatives and high-profile federal races.

 In one county in New Jersey there were no reports of problems on Tuesday, but during early voting a few issues arose. A coding glitch meant that some voters got incorrect ballots in Cape May County.  “There was an issue with the voting machines as far as what came up on the screen,” said Deputy Attorney General Karen Catanese.  “There was a coding issue, and so instead of Wildwood Crest coming up, Wildwood came up.  As soon as that was realized, the board took action and called ES&S.  They worked it out, figured out what the issue was, and it was resolved within the next day.” Also, in Atlantic County a judge will decide on June 7 what to do with more than 1,800 mail ballots that were opened too soon. 

In New Mexico, it was business as usual this week. “Another successful New Mexico Primary Election is in the books and I appreciate every voter who took the time to cast their ballot and make their voice heard,” Secretary Toulouse Maggie Toulous Oliver said. “I want to thank all the county clerks and their staff, the poll workers, our vendors, and our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners for their professionalism in helping to ensure the smooth conduct of this election.” 

The biggest news out of South Dakota on Tuesday was that voters in three counties voted against petitions that would have moved the counties to hand counts. The votes were in Gregory, Haakon and Tripp counties. The unofficial election results from the Secretary of State’s Office: Gregory County, 587 votes (54%) against the petition and 509 (46%) in favor; Haakon County, 276 (61%) against the petition and 177 (39%) in favor; and Tripp County, 734 (57%) against the petition and 553 (43%) in favor. Nearly 40% of registered voters turned out for the Gregory County primary election. Auditor Julie Bartling is confident the results reflect how all voters across the county would have voted. “They listened to the pros and cons, and I believe this vote shows they still have confidence in the tabulators and the work we do here in the auditor’s office,” Bartling said Tuesday night. “We’re a small county and we know each other. You just want people to have a sense they can Also in South Dakota, precinct boards in Minnehaha County were split on whether absentee ballots associated with mail forwarding services should have been counted during South Dakota’s primary election. Precinct boards at two Sioux Falls polling places received formal challenges to absentee ballots cast in their jurisdictions on the grounds that those voters do not meet voter registration requirements.

Election News This Week

Drop Boxes: This week, Wyoming Secretary of State Chuck Gray sent a letter to county clerks urging local election officials to ditch drop boxes ahead of absentee voting beginning next month, going as far to say that drop boxes are illegal under state statute.  “I do not believe drop boxes represent a safe, secure, or statutory basis for absentee voting,” Gray wrote in a Wednesday letter to county clerks. “For this reason, they should not be used in the 2024 Election and beyond.” While Gray’s letter may be strongly worded, it likely amounts to just that since it’s up to county clerks to decide whether to use drop boxes. The County Clerks’ Association of Wyoming reiterated that discretion in response to Gray’s letter.  “We hold that the use of ballot drop boxes as a method of ballot delivery is safe, secure and statutorily authorized,” the association wrote in its response. Wyoming’s election code specifies that absentee ballots shall be “mailed or delivered to the clerk,” but Gray interprets that differently than his predecessor.  “The plain language of the statute, which strikes a balance between allowing voters to conveniently cast their votes and maintaining the security and integrity of the early voting process, does not authorize delivery of an absentee ballot to inanimate object, such as an unstaffed ballot drop box,” Gray wrote in his letter. In some instances, however, the election code leaves decisions up to locally elected officials, the clerks’ association said in its response, pointing to electronic pollbooks, election equipment, vote centers, precinct boundaries and absentee ballot processing. Drop boxes are another example, according to the association.  “The voices of our constituents as a whole help guide our decisions on this, and many other, important election administration decisions,” the association wrote. “Our great state offers a myriad of differences from one corner to the next and for that reason a blanket solution does not always serve those distinct populations in the most practical manner.”

Native Suffrage: This week marked the 100th anniversary of the Indian Citizenship Act. Before the Act was approved by Congress on June 2, 1924, a patchwork of statutes and treaties already offered about two-thirds of Native Americans citizenship, sometimes in exchange for land allotments that fractured reservations, gestures of assimilation, military service and even the renunciation of tribal traditions. The one-sentence Indian Citizenship Act swept away those requirements in an attempt to grant citizenship to all Native Americans. However, citizenship did not mean a right to vote for all Native Americans. While passing the Act, Congress deferred to state governments qualifications on who qualified to vote. Legal access to the ballot was denied under existing state constitutional provisions and statutes until 1948 in Arizona and New Mexico — and until 1957 on reservations in Utah. One hundred years later, some states like New Mexico, which approved the Native American Voting Rights Act in 2023, are still working to better enfranchise Indigenous voters. In Montana, on the anniversary of the Act’s passage, the ACLU of Montana held a gathering in Missoula that featured a screening of the documentary Indigenous Voting Rights in Montana, highlighting the struggles and efforts to make voting easier for native communities. Executive Director Akila Deernose says this event was not a celebration of the anniversary but a celebration of voting. “Their ability to keep fighting for the right to vote and securing the right to vote is really important,” Deernose said. “Especially this year as an election year where the power to shape the future we all want to see full of equity and democracy for all that’s the power that the vote has so we want to recognize that and celebrate it.”

Summer Interns: This year, 22 University of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science students — 35 total — are serving as summer interns for the Virginia Department of Elections through the Virginia Cyber Navigator Internship Program.  Students from George Mason University, Norfolk State University, Old Dominion University, Virginia Commonwealth University and Virginia Tech are also participating. The interns will advise localities about where they can shore up electronic defenses. “Seek to understand, then be understood,” said Susan Beals, Virginia’s elections commissioner, referring to the importance of listening to other people’s ideas and feelings before providing input. The funding for the internship program comes from the National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity program, a National Security Agency initiative. Potential problems with voting might come in the form of breaches of voter rolls or computerized balloting systems, or from other hacks to sensitive information.  Students, in that regard, can make a big difference, Beals said. They are not perceived as the state hovering over local efforts. The students are there to learn. In exchange, they share with the local officials what they know about the latest cybersecurity practices.  She advised students to keep their cool in what may be an intense work setting. Leave political leanings at home and remember that most problems during elections are simply human errors, she said.  She noted that she makes a point to visit local registrars’ offices before each election, but that the internship program has been a good return on investment as a supplemental effort. In all, it takes about 20,000 people to conduct an election in Virginia, she said. The program also has paid off for students. For example, one of the interns who participated last year was hired full-time by the election locality where she interned. Localities voluntarily participate, with several having returned again this year. Professor Jack Davidson, director of UVA’s Cyber Defense Program of Study, has worked with faculty from across the Commonwealth to provide the Virginia Cyber Navigator program to computer science undergraduates and voting communities for all three years of the grant. “Students will be drawing on this experience for years to come,” Davidson said.

