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Election Security Update

CISA Releases Guide to Operational Security for Election Officials

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) released its “Guide to Operational Security for Election Officials.” This essential guide aims to enhance the security of election infrastructure by providing a thorough overview of operational security (OPSEC) within the election context, highlighting potential risks and offering practical mitigation measures.

Operational security is a systematic approach to identifying and protecting sensitive information, data, or capabilities within an organization.  Without robust safeguards, sensitive information can be inadvertently or deliberately exposed and exploited by threat actors, potentially impacting the ability of election workers to fulfill their duties, exposing voters’ personally identifiable information (PII) and enabling unauthorized access to internal systems and facilities.

By incorporating OPSEC principles into daily election operations and fostering a culture of security awareness, election workers can significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized disclosures while maintaining a transparent elections process and responding to public inquiries.  The guide emphases the importance of viewing data from an adversary’s perspective to holistically assess and mitigate potential threats.

“CISA provides various training programs for election workers, including secure practices, incident response planning, and de-escalation techniques.” said CISA Special Advisor to the Director for Election Security Cait Conley. “This guide is another excellent resource CISA provides the public with to keep our elections safe and secure.”

Key points from the Guide:

• OPSEC is critical for protecting election infrastructure from exposure to potential threat actors.
• Embedding OPSEC principles in daily operations helps prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information.
• Training and awareness of OPSEC principles enable election workers to understand and manage aggregated risks effectively.
• The guide provides real-world examples and mitigation activities to strengthen operational security.

To learn more, visit #Protect2024 on CISA.gov.

Election News This Week

Ballot Measure News: In Arizona, a campaign for a ballot initiative that would eliminate partisan primaries submitted signatures on July 3, 2024. Make Elections Fair, the campaign sponsoring the initiative, submitted 584,124 signatures to state officials. At least 383,923 signatures must be verified for the initiative to make the ballot. The initiative would amend the Arizona Constitution to eliminate partisan primaries and replace them with an electoral system where individuals may vote for a candidate, regardless of the voter’s or candidate’s party affiliation. It would place all primary candidates on the same ballot, regardless of political party. The amendment would allow for the state legislature to pass a law providing for how many candidates would advance from the primary to the general election. It would provide for two to five candidates to advance to the general election. Under the amendment, if implementing legislation isn’t in effect by November 1, 2025, the secretary of state would decide how many candidates will advance to the general election and the voter ranking process that would be used. Supporters of major changes to District of Columbia elections delivered more than 40,000 signatures to the Board of Elections for a ballot initiative to bring ranked-choice voting to D.C. elections and to allow registered independents to vote in primaries. If enough signatures are found to be valid, Initiative 83 would appear on the November ballot — and if voters approve it, I-83 could shake up D.C. elections. Under the proposal, the primaries would be opened up to thousands more people, and the tabulation of votes on election night would be changed. Currently, more than 70,000 registered independents can’t participate in any primaries, including the Democratic primary, which in deep-blue D.C. is often the decisive race. Meanwhile, ranked-choice voting would allow voters to rank candidates by preference, a method intended to ensure that the winner receives more than 50 percent of the vote. Members of Idahoans for Open Primaries submitted their signatures to the Idaho Secretary of State’s Office for final verification last week, with supporters feeling optimistic they would qualify their ballot initiative for the Nov. 5 general election. If it qualifies for the ballot and is approved by a simple majority of voters, the ballot initiative would end Idaho’s closed primary elections and create a ranked-choice voting system for the general election. Supporters have been gathering signatures in neighborhoods and at public events across the state since last year trying to qualify the initiative for this year’s general election. To qualify for the November election, supporters must gather signatures from at least 6% of registered voters statewide and from at least 6% of voters in at least 18 of the state’s legislative districts. To meet the statewide total, open primary supporters need about 63,000 signatures in total. Open primary supporters have already completed one round of signature verification. Sponsors of a constitutional ballot initiative that would change how elections are conducted in North Dakota failed to submit signatures to the Secretary of State’s Office by this week’s deadline for inclusion on the November ballot. The petition was approved by the Secretary of State’s Office for circulation on Sept. 27, 2023, and the measure’s sponsoring committee has one year to gather 31,164 signatures. The ballot measure would prohibit electronic voting machines and tabulators, which would cause all election results to be hand counted. Some of the other aspects of the measure would prohibit early voting or voting by mail, except for absentee ballots; drop-boxes for ballots; and ranked-choice voting. It would also require all polling locations to be open on Election Day and a two-thirds majority voting threshold in both chambers for legislative ballot measures before they are put to the voters. The measure also would empower any U.S. citizen with the ability to request an audit of the state’s election results. Organizers in Wyoming are trying to gather 29,000 signatures from across two-thirds of Wyoming’s counties to put a measure on the ballot that would require county clerks to use a hand tabulation system instead of using electronic ballot processing machines. Since the Legislature allowed for ballot measures in 1968 there have been 36 attempts since its inception, only three ballot initiatives have been successful.