Sticker News: The Newtown, Connecticut Registrar of Voters office has officially announced the winners of its “I Voted” sticker design contest for Newtown students in grades 5-12. Fifth grader Bennett Depasquale, seventh grader Eva Hawley, and tenth grader Annika Van Sickle each won in their respective category of the “I Voted” sticker design contest. They each received a button with their artwork on it, and stickers with their designs will be handed out in the Presidential Election in November at the schools of their age group. Student submissions were divided into three different age groups for the contest: grades 5-6, grades 7-8, and grades 9-12. Depasquale was the winner of the grades 5-6 category, Hawley was the winner of the grades 7-8 category, and Van Sickle was the winner of the grades 9-12 category. Republican Registrar Erica Canfield said that the Registrar of Voters was very pleased with their first attempt at holding the contest, and that they were grateful to the judges for doing a great job and helping them with the contest. Congratulations to Justine Biel Salasayo who won the first-ever “I Voted” sticker contest in Harnett County, North Carolina! Justine is an art student under the direction of Visual Arts teacher Katja Wise at Coats-Erwin Middle School. She will receive a $50 gift card and her artwork will be printed as a sticker to be distributed during the 2024 General Election this fall.  

Podcasts: The latest episode of High Turnout Wide Margins is out. In this episode, “Virginia is for Voters with Henrico County’s Mark Coakley”, hosts Eric Fey and Brianna Lennon speak with Mark Coakley. He’s the General Registrar of Henrico County, Virginia. They spoke about Mark’s long history working in elections and the unique way that local election administrators in Virginia are setting their own educational priorities and learning from each other. In the latest episode of AEI’s The Voting Booth, hosts John Fortier and Don Palmer are joined by Geoff Pallay, Director of Editorial Content and Editor-in-Chief at Ballotpedia. Slate’s latest episode of the What Next podcast is about Election Workers in the Crosshairs. On the latest Ballot Battleground: Nevada episode, host Ben Margiott visits one polling place in Reno and has an update on turnout so far. Plus, Washoe County registrar of voters Cari-Ann Burgess on the smooth in-person voting and how her office addressed a series of ballot errors. And Jennifer Willett with All Voting is Local joins to talk about her group’s efforts to expand voting access including into jails.

Personnel News: Paulina Gutiérrez has been approved as the new executive director of the Milwaukee, Wisconsin election commission. 

Legislative Updates

Federal Legislation: This week, House Appropriations Committee released an appropriations bill that would reject a $96 million request from the Biden administration for grant funding through the Help America Vote Act, which has funneled billions in federal dollars to states and localities since 2002 to replace voting machines, train workers, harden the security of election systems and meet other election administration needs. Additionally, the bill would provide just $20 million in funding for the Election Assistance Commission, the federal agency responsible for managing the grants and testing and certifying voting machine standards. That figure is $114 million less than requested levels for fiscal year 2025 and $7.7 million less than what it received in 2024. On June 5, lawmakers advanced the measure in a party-line vote of the Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee of the full House Appropriations Committee. During a markup of the Financial Services and General Government appropriations bill, ranking subcommittee member Steny Hoyer, D-Md., said the appropriations process was not done in a bipartisan manner and expressed his belief that “this bill is going nowhere” in its current form, as Democrats intend to block it with their control of the Senate and White House. Despite the proposed cuts, an official at the EAC told CyberScoop that agency officials aren’t panicking, given that the measure is almost certain to be blocked by congressional Democrats. 

Alabama: More people convicted of felonies in Alabama will be automatically disqualified from voting under a new law that expanded the list of crimes defined in Alabama as those involving moral turpitude. The main purpose of HB100, by Rep. Adline Clarke, D-Mobile, was to provide enhanced penalties for crimes committed against poll workers and other election officials. The bill came in response to the rise in threats to poll workers and election officials since the 2020 presidential election. In addition to the enhanced penalties, HB100 defined crimes against election officials as crimes of moral turpitude, a designation that means those convicted are disqualified from voting in Alabama. “Individuals who commit one of the crimes of moral turpitude listed in the Felony Voter Disqualification Act will lose their right to vote,” Clarke said in a statement. “It stands to reason that if someone commits a serious crime against an election official, thereby interfering with the election process, that person ought to lose their own voting rights.” But before passing the bill, lawmakers amended it to define six more felonies as crimes of moral turpitude, plus four categories of felonies for “inchoate” crimes, such as attempted crimes and conspiracies. Rep. Jim Hill, R-Moody, proposed the amendment to add to the list of moral turpitude crimes. Hill said the office of Secretary of State Wes Allen asked him to sponsor the amendment, and he supported the idea. Clarke did not oppose Hill’s amendment on the House floor. The House approved the amendment without a dissenting vote and then approved the bill 95-0. The Senate approved it 31-0 and Gov. Kay Ivey signed it into law. The law will take effect Nov. 6, one day after the general election, according to the secretary of state’s office. That’s because of a constitutional amendment Alabama voters approved in 2022 that says laws affecting elections cannot change within six months of an election.

Colorado: If voters decide in November to pass a ballot measure making big changes to the way the state’s elections are conducted, it may be years before they go into effect — if ever. That’s because of a last-minute amendment added to a broad bipartisan election bill awaiting Gov. Jared Polis’ signature. The provisions would create a major barrier to a proposal to alter Colorado’s primaries so candidates of all parties run against each other, with the top four vote-getters advancing to a ranked choice general election.  Now, proponents of the election overhaul, who were unaware of the big hurdles created by Senate Bill 210 until they were contacted this week by The Colorado Sun, are demanding that Polis veto the legislation. County clerks and opponents of the voting changes are demanding that he sign it.  Amid the growing pressure campaign, the governor won’t say whether he will sign or veto the measure, which would require ranked-choice voting to be tested in 12 municipalities before it could be used statewide. He has until June 7 to decide. “The governor is reviewing the final version of the bill,” said Shelby Wieman, a spokesperson for Polis.

Louisiana: On May 28, Gov Jeff Landy (R) signed SB 101 into law banning ranked-choice voting (RCV) in the state. Louisiana is the fifth state to ban RCV in 2024 and 10th to do so overall. All 10 states to ban RCV have done so with a Republican controlled legislature.  The new law states: “A ranked-choice voting or instant runoff voting method shall not be used in determining the election or nomination of any candidate to any local, state, or federal elective office in this state.” The legislation makes an exception for military and overseas voters who use ranked ballots for general elections in which there may be a runoff. B 101 passed the House of Representatives 73-23 on May 15, with all Republicans voting for passage and all but three Democrats voting against. It then passed the Senate 29-8 on May 20 with all Republicans voting to pass the bill and all but one Democrat voting against.  Landry signed the bill into law on May 28 and the new law took effect immediately.