Voter Education: The Philadelphia City Commissioners’ office is spending $1.4 million to hire an outside marketing firm to connect with voters and combat misinformation ahead of the November election. Commissioners chair Omar Sabir tells Axios this is the most his office has spent on a media blitz in recent years — an effort to make Philly’s more than 1 million registered voters feel secure that their voices are heard in the contentious rematch between President Biden and Trump. The nonpartisan messages will span radio, billboards and social media, Sabir says. They’ll encourage higher voter turnout, remind voters of options for casting ballots and recent changes to mail-in voting, and dispel conspiracy theories that cause people to lose faith in the integrity of the process. Commissioners issued a bid for the contract last month. The contract, running Aug. 1, 2024, to July 31, 2025, will be awarded to a firm later this month, per city records. The chosen firm will also produce training videos for election workers and handle press inquiries and other issues that arise during and after the election.

Public Opinion: New public opinion research from the Pew Research Center finds that six-in-ten Americans say any U.S. voter should have the option to vote early or absentee without having to document a reason. However, there are wide partisan divides on this question: 82% of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents say early or absentee voting should be available to any voter without the need for an excuse and 62% of Republicans and Republican leaners say these voting methods should only be available to those who have a documented reason for not voting in person on Election Day. Both early and absentee voting are far more common today than in prior decades. In the 2022 midterm election, fewer than half of voters cast their ballots in person on Election Day. And in 2020 – the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic – only about a quarter did so. Despite the greater access, Americans are now less likely to support no-excuse early or absentee voting than they were prior to the 2020 election. This is the result of shifting views among Republicans. Americans who live in states where mail-in ballots will automatically be sent to every voter this November are more likely to have a favorable view of no-excuse early or absentee voting than those who live in states where voters have to request absentee ballots.

Podcast News: If you had already checked out for your long holiday weekend on July 3, you may have missed the news that High Turnout Wide Margins now calls electionline.org home. The podcast will still be produced by KBIA. You’ll be able to find all three seasons of HTWM on electionline including the latest episode.  In this episode, hosts Eric Fey and Brianna Lennon speak with Tom Hicks, one of the longest serving members of the Election Assistance Commission, or EAC.  They spoke about Tom’s time as a commissioner, how elections can be more accessible for disabled voters, and how the EAC could play a role in developing the election administration workforce. electionline is super excited to have Eric and Brianna onboard. 

Sticker News: With just 117 days till the 2024 General Election, numerous counties and states are launching “I Voted” sticker contests. San Luis Obispo County, California, launched its first-ever “I Voted sticker contest on July 2. In Chaffee County, Colorado, residents of all ages are encouraged to submit designs for two different “I Voted” stickers. Last week marked the submission deadline for an “I Voted” sticker contest for children and adults in Johnson County, Iowa. In Michigan, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson recently announced the finalists for the first-ever statewide “I Voted” sticker contest. Voting is underway in Ulster County, New York’s latest “I Voted” sticker contest. Some of you may recall Ulster County’s 2022 “I Voted” sticker. The Tompkins County, New York Board of Elections announced the winning designs in its second-ever “I Voted” sticker contest this week, highlighting the work of Ithaca Students Ahava Sapp and Ruby LeCroy for their winning “Future Voter” and “I Voted” sticker designs respectively. Their designs received the most votes in their respective categories out of over 100 sticker design submissions from every school in the county and students at every grade level. Democratic Elections Commissioner Steve DeWitt stated, “This has been a great way to get the word out about elections. Voter turnout is important for every community, we’re lucky that in Tompkins County we will be giving out two beautiful stickers this year to those who show up to the polls.” Prince William County, Virginia’s Office of Elections announced the 2024 “I Voted” Sticker Design contest winners. The winners were selected through a ranked-choice vote with about 700 votes cast. The winning designs will be used over the next four years, with each year featuring a different sticker. The first-place design highlights the National Museum of the Marine Corps and will be used for the upcoming federal election. Eric Olsen, Director of Elections, commented on the diversity of the winning designs: “When we started this contest, I was concerned we couldn’t find one thing that could represent Prince William County. We didn’t, but that is perfect. The winning designs illustrate that PWC is not one singular thing but a community rich in attractions, history, people, and landmarks.” And in Louisiana, Secretary of State Nancy Landry announced that acclaimed Shreveport artist, writer and filmmaker William Joyce has created the design of Louisiana’s 2024 “I Voted” sticker. The sticker, featuring a crawfish dressed in patriotic garb, will be distributed to voters when they cast their ballots in the Nov. 5 presidential election .”Louisiana voters love their ‘I Voted’ stickers,” Landry said at the press conference. Joyce, a Renaissance man who has won six Emmys, an Academy Award and earned the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Society of Illustrators, is known globally for his work. His breakthrough came as the concept artist for the “Toy Story” film in the 1990s.

Personnel News: Bexar County, Texas Elections Administrator Jacque Callanen has announced that she will retire at the beginning of 2025. Jackson County Clerk Chris Walker has been elected Secretary of the Board of Advisors for the U.S. Election Assistance Commission.The Chair of the Fulton County, Georgia Board of Registration & Elections, Cathy Woolard, has resigned after being reappointed as interim in April. Rena Basch is the new Washtenaw County, Michigan clerk.  Congratulations to former Shasta County, California Clerk and Registrar of Voters Cathy Darling Allen who was named as one of The American Bar Association Task Force for American Democracy’s  Unsung Heroes of Democracy Award winners. She’s one of five election officials who got the honor this year.

In Memoriam: Carlos Cascos, a former Texas secretary of state died June 26. He was 71. Cascos, who served as the 110th Secretary of State under Gov. Greg Abbott from 2015 to 2017, died of cardiac arrest, Cameron County Justice of the Peace Linda Salazar said. “He was a very pragmatic, moderate Republican,” said Morgan Cisneros Graham, former Cameron County GOP Chair who is the operations director at Cascos’ firm, Cascos & Associates, PC, adding that he was accessible to anyone, regardless of party. “Those of us who are considered family are not the only ones who lost — everybody has, even people who have never heard of him.” Before serving as secretary of state, Cascos, a certified public accountant, had held elected office for several years. Cascos was elected Cameron County Judge in 2006 and reelected in 2010 and 2014. He also served on the Texas Public Safety Commission and as a Cameron County commissioner from 1991 through 2002. Though Cascos started out his political career in the Valley as a Democrat, he switched over to the Republican Party by the time of his nomination to be secretary of state in 2014. “He reached across party lines which I respected him for and I admired that of him,” former state Sen. Eddie Lucio Jr., D-Brownsville said.