The Legislature abandoned its attempt to repeal a 2021 law that has made the task of buying voting machines overly burdensome. House Bill 856, sponsored by Rep. Mike Johnson, R-Pineville, died just one step shy of final passage during the closing days of the 2024 legislative session after Johnson ended conference committee negotiations. The proposal would have repealed parts of a 2021 law that added multiple layers of bureaucracy to the Louisiana Department of State’s process to purchase new voting systems. The most significant parts of the bill were created through a late-stage amendment adopted on the Senate floor last week. In an interview with the Louisiana Illuminator, Johnson said he decided to sideline the bill after some constituents and other lawmakers expressed concerns with the “process” used to amend the bill into its final version. Johnson’s legislation began as a simple one-page bill to add a short clause to an existing statute, making the secretary of state responsible for all “voting system maintenance and repair.” That version of the bill sailed through both chambers without opposition. It was at a May 8 Senate & Governmental Affairs Committee hearing when lawmakers hinted at the possibility of an amendment. Had the bill become law, the process of buying voting machines would still be subject to oversight from the House and Governmental Affairs Committee, the Senate and Governmental Affairs Committee and the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget. The vetting and solicitation process would have still included the public input through the Voting System Commission and the Voting System Proposal Evaluation Committee. Also, the bill would have retained requirements that vendors disclose their investors, including any foreign sources of financial support, Watson said.  “It is unfortunate that some groups were dishonest in their opposition to much-needed reforms to current law,” Joel Watson, spokesman for Secretary of State Mary Landry said..  Although he sidelined the bill, Johnson said he still supports the changes it proposed and intends to work on the issue again next year.

New York: Pending legislation could bring changes to voter registration. It’s called the Enhanced Automatic Voter Registration bill. The legislation would provide for automatic voter registration for people applying for certain Department of Motor Vehicles documentation and Medicaid enrollees. Voters would be given the opportunity to decline or opt out of the registration, but the default would keep eligible voters in order to maximize voting access and participation. Some Republican lawmakers expressed concerns about the legislation. “ “To mandate it and require that person be registered to vote, maybe they don’t want to be registered to vote. To make it mandatory rather than optional, I have a concern with,” said Sen. Tom O’Mara (R-Big Flats). While some Democrats said improving the automatic voter registration system is a way to improve voter participation in the state. The bill passed the Senate late on June 5 and now heads to the Assembly. 

Rhode Island: The House and the Senate recently each approved legislation to establish a clear process for reporting and investigating cases of suspected signature fraud involving candidates’ nomination papers. Each of the bills, sponsored by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairwoman Dawn Euer and Rep. June S. Speakman on behalf of Secretary of State Gregg M. Amore, now goes to the other chamber for consideration. The legislation (2024-H 7664A, 2024-S 3058) would codify a clear process for local boards of canvassers to immediately notify the State Board of Elections if there is a specific pattern of forgery or fraud involving signatures on a local, state or federal candidate’s nomination papers. The legislation is a response to nomination papers submitted in the 1st congressional district race last summer that included purported signatures of numerous deceased individuals. A paid signature gatherer hired by a contractor has been charged in the case. Under the legislation, the Board of Elections would issue a written determination of whether there is an instance of forgery and whether a candidate would qualify on the ballot regardless of forgery allegations. This legislation would take effect in 2025. The Board of Elections — which already carried out a similar process when forgery was suspected on nomination papers for presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy — is in the process of creating rules and regulations on this issue to ensure there is a process in place for this summer’s signature period. Still, codifying it into state law would provide clarity, permanence and provide the public with confidence in the election system.

Legal Updates

Arizona: A new lawsuit alleges Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes has failed to adequately police the state’s voter rolls, leaving at least a half million people on the lists who have either died or moved out of state. The complaint, filed in U.S. District Court, seeks an injunction to compel Fontes to follow existing state procedures to ensure there are no dead or out-of-state individuals on the state’s voter rolls. It also requests an injunction to design “reasonable and effective” procedures to ensure the voter list complies with the federal National Voter Registration Act. Fontes’ office declined to comment, citing the pending litigation. The lawsuit was filed by Scot Mussi, president of the Arizona Free Enterprise Club; Gina Swoboda, the chair of the Republican Party of Arizona; and Steve Gaynor, a voter and an unsuccessful candidate for the GOP nomination for Arizona secretary of state in 2018. The complaint revolves around repeated admissions from the Secretary of State’s Office in reports to legislative leaders that the process for cleaning up the voter lists is “in development.” That lack of a clear process, the lawsuit charges, has allowed as many as 35,000 deceased Arizonans to remain on the rolls, based on an analysis the plaintiffs did that covered two years’ worth of data ending in late November 2022.

Arkansas: On May 30, the Arkansas Supreme Court dismissed a lawsuit filed by supporters of proposed ballot initiatives that would change absentee voting procedures and require elections be conducted with paper ballots.  Arkansas Voter Integrity Initiative Inc., its CEO Conrad Reynolds and Restore Election Integrity Arkansas, a ballot question committee, filed the original jurisdiction complaint against Secretary of State John Thurston and the State Board of Election Commissioners in January. Petitioners asked the Arkansas Supreme Court to independently certify the legal sufficiency of the measures’ ballot titles and popular names and order them placed on the November 2024 ballot. They also asked the state’s high court to declare unconstitutional two laws — one that requires the attorney general to approve proposed ballot measures and one that requires petitioners to gather signatures from 50 counties instead of 15, as specified in the Arkansas Constitution. The latter law is being challenged in court separately by the League of Women Voters of Arkansas. Writing for the majority, Associate Justice Rhonda Wood said the constitution gives the state Supreme Court original jurisdiction over sufficiency of ballot titles, so the question is not whether the court has original jurisdiction, but rather when it can be exercised.  “While we have ‘original’ jurisdiction, we exercise that jurisdiction only after the Secretary of State has made a sufficiency determination,” Wood wrote. “As a result, we cannot act under this jurisdiction until the Secretary of State has acted.” With regard to ruling on the constitutionality of the two state laws, Wood said the lawsuit was a request for declaratory relief, which falls outside the court’s original jurisdiction. “While we recognize it would be helpful to have a determination of the constitutionality of both these statutes on the front end, that process could have occurred by filing a declaratory-judgment action in the circuit court,” Wood wrote. “… circuit courts have original jurisdiction over declaratory-judgment actions, and we have appellate jurisdiction. Our jurisdiction derives from the Arkansas Constitution, and it grants this court limited original jurisdiction. We cannot expand it.”