New Research and Resources

Threats and Harassment Dataset: Born out of the political violence before, during, and after the 2020 presidential election, the Bridging Divides Initiative, hosted by Princeton SPIA’s Empirical Studies of Conflict program, set out to share knowledge, methods, and tools to better track and mitigate political violence across the country. Now, in the leadup to the 2024 election, Bridging Divides has released the Threats and Harassment Dataset — a first of its kind — that captures more than 1,000 events ranging from death threats to digital provocation against local officials. The longitudinal event-based data tracks the rate, frequency, types, and targets of threats and harassment faced by a wide range of local officials around the country, from elected officials at the municipal, county, and township levels to appointed officials, election workers, and more. The data identified four key trends: Hostility towards local officials is a national problem, though trends vary by locality. A threat or harassment event targeting a local official has been reported in nearly every state since 2022. Death threats and invasions of privacy are the top forms of hostility faced by local officials.* Death threats encompass 60% of all threats in the data set, while invasion of privacy makes up 34% of all harassment in the data set. Threats and harassment against local officials tend to rely on more anonymous methods, creating challenges for accountability, with over two-thirds of threats and harassment being delivered by a perpetrator who was not physically present at the time of targeting (sending emails, making social media posts, Zoom bombing, etc.). The ways in which threats and harassment are expressed are impacted by hot-button issues and triggering events. Perpetrators have used anti-religious language — especially antisemitic and Islamophobic rhetoric — in their targeting of officials at heightened rates since October 2023, when the Israel-Palestine conflict became a primary driver of offline mobilization.

Election Legislation: State legislators introduce thousands of bills each year, affecting how Americans vote and elections are administered. Ballotpedia’s State of Election Administration 2024 Mid-Year Report provides insights, analysis, and takeaways from the election-related bills they’ve tracked this year. The report covers election-related state legislative activity in the 46 states that had legislative sessions from Jan. 1 through June 6.  During that time, they tracked 3,735 election-related bills. In 2023, we followed 3,719 bills, and in 2022, we identified 2,505 bills. Three hundred-five of the bills they followed this year became law. Lawmakers enacted 400 bills in 2023 and 165 bills in 2022. Governors vetoed 35 election-related bills in 2024. That’s more than the number of vetoed bills in 2023 and 2022, respectively. All but five of this year’s 35 vetoes came from states with divided governments. States with Democratic trifectas considered more election-related legislation than states with Republican trifectas. However, states with Republican trifectas enacted more than three times as many new election laws as their Democratic counterparts. The report includes summaries of some of the trends we’ve seen this year and information about current state law and legislative activity across various election policy areas. 

Native American Voting Rights: A century ago, Congress granted citizenship to Native Americans, providing them the right to vote. But a new report from House Administration Committee Democrats argues that the nation has failed to keep that promise of voting rights because casting a ballot is simply too difficult in many indigenous communities. “Despite the passage of the Indian Citizenship Act of 1924, states and localities continue to deny Native peoples the full rights of U.S. citizenship, including the most fundamental right — the right to vote,” Rep. Joseph D. Morelle, D-N.Y., the committee’s ranking member, said in a statement. “Native peoples continue to face substantial and unique barriers to equal participation in federal, state, and local elections.” “Voting for Native Peoples: Barriers and Policy Solutions” lays out logistical and practical barriers to voting on tribal lands. Polling locations are few and far between in these rural areas, often requiring long car trips on dirt roads. Some voters living on the Navajo Nation, which covers large swaths of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah, trek nearly 100 miles to cast a ballot. Given indigenous poverty rates, these trips aren’t just time consuming, but can be prohibitively expensive as well. Some of the voting issues highlighted by the report are a product of the challenges of reservation life in general, including poor mail service that makes mail-in voting difficult and a lack of standardized residential addresses on some reservations that, combined with indifferent state election officials, makes registering to vote tougher. The report also takes aim at state laws that require voter identification but do not recognize tribal IDs; the failure to provide voting-related materials in indigenous languages; and electoral maps that split native communities into different districts, diluting their political strength.

Online Intimidation: In the lead-up to the 2022 U.S. midterm elections, Arizona’s chief election officer Katie Hobbs received far more harassing messages on Twitter than any of her counterparts in other states. More than 30% of all tweets directed at her, along with commentators on her posts, fell into the “most aggressive” category of attacks. That is a finding from researchers at NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Universidad del Rosario in Colombia, and the University of Murcia in Spain, in a paper published in Information Fusion that examines the phenomenon of online intimidation targeting state election administrators. The research team used a machine learning model from the Perspective API—a tool developed by Google to identify abusive online comments—to analyze nearly 600,000 tweets mentioning chief state election officials nationwide during the weeks surrounding November 8, 2022.

Legislative Updates

Federal Legislation :The House of Representatives passed a bill this week that would require individuals registering to vote to provide proof of citizenship to participate in federal elections. The legislation, passed 221-198, would also require states to check their voter rolls for registered noncitizens. The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, or SAVE, is intended to prevent noncitizens from voting. That act is already illegal, since under current U.S. law, only citizens can vote in federal elections, but the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 prohibits states from confirming citizenship status. The SAVE Act, introduced by GOP Rep. Chip Roy of Texas in May, would require most individuals to have a passport to register to vote. Only about 48% of U.S. citizens have a passport, according to State Department data. Driver’s license and tribal ID cards typically do not prove a person’s citizenship and couldn’t be used to register under the SAVE Act. Voting rights advocates have expressed concern over the SAVE Act, saying it contains many falsehoods and conspiracy theories that perpetuate extreme views. The Biden administration issued a Statement of Administration Policy against the legislation, saying there is no cause for concern about noncitizen voting and that it would only hinder the voting rights of eligible Americans. 

Michigan: Lawmakers approved reforms June 26 to how the state handles petitions for ballot initiatives. The slate of six bills — House Bills 5571–5576 — which passed through the House Elections Committee earlier this month —  were recommended by the bipartisan Board of State Canvassers after it convened a workgroup of bipartisan election lawyers and experts to examine the current petition process. State Rep. Penelope Tsernoglou (D-East Lansing) sponsored one of the bills in the package and said the legislation would secure the petition process in Michigan.  “Active civic engagement in our elections is a sign of a strong and healthy democracy,” she told her House colleagues. “All citizens deserve to make their voice heard. The petition process offers an opportunity for voters to organize and get important issues on the ballot. However, there are some bad actors that misuse this process by falsifying signatures.”Tsernoglou said the legislation will help prevent that by allowing the bipartisan Board of State Canvassers to codify the use of statistical random sampling to determine the validity of signatures. She said it would also allow canvassers to disqualify obviously fraudulent signatures and refer them to the attorney general for investigation.  “Election integrity is not a partisan issue. Our bipartisan Board of State Canvassers brought these issues to our attention and we addressed them with the bills before us today,” she said.Other changes made by the legislation include no longer requiring canvassers to check signatures against the state’s qualified voter file before disqualifying them nor having to forward a petition to a city township or clerk if it is unable to verify a signature on a petition. However, the board could still require local clerks to help determine the validity of signatures by checking them against registration records including the qualified voter file.  Additionally, the timeline for local boards of canvassers to carry out their duties would be lengthened, which Rep. Ann Bollin (R-Brighton), a former township clerk, supported.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) has signed Senate Bill 603 into law. Sponsored by state Sen. Stephanie Chang (D-Detroit), the bill will allow recounts of precincts that have a mismatch between the number of ballots and the ballots issued to voters recorded in a polling place’s log or the ballots that were tabulated. It also updates the filing fee for recounts to better account for the costs involved and clarifies that county canvassers don’t have the authority to investigate voter fraud, leaving the authority to law enforcement.Whitmer also signed Senate Bill 604, sponsored by state Sen. Jeremy Moss (D-Southfield). It changes the sentencing guidelines for certain Michigan election law violations, specifically making it a five-year felony to interfere with a recount or activities relating to a recount.

New Hampshire: Gov. Chris Sununu (R) has signed House Bill 1264 into law. Under the legislation cities and towns will be required to provide accessible voting machines for all elections after January 2025. The bill states that every municipality must “ensure that each polling place has at least one accessible voting system” during every election. And it creates a pilot program requiring the Secretary of State’s Office to share those machines with towns and cities in spring 2025. “Now those of us with vision and print disabilities will be able to vote independently and keep our votes private like everyone else,” said Jean Shriner, an activist, in a statement reacting to the signing Friday. “For me, as a blind person, it’s empowering and exciting.” Currently, the Secretary of State’s Office provides accessible voting machines to cities and towns only during federal elections – as required by federal law. That includes the September state primaries, the November general elections, and the presidential primaries. But the state does not provide the machines to cities and towns for other elections, such as town meetings. And only two New Hampshire municipalities – Concord and Exeter – currently own such machines for those elections. Both municipalities purchased the machines only after residents threatened to bring legal action against them using the Americans with Disabilities Act.