Get Loud Arkansas (GLA), Vote.org and two Arkansas voters filed a federal lawsuit in the Western District of Arkansas this week challenging the state’s new “wet signature rule,” which advocates claim suppresses new voters. Last month, state election commissioners ordered county clerks to reject digital signatures made on computers and tablets, requiring people registering to vote to do so by hand and ink–also called a “wet signature.” GLA, a nonprofit organization that provides accessible means for Arkansans to register to vote, has been conducting voter registration drives and had to toss previous voter registration forms they had collected.

California: The Shasta County Elections Office has been investigated by the Shasta County Grand Jury, which found no fault in the way it conducts elections. In its latest findings, the grand jury said elections officials did not violate state election codes when they told observers last fall that they did not have the ability nor the authority to challenge ballot signatures. “The investigation found that the elections officials adhered to the requirements of the relevant sections of the California Elections Code. This code allows observers to view the verification process, with limitations,” the grand jury stated in part in a report released this week. The Shasta County Grand Jury’s latest findings, in a report titled, “Citizen Oversight of Shasta County Elections,” came from an investigation that was triggered by a complaint from a citizen.

Orange County Superior Court Judge Kimberly A. Knill has ordered Santa Ana to update the ballot language for a measure about extending voting to noncitizens following a lawsuit filed last month that alleged the wording would be misleading to voters. The ballot language the council approved is: “Shall the city of Santa Ana city charter be amended to allow, by the November 2028 general municipal election, noncitizen city residents, including those who are taxpayers and parents, to vote in all city of Santa Ana municipal elections?” In a lawsuit filed with the county’s Superior Court, James V. Lacy, a local attorney, along with the United States Justice Foundation, the California Public Policy Foundation and Pasquale Talarico, a Santa Ana resident, argue that adding the wording “including those who are taxpayers and parents” could influence the outcome of the election. Knill agreed and ordered Santa Ana City Clerk Jennifer Hall and OC Registrar or Voters Bob Page to grant the relief sought by petitioners or appear before court on June 16 to make the case for not doing so.

Georgia: The state Court of Appeals issued an order staying any further work in the election interference case against former President Donald Trump until it decides whether District Attorney Fani Willis should be disqualified. This means that Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee, who had planned to move forward on the case, may have to wait until it is sent back to him. The appeals court is considering whether to remove Willis and her office from the case because of her romance with the outside attorney she hired as a Trump special prosecutor. The court is also weighing an appeal by the DA’s office which wants to reinstate six of the criminal counts in the racketeering indictment which McAfee dismissed. The appeals court, if it agrees to hold oral arguments, has indicated it will do so some time in the fall, and it must issue its decision by mid-March. Because none of the defendants had requested a stay, this means the appeals court decided on its own to issue the stay, leading some observers to speculate the court may ultimately reverse McAfee’s decision and disqualify Willis and her office.

Montana: Paula Buff, Lincoln County’s former election administrator has filed a lawsuit against the county alleging wrongful termination. According to the court filing, Buff brought the suit against the county pursuant to “The Wrongful Discharge from Employment Act.” Buff alleges she was “constructively discharged, as defined by Montana Code Annotated 39-2-903 (1) by the county on March 24, 2023.”  The code states that “constructive discharge” means the voluntary termination of employment by an employee because of a situation created by an act or omission of the employer which an objective, reasonable person would find so intolerable that voluntary termination is the only reasonable alternative. She also alleges that acts and omissions by the county were “malicious.” Buff is seeking compensation for lost wages and other benefits as well as punitive damages. Buff was one of three county employees who submitted letters of resignation on March 24, 2023. Former county Clerk and Recorder Robin Benson and Buff’s assistant, Amanda Eckart, also submitted their letters that day. Benson and Eckart are not part of the suit. Eckart works in the Clerk of District Court office. In Buff’s suit, she contends the county subjected her to acts and omissions which she found so intolerable that, “voluntary termination of her employment was the only reasonable alternative.” The suit also alleged that the acts and omissions by the county were material violations of express provisions of its own written personnel policy. Benson, in her resignation letter, wrote that, “There is zero respect or even common courtesy from commissioners to county election employees or myself. My job has never been political, both on the clerk and recorder side and especially elections. Now, politics is being shoved down my throat and I refuse to comply with someone else’s world view.”

Nevada: In a  lawsuit against the U.S. Postal Service, the Washoe County District Attorney’s Office claims that control of the U.S. Senate could have gone the other way in the 2022 election if its plan to move Reno’s mail-processing operations to California had been in place. It seeks to stop USPS from moving ahead with its plan until it’s submitted to the Postal Regulatory Commission so that Washoe County can oppose it. The commission is an independent body that oversees USPS operations. “Northern Nevada voters, many of whom rely on the Postal Service to deliver their ballots, have the power to determine outcomes of statewide elections,” the lawsuit says. The lawsuit mentions that Catherine Cortez Masto beat Adam Laxalt by just 8,000 votes, with more than 160,000 mail-in ballots cast in counties whose mail is handled at Reno’s Vassar Street USPS facility. “A different outcome in Nevada’s Senate race would have impacted the function of the entire U.S. Senate,” the court filing states. “If Northern Nevada’s mail ballots had been processed in Sacramento instead of Reno, there is a substantial likelihood that mail ballots would have been delayed and thus not counted.” The lawsuit lists weather delays on Interstate 80 over Donner Pass that could’ve delayed ballots if they had to go to Sacramento for processing before coming back to Nevada, as called for in the USPS’ “Delivering for America” restructuring plan.

The ACLU and seven counties have settled a lawsuit after the counties brought jails into compliance with Assembly Bill 286 which requires local jails to create processes to allow eligible prisoners to vote. “AB286 was specifically designed to reduce the disenfranchisement of eligible voters in our jails during election years,” said ACLU of Nevada Voting Rights Attorney Sadmira Ramic. “At the time it went into effect, no jails were compliant with the law and disenfranchisement was at risk to continue. Through collaboration between the ACLU of Nevada and the jail administrators and county clerks, most jails throughout the state now have policies that create access to the ballot box for eligible voters. We will continue to fight back against outdated policies that undermine our democracy.