North Carolina: Voters will be asked to approve at least one constitutional amendment when they go to the polls this fall — to reaffirm the state’s citizen-only voting rules — after state lawmakers approved the proposal with broad bipartisan support June 27. The voting rights proposal wouldn’t change any rules in practice. The state constitution already says only citizens may vote, and the proposed amendment would say the same thing but with slightly different language. Supporters point to a handful of cities in other states that are letting non-citizen residents vote in local elections like for city council. That wouldn’t be possible in North Carolina, but supporters of the amendment say it’s needed regardless to send a message opposing that idea in general. Two other elections related proposed constitutional amendments failed to pass in the rushed final days of the legislative session: Literacy test repeal: Like many states, North Carolina enacted literacy test rules after Reconstruction, during the period now known as the Jim Crow era. They were abused for generations to stop Black people and other minorities from voting. The federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 outlawed literacy tests, as part of the Civil Rights Movement, but North Carolina voters chose in the 1970 elections to keep the rules anyway. The suggestion to ask voters in 2024 to repeal them passed the House unanimously Thursday, but was rejected by the Senate. Voter ID: The amendment would’ve added voter ID rules for mail-in voters to the state constitution. That’s already required by state law, but putting it in the constitution would make it harder for judges or a future legislature to undo. It passed the Senate but failed to receive a vote in the House.

In the final days of the legislative session, Rep. George Cleveland (R-Onslow) urged his colleagues to greenlight legislation that would require the State Board of Elections to establish a new system for investigating and correcting data provided by “election integrity” organizations to assist in maintenance of the state’s voter registration lists. Cleveland told members of the House Rules Committee that the state board was reluctant to rely on groups that could be discriminatory, but House Bill 1071 would require it to examine data brought forth by election integrity organizations and provide quarterly reports to the General Assembly organized by county on corrections made to the voter rolls. Patrick Gannon, spokesman for the state Board of Elections, said in an email that the State Board staff is concerned that this bill could run afoul of federal law, which requires voter list maintenance efforts to be conducted in a uniform and nondiscriminatory way. “HB 1071 appears to require the State Board to remove voters from the rolls based on lists supplied by any third party that claims to be an election integrity organization,” wrote Gannon. “Additionally, there is no definition for what sort of private organization qualifies as an “election integrity organization.” It would be difficult for the State Board to determine whether any such private organization is gathering lists of voters to remove in a uniform and nondiscriminatory way.” The Board of Elections also notes the new bill provides no new funding to expand its voter list maintenance program.

Ohio: The Senate has approved a bill that would remove elections workers’ home addresses from public records, a change the bipartisan bill’s sponsors say is a reaction to rising threats these workers receive. Senate Bill 173 — sponsored by Sens. Bill DeMora, a Columbus Democrat, and Theresa Gavarone, a Bowling Green Republican — now heads to the Ohio House, which would need to approve it before it would go to Gov. Mike DeWine for his signature for it to become law. Lawmakers broke for the summer after a marathon session on June 26 and aren’t expected back until the fall, leaving little likelihood that the law will be in effect before the November presidential election. Senators approved the bill in a 30-1 vote. It would add elections workers to a list of public officials whose personal addresses don’t appear in government records, including voter registration rolls and property records. Among those who already are on this list are police, firefighters, judges, prosecutors and some medical and social-service workers. The exemption would apply to Board of Elections members, county elections directors and full-time board of elections workers. It also would apply personally to Republican Secretary of State Frank LaRose, who has not taken a position on the bill, and his successors, as well as many staff in the Secretary of State’s Office.