The Trump campaign has filed its third lawsuit challenging election procedures in Nevada, now alleging that state elections officials are counting non-postmarked mail ballots after Election Day, without providing clear evidence of such a practice occurring. The suit, announced this week and filed in Carson City District Court by lawyers also representing the Republican National Committee (RNC) and Nevada GOP, hinges on April testimony from Mark Wlaschin, the deputy secretary of state for elections, who said the office accepts and counts ballots received in the mail up to three days after Election Day, even if it does not have a clear postmark. State law requires all mail ballots to be postmarked by Election Day in order to be counted, but allows for mail ballots that have a postmark with a date that “cannot be determined” and received within the three days following Election Day to be counted. The suit alleges that the state is too broadly interpreting this law by also counting received mail ballots that are not postmarked at all. “It is therefore possible, if not probable, that mail ballots deposited in the mail after election day could arrive at mail-ballot processing facilities within the three-day deadline, and under Deputy Secretary Wlaschin’s erroneous legal interpretation, those untimely ballots would be counted if they do not bear a postmark,” the lawsuit states. The suit requests that a judge order the state to not count any ballots that lack a postmark received after Election Day. An RNC press release also said “we have discovered that Nevada election officials routinely count non-postmarked mail ballots received after Election Day,” but again did not provide any examples. A spokesperson for the secretary of state’s office declined to comment on the lawsuit, but provided a memo that the office sent to local election officials last week about the interpretation of that state law. 

Ohio: The Attorneys General of half a dozen states and the District of Columbia have filed an amicus brief in a case challenging Ohio voting restrictions. The federal court challenge has to do with ballot access for people with disabilities. State lawmakers placed strict limits on who can return an absentee ballot as part of a 2022 law that requires Ohioans present a photo I.D. to vote. The attorneys general from Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey, New York and Washington, D.C. signed on to the amicus brief challenging Ohio’s law. The provisions make it a felony for anyone other than a postal worker or a specific list of relatives to return or possess another person’s absentee ballot. “Every eligible voter who wants to vote should be able to do so — full stop,” D.C.’s Attorney General Brian Schwalb wrote in a press release. “Ohio’s law violates this fundamental democratic principle by creating unnecessary obstacles that will make it harder for millions of people to cast a ballot — and disproportionately harms voters with disabilities,” he added. “This law does nothing to improve election security and instead is simply un-democratic and un-American.” The brief is quick to acknowledge Ohio isn’t alone in restricting third party ballot assistance. A handful don’t allow any outside help at all, and most states, like Ohio, place limits on who can return a person’s ballot. But the AGs argue Ohio is an outlier because it doesn’t provide flexibility for people who face legitimate barriers in accessing the ballot box.

Pennsylvania: A Commonwealth Court panel has affirmed the decision of  Lycoming County Judge Eric R. Linhardt that two voters are not entitled to a forensic audit of the November 2020 presidential election in the county. The panel in a decision issued this week also addressed the issue of when election boards must report suspicious voter circumstances to the district attorney. Linhardt last July found there is no provision in the state Election Code compelling the board of elections through an independent third party to conduct the audit requested by Richard Houser and Catherine Burns.He further found the two did not strictly adhere to the statutory requirements for contesting an election after the results are certified. Lacking, according to Linhardt, was a petition of at least 100 electors who voted in the election and a verification affidavit signed by at least five of them. The Commonwealth Court panel adopted Linhardt’s opinion on the audit but did address the reporting of suspicious voter circumstances that he did not.

Analysis and Opinions This Week

National Opinions: Poll workers, II | Elections funding | Voter fraud | Misinformation | Felon disenfranchisement | Election denial | Vote by mail 

Alaska: Voting rights | Trust in elections 

California: Poll workers | Sonoma County 

Florida: Vote by mail | Election lies | List maintenance 

Georgia: Fulton County 

Idaho: Election reform 

Indiana: Ex-felon voting rights 

Kansas: Voting rights 

Maine: Faith in elections 

Nevada: Hand counts 

New Jersey: Vote by mail | Voting rights, II 

New York: Election litigation 

Pennsylvania: Disinformation 

South Dakota: Voting system 

Texas: Democracy

Virginia: Poll workers | Trust in elections 

Upcoming Events

Supporting Election Officials: What Tech Companies Should be Doing to Safeguard our Information Environment: Partisan extremists and foreign adversaries are determined to undermine Americans’ confidence and promote inflammatory, false information about how elections are run. With easy access to generative artificial intelligence (AI) at their disposal – and zero accountability for social media platforms hosting and promoting deepfake content – these rogue actors are ready to flood the information environment and make it exponentially harder for the average voter to determine fact from fiction. Election officials across the country are bearing the brunt of this toxic information environment, having to expand their responsibilities into correcting false information and monitoring threats of physical violence. Instead of helping local election officials, social media companies have actively reduced the capacity of these frontline democracy workers to flag mis-, dis-, and malinformation on their platforms. A pending Supreme Court decision will also determine how and if the government requesting such content to be taken down violates the First Amendment. This event will feature election officials and technology experts to discuss how the information landscape has changed over the past few election cycles, the challenges facing local election officials, and what social media companies can voluntarily do in the short and long term to slow the spread of false narratives. When: June 7, 12pm Eastern. Where: Online

Operational Tabletop Exercises: Give your election preparation work a boost with The Elections Group’s operational tabletop exercises. Together, we’ll navigate potential scenarios affecting election operations, while discussing critical first steps, communicating effectively with stakeholders, learning from mistakes, and more. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn, prepare and engage with election colleagues. When: June 12, 12pm Eastern. Where: Online

Election Official Media Training 101: Election officials throughout the country have been required to publicly communicate more and more, frequently via the media. How can election officials best seize these opportunities to counter misinformation, proactively inform the public, and build trust with voters? Join the Election Official Legal Defense Network and the communications specialists at CGCN to learn how to handle and maximize media opportunities. CGCN has played a role in many EOLDN success stories, helping election offices across the country build up their resources for the coming year. EOLDN is delighted to partner with CGCN to not only share knowledge but also to provide free communications assistance tailored to an office’s needs and goals. When: June 13, 2pm Eastern. Where: Online

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.

American democracy is under threat. How do we protect it?: In the past decade, liberal democracies around the world have been attacked from within, and the United States is no exception. Democratic decline is of increased importance in a presidential election year in which many expect there to be challenges to the results, similar to those we saw in 2020. On June 17, join Governance Studies at the Brookings Institution for a webinar about democratic decline in the United States. Panelists will discuss threats to American democracy as well as responses to this emerging challenge from both public institutions and civil society. When: June 17, 10am Eastern. Where: Online

The Court v. The Voters: A Conversation with Joshua Douglas: In recent decades, we have witnessed an alarming trend at our nation’s highest court. From headline-grabbing cases like Bush v. Gore and Citizens United to lesser-known but still impactful cases like Crawford v. Marion County Elections Board, the Supreme Court of the United States has significantly changed American elections. “The Court v. The Voters: The Troubling Story of How the Supreme Court Has Undermined Voting Rights” examines each of these cases in turn and explains how each decision impacted our democracy and the voting rights of everyday Americans. In plain, accessible language, “The Court v. The Voters” uses real human stories to allow readers to understand the real and present danger of an activist court that consistently undermines those it is meant to serve — while highlighting solutions that will empower readers to plot a course for change. In conversation with Campaign Legal Center Senior Vice President Paul Smith, professor and author Joshua A. Douglas will take his knowledge of election law to lead attendees behind the scenes of the most significant cases in the history of voting rights in America. Douglas is a professor at the University of Kentucky J. David Rosenberg College of Law. He is the author of “Vote for US: How to Take Back Our Elections and Change the Future of Voting,” which provides hope and inspiration for a positive path forward on voting rights. When: June 25, 1pm Eastern. Where: Online. 