Two potentially consequential election measures got their first hearing last week in the House, but it’s not clear the problems those measures seek to address are truly problems in the first place. The first proposal would require watermarks on ballots, a move that would cost millions and one that even the sponsor acknowledges no other state employs. The second establishes weekly screening of voter rolls. Any voter whose information doesn’t match up — say, from a recent move — would have to cast a provisional ballot. State Rep. Jennifer Gross, R-West Chester, compared watermarking ballots to similar security measures used for currency.Gross’ proposal however doesn’t follow the currency model with a single, uniform watermark on every ballot. Instead, her bill calls for a “unique, randomly assigned identifying image, pattern, or alphanumeric code.” The watermark in this rendering would be more like the bill’s serial number than any other security feature.State Reps. Scott Wiggam, R-Wayne County, and Beth Lear, R-Galena, want to see county boards checking their voter rolls for discrepancies on a weekly basis. Among the problems they want flagged — mismatched driver’s license numbers, social security numbers, addresses or birthdates. Under the bill, if any one of those discrepancies went unaddressed, the voter would be forced to cast a provisional ballot come election day.

Oklahoma: Following a recent sheriff’s race in Carter County that ended in a tie and force county election board to choose a winner by drawing lots, Rep. Tammy Townley, R-Ardmore, called Oklahoma’s tiebreaking rules archaic and said she intends to file a bill to give county election boards multiple options to settle a tie. Lawmakers can begin filing legislation for the next legislative session in mid-November.  “I’ve heard from many of my constituents in Carter County who are frustrated with the way this race has to be decided because of an outdated statute,” Townley said in a written statement last week. “I started working to draft the bill the same day I learned there could be a drawing.” In the instance of a tied June primary election, Townley said the state could opt to place the candidates on the August runoff ballot.

Pennsylvania: In a bipartisan effort to avert a potential crisis in certifying November’s election results, the Pennsylvania House passed a bill this week that would cement the timelines for resolving post-election legal battles and prevent delays in finalizing the state’s electoral votes. A federal law passed in 2022, the Electoral Count Reform Act, set a strict deadline for states to certify slates of presidential electors: Dec. 11. But Pennsylvania doesn’t have its own set of deadlines to meet that target, which could set the state up for a potential conflict with the federal law. “This gap poses a significant risk of missing the federally mandated deadlines for certifying presidential election results,” said Rep. Benjamin Sanchez (D-Montgomery), the bill’s prime sponsor. “Our goal with HB 2473 is to mitigate this risk and guarantee Pennsylvania’s voice is heard and respected when Congress counts the state’s electors.” If a voter, candidate, or party wants to challenge a decision of a county board of elections — such as a county’s decision whether to count certain ballots — the bill would require that courts resolve that appeal within seven days. In the event of contested presidential election results, if a party in a case wants to challenge a lower court’s decision, they have one day to appeal to the state Supreme Court. The Supreme Court must resolve the dispute no later than seven days before the presidential electors meet to cast their votes. This year, the court’s deadline would be Dec. 10, the day before the federal deadline for states to certify their slates of electors under the Electoral Count Reform Act. The bill also places requirements on the Department of State. The secretary of the commonwealth would be required to certify the state’s election results by the fifth Tuesday after the election, which also falls on Dec. 10. It would also require the secretary to notify legislative leaders if they are going to miss the federal deadline to certify the election.

Rhode Island: A number of elections-related pieces of legislation met varying fates this year.Those receiving approval included bills on audits, vote by mail and ballot measures. Lawmakers this year agreed to state elections board-generated proposals to open mail drop boxes earlier and tack on three more days for local boards of canvassers to accept mail ballot applications. Saving local election workers time and hassle is also the intent behind another new, Secretary of State-backed law that removes the requirement for voters to affiliate, or change affiliations, before participating in a party primary. The secretary of state’s backing also helped secure passage for another bill that will apply to upcoming elections, specifically, the ballot questions, which now must be written in “plain language” at an 8th-grade reading level. Also receiving approval was a bill that changed the word state to statewide in an audit law. Not getting approval this year were bills on same day voter registration and ranked choice voting. 

Legal Updates

U.S. Supreme Court: A ruling by the Supreme Court that found the president of the United States has absolute immunity