NASS Summer Conference: The National Association of Secretaries of State will hold its summer conference in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Agenda is subject to change. Committee meetings and sessions are open to all attendees, unless otherwise noted. Sessions marked CLOSED and all evening events are not open to press/media. Business attire for all meetings. Valid conference ID badge is required for entry to ALL meetings and events. All meeting times are listed in Atlantic time. There is no virtual option to attend. Press Registration (free): Media access is July 10-12 and applies to public portions of the conference. Closed sessions are clearly noted on the below agenda. To begin registration for one of the 40 media slots, please email NASS Director of Com­munications, Maria Benson at mbenson@nass.org. Admittance is subject to NASS approval. The media registration deadline is Monday, June 24 at 12pm ET or until the slots have been filled, whichever comes first. There will be no on-site or day of registration available. There is also no virtual attendance or live stream option available. When: July 9-12. Where: San Juan, Puerto Rico

IGO 2024 Annual Conference: The International Association of Government Officials (IGO) will hold its 2024 Annual Conference in New Orleans in July. The conference theme is NOLA: Networking, Opportunities, Learning, Advancements. The agenda will be packed full of education, networking, and of course time in the trade show. When: July 19-24. Where: New Orleans

Job Postings

electionlineWeekly publishes election administration job postings each week as a free service to our readers. To have your job listed in the newsletter, please send a copy of the job description, including a web link to mmoretti@electionline.org.  Job postings must be received by 5pm on Wednesday in order to appear in the Thursday newsletter. Listings will run for three weeks or till the deadline listed in the posting.

Assistant Elections Director, State of Connecticut– The State of Connecticut, Secretary of the State (SOTS) is currently seeking dynamic, passionate individuals eager to contribute their experience within the Legislation and Election Administration Division (LEAD) as the Assistant Elections Director (Assistant Division Director). Join our team and embark on a rewarding career that offers growth, superlative benefits, and a culture that encourages work/life balance. The Legislation and Election Administration Division (LEAD) administers, interprets and implements all state and federal laws pertaining to elections, primaries, nominating procedures, and the acquisition and exercise of voting rights. The Division encourages and monitors the implementation of the National Voter Registration Act and other voter registration efforts in Connecticut. In addition, the division is the official keeper of all acts, orders, grants, and resolutions of the General Assembly, receives and maintains legislation, regulations and a wide range of other public documents as required by statute, and administers Connecticut’s notary public program. Salary: $100,149 – $136,544/year. Deadline: July 5. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here. 

Customer Success Contractor, Voting Works– The Customer Success Contractor will work under the Head of Customer Success to ensure the success of all VotingWorks customers by providing remote and in-person support and product feedback to the hardware and software teams. If you consider yourself a solution-driven or process person with strong election administration experience, and a desire to support election officials, this position is for you. The ideal candidate will have a strong election administration background and an interest in supporting election officials. They will be able to build trust with customers. To succeed in this role you’re ready to wear multiple hats. Work will shift between remote audit support, responding to general customer inquiries, and peak election support, both remotely and in-person. You know how to roll up your sleeves and get things done – whether it’s a job responsibility you were expecting or an emergency that suddenly materializes from a customer call or email. You are detail-oriented, self-driven, and good at multitasking. You can work autonomously with little direction and a fair amount of ambiguity but also know when to ask for help or clarification. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here. 

Cybersecurity Junior Analyst, Palm Beach County, Florida– The Cybersecurity Junior Analyst is responsible for monitoring the organization’s log aggregation tools and triage suspicious activity or detection alerts generated by the security controls implemented within the Supervisor of Elections Office network environment. Additionally, this position will serve as the first line of defense and response for identified security events in accordance with the Information Security Policy, and cybersecurity procedures. Candidate must be organized and personable with a great attitude, be able to work well in a team environment, calmly respond to identified security incidents, and meet deadlines under pressure. Excellent work ethic, including consistent performance, integrity, reliability, and attendance, is a must. Candidate must be detail-oriented and understand the importance of security and safety for all. Must be available 24/7 365, be able to handle simultaneous projects, be a self-starter, and remain informed on emerging threats and technologies. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.

Deputy City Clerk, North Las Vegas, Nevada— Under general supervision, performs specialized administrative and technical work related to the operation of the Office of the City Clerk. Prepares, processes and distributes City Council Regular, Special and Redevelopment agendas: publishes, mails, and posts agendas as required by the Open Meeting Law. Maintains agenda mailing list. Maintains invocation log and schedules for the City Council meetings. Prepares correspondence including memos to department directors and letters to applicants, representatives and property owners describing the action taken at the various City meetings. Confirms documentation needed on all contracts approved by the City Council and advises  contractors of the requirements. Obtains City signatures as necessary. Follows-up on contract expiration dates and notifies appropriate department staff. Attends bid openings. Prepares and distributes meeting minutes, action reports, and summary minutes of public meetings. Publishes, mails, and posts public hearing notices as required by the Open Meeting Law. Prepares City Council Regular, Special and Redevelopment meeting follow-up letters, memos and final action notices; provides administrative support for City Council, commissions, committees, and boards. Performs all related duties in compliance with Nevada Revised Statutes, Nevada Administrative Code and North Las Vegas Municipal Code. Responds to inquiries from the public regarding procedures, activities and other matters that require knowledge of the department’s operations. Ordinance follow-up and log maintenance. Administers agreements which do not need to be approved by City Council. Processes vacations of streets and rights-of-way and annexations; processes bonds, both financial and construction. Responsible for preparing daily, monthly, and annual statistical reporting. Assists in producing election and election related brochures and materials in all necessary languages, including requirements, important dates, methods and means of voting opportunities and necessary documentary evidence required by federal law; acts as filing officer for candidate filing, applications and expense reports. Receives payment from the public in the form of cash, check or money orders; utilizes appropriate cashiering procedures for accepting money, safeguarding the received money and accurately balancing at the end of each day. Performs other related duties as assigned. Salary: $27.01- $42.59/hr  Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here. 

Director of Security, Virginia Dept. of Elections– The Director of Security oversees ELECT’s Security Program to ensure ELECT Systems remain confidential, integrity is maintained, and ELECT systems remain available for all users. Ensures ELECT systems meet federal, Commonwealth of Virginia and agency security standards. The position will work with ELECT development teams, network service providers and security staff of the Commonwealth of Virginia to ensure security requirements are included in SDLC activities. Responsible for ensuring security policies and controls are created, implemented, monitored, and updated, vulnerabilities are tracked and remediation and system security plans are updated to meet changing business, security and technological requirements. Supervises ELECT’s Information Security Officer, and the Voting Systems Program Manager, and is responsible for the coordination and administration of the Locality Election Security Standards. Develops and maintains a level of knowledge that ensures coverage for each position of the Security division in the event of an absence or vacancy. Work will involve providing oversight of the selection, installation, configuration, testing and implementation of security technology. Work will also involve supervising the Information Systems Security program to protect electronic information from unauthorized users, intrusions, or other security threats; leading and supervising ELECT’s information security team; participating as a security subject matter expert for information technology projects; overseeing the work of the ISO in security investigations and recommendations, access to the Commissioner for reporting requirements, and implementation of corrective actions; ensuring compliance with state and federal security regulations; and ensuring the development and delivery of ELECT’s security awareness training program. Actively participating in ELECT’s business continuity, disaster recovery, and election event security planning and implementation. The successful candidate will provide leadership and foster a high-performing work environment with a commitment to collegiality, teamwork, and collaboration. Deadline: June 14. Salary: Hiring range up to $140K. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here. 

Election Manager, Olmsted County, Minnesota– Under general supervision, is responsible for ensuring the integrity of Olmsted County elections. Manages the core services of the Elections Division including voter registration, conducting elections, election judge education, redistricting, and voter education and outreach. Supervises staff, ensures statutory compliance, and oversees implementation of processes to conduct all elections within the county. Collaborates and engages with outside agencies, vendors, and municipalities regarding process and program changes. Works evening and weekend hours as needed. Salary: $74,214 – $123,968 Annually. 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. Responsibilities of the Election Protection Hotline Specialist include but are not limited to: Support the Election Protection contact center, ensuring top-notch assistance to voters using the 866-OUR-VOTE hotline. Organize schedules and workflows for numerous legal volunteers, ensuring exceptional assistance and collecting essential data. Craft volunteer communications such as newsletters and emails, and promptly respond to volunteer inquiries. Maintain proper staffing levels based on anticipated call volumes and direct volunteers to necessary resources. Aid volunteers with technical queries related to Twilio, Rocket Chat, Okta, and troubleshoot connectivity and login issues. Collaborate on updating voting rights reference materials and conduct volunteer training. Conduct research to enhance resources addressing caller questions and update volunteer references.Monitor interactions in the Election Protection database to ensure information accuracy and identify trends. Create daily reports summarizing call data to inform Election Protection coalition activities.Identify and engage volunteers for leadership roles and assist in post-election analysis. 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 & Recording Manager, Lane County, Oregon– In Lane County, the County Clerk serves as the County’s Chief Election and Recording Official. As the Elections and Recording Manager, under the direction of the County Clerk, you will be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of both the Election and Recording offices. This role involves planning and administering all federal, state, and local elections for 300,000 registered voters in Lane County, Oregon, where all elections are conducted by mail. Key Responsibilities: Manage the day-to-day operations of the County Clerk’s Office, including: Administering all Federal, State, and local elections. Maintaining the voter registration of 300,000 active Lane County voters. Recording real property records, including indexing and document retention. Issuing marriage licenses and domestic partnerships. Coordinating civil ceremonies. Overseeing the Property Value Appeals Board process. Administering the Archives Program. Developing, administering, and monitoring the Clerk’s Office budget. Providing expert guidance to other departments, the general public, and other agencies. Salary: $78,312.00 – $115,128.00 Annually. 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.

Information Security Officer, Virginia Dept. of Elections– The Information Security Officer leads ELECT’s Information Security Program to ensure ELECT Systems remain confidential, integrity is maintained, and ELECT systems remain available for all users. Ensures ELECT systems meet federal, Commonwealth of Virginia and agency security standards. The position will work with ELECT development teams, network service providers and security staff of the Commonwealth of Virginia to ensure security requirements are included in SDLC activities. Responsible for creating and maintaining security policies, artifacts, tracking vulnerability remediation and updating system security plans to meet changing business, security, and technology requirements. Responsible for implementing and monitoring security controls for ELECT’s information technology systems. Work will involve providing solutions to secure ELECTS’s electronic information and providing technical expertise in the selection, installation, configuration, testing and implementation of security technology. Work will also involve leading the Information Systems Security program to protect electronic information from unauthorized users, intrusions, or other security threats, participating as a security subject matter expert for information technology projects, overseeing security investigations and recommending and implementing corrective actions; ensuring compliance with state and federal security regulations; and assisting with the development and delivery of ELECT’s security awareness training program. Salary: Hiring range up to $120K. Deadline: June 14. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.  

IT Assistant Manager, Palm Beach County, Florida– The Assistant IT Manager plays a supportive role in the smooth operation of the IT department, ensuring that both the technical infrastructure and the team are aligned with the organization’s goals. This position involves collaborating closely with the Election Technology Director to oversee the implementation of technology solutions that meet the needs of the organization. The Assistant IT Manager helps maintain an efficient and effective IT environment. Oversee daily operations of the IT department, including help desk operations and performance, troubleshooting issues, and ensuring efficient workflow. Hold department meetings and provide weekly performance summary. Manage IT projects under the direction of the Election Technology Director, ensuring timely completion, budget requirements, and organizational needs. Enforce IT policies and procedures to ensure data security, network access, and system availability. Assist in the management of IT staff by developing skills, coaching, and communicating job expectations. Coordinate vendor renewals, assist with IT budget development, and manage grant applications. Evaluate and assist in maintaining the organization’s disaster recovery and business continuity plans for IT. Assist with IT Public Records requests research and fulfilment. Assist the Election Technology Director in all facets of IT operations. Lead projects and mentor team members. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.  

Organizing Manager, Advocacy, Center for Tech and Civic Life–When you think about elections, you might think about popular candidates, “I voted” stickers, and all sorts of paperwork and deadlines. But behind the scenes are thousands of people in state and local governments who are working hard to make sure accurate election information is published, ballots are counted, and voices are heard. We are seeking a dedicated and experienced community organizer and advocate to help foster valuable and lasting relationships with local elections offices across the country. As CTCL’s Organizing Manager, you will implement CTCL’s nonpartisan advocacy strategy to support elections officials in administering inclusive and secure elections. The ideal candidate thrives in social environments and is eager to get out from behind a screen and into the field. You will visit small towns and major cities across the country to connect with local election administrators and their staff at association meetings, recruit and cultivate partnerships with state and national nonprofit organizations, and build relationships with government agencies to better understand how to connect elections offices with helpful information and public resources. You’ll report to the Advocacy Director and work in collaboration with other members of the CTCL team. This is a new role in a growing department that is focused on the resiliency of election infrastructure and securing public funding for local election offices. 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.

Physical Security Specialist, Palm Beach County, Florida– This position is responsible for administration of the physical security programs in a manner consistent with Supervisor of Elections Office policies, procedures, quality standards, and applicable local, state, and federal regulations. These programs include conducting facility security risk assessments, assisting with access control, monitoring alarms and CCTV systems, and providing security related training. Must be organized and personable with a great attitude, be able to work well in a team environment, and meet deadlines under pressure. Excellent work ethic, including consistent performance, integrity, reliability, and attendance, is a must. Candidate must be detail-oriented and understand the importance of security and safety for all. Must be available 24/7 365, be able to handle simultaneous projects, and be a self-starter. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here

Regional Coordinator – Observe New Mexico Elections –Observe New Mexico Elections, funded by The Carter Center, is a nonpartisan election observation effort designed to increase trust and transparency in elections. The effort is led by and for New Mexicans. Observers will be trained about relevant laws, procedures, and safeguards in New Mexico’s electoral process and will verify that those procedures are followed consistently. Nonpartisan election observers represent all voters, do not interfere in the election process, and report what they see. Observers’ findings throughout the state will be aggregated to assess the quality of elections in New Mexico. The Carter Center has led similar efforts internationally for decades and is now engaging in related efforts here at home. We are honored New Mexico was among the handful of states they selected to participate this year. Observe New Mexico Elections, a project of the Carter Center, is seeking a detail-oriented Regional Coordinator. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here. 

Registrar of Voters, San Bernardino County, California– The county of San Bernardino is seeking a visionary new registrar of voters to oversee the critical activities of the Registrar’s office with a large scope of oversight including 50+ members and an annual budget of $20M+. The Registrar of Voters will foster an environment that promotes civic participation and ensures transparent and fair elections. They will design and implement voter education programs tailored to the needs of County residents. This position requires a deep understanding of the County’s diverse demographics, its unique challenges, and the ability to implement strategies that promote voter engagement, education, and participation. The Registrar will oversee voter registration efforts, ensuring that registration processes are accessible, efficient, and in compliance with state and federal regulations. They will work closely with local community organizations, schools, and governmental entities to create outreach initiatives and workshops to increase countywide engagement. Engaging with the community is at the heart of this role. Building and maintaining strong relationships with various stakeholders, including community leaders, advocacy groups, and residents, is paramount. Organizing town hall meetings, forums, and public discussions will be essential to address concerns, gather feedback, and disseminate essential information related to voting procedures, ballot measures, and electoral reforms. By actively listening to the community’s needs and concerns, they will play a pivotal role in shaping policies and initiatives that resonate with the diverse population of San Bernardino County. This position offers a unique opportunity for development and growth within the realm of civic engagement and electoral processes. As the landscape of voting rights, technologies, and methodologies continues to evolve, staying abreast of emerging trends, best practices, and legislative changes is essential. Participating in training programs, conferences, and workshops will enhance the knowledge base, skill set, and capacity to navigate the complexities associated with administering elections in the County. Salary: $153,504-$218,004. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.

Senior Counsel, Voting Rights Program, The Brennan Center– The Brennan Center’s Voting Rights Program seeks a talented attorney to join our team working to build a robust, participatory, and inclusive democracy. Reporting to the Director of the Voting Rights Program, the attorney’s focus will be to combat voter suppression and advance pro-voter reforms at the state and federal levels. Our Voting Rights Program advocates for free, fair, and accessible elections, with special focus on the ways systemic barriers impede electoral participation by communities of color. The past ten years have seen a renewed brazen and widespread assault on the right to vote. Elected officials at the highest levels have deployed disinformation and misinformation to scapegoat communities trying to assert their rightful place in the electorate. And the Capitol attack made plain that some are even prepared to reject the use of elections as the arena to contest political differences. We meet these challenges, and others, head on. We do so with partners ranging from community-based organizations to election administrators to pro bono counsel. The Brennan Center’s methods include legal and empirical research and writing, litigation, legislative and policy advocacy, media and communications, and public education. Salary:  $145,100 – $185,800. 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 Program Associate, The Carter Center– Support the U.S. Election Project within the Democracy Program, including design and implementation of multi-faceted activities related to election reform and election observation, including partnership building, training development and implementation, budget management, fundraising, and monitoring, evaluation and learning. May conduct applied research, manage program publications, supervise consultants and interns, and other project(s) responsibilities as assigned. The Senior Program Associate will report to the Associate Director of the Democracy Program or her designee. Due to travel requirements, Hostile Environment Awareness Training (HEAT) may be required. Formal Job Description: Designs, implements, coordinates operational facets of a specific program and its related activities. Manages work plans that are designed to accomplish program goals and objectives, and implements changes for improvement and efficiency. Makes decisions on behalf of the program based on critical analyses of operational/statistical reports, financial data and budget forecasts, and outside trends and factors related to the program. May plan, administer or monitor the program’s budget, financial management, and/or grants. Takes a leadership role on program-related committees and teams. May develop fund raising initiatives, including researching and identifying funding sources and writing and submitting grant proposals. Conducts program research and ensures that mandatory operational and statistical reports are fact-based and comply with regulations. Serves as liaison with other groups and organizations participating in the program or seeking knowledge of the program, and may write and give speeches/presentations at conferences, university functions, or before various boards. May supervise staff. Ensures that complete and accurate program records are kept and maintained. Performs related responsibilities as required. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.

Senior Regional Engagements Specialist (Remote), EI-ISAC– CIS is in search of a proven, capable, confident, competent, and dynamic self-starter who is passionate about working collaboratively to achieve meaningful and lasting impacts on the security maturity of State, Local, Tribal and Territorial (SLTT) government agencies and entities, including public sector education. This position is within the Elections Infrastructure Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EI-ISAC), a division of CIS. The ideal candidate will be comfortable building and supporting relationships within an assigned region of the United States; interfacing with State Chief Information Officers (CIOs), State Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs), executive level staff, as well as technical staff and US DHS Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) partners. This position will provide exceptional service to SLTTs while expertly informing on the solutions and services that can protect their technology. The Center for Internet Security (CIS) makes the connected world a safer place for people, businesses, and governments through our core competencies of collaboration and innovation. We are a community-driven nonprofit responsible for industry leading best practices for securing IT systems and data. We lead a global community of IT professionals to continuously evolve these standards and provide products and services to proactively safeguard against emerging threats. Salary Range: $69,100 – $104,600. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here. 

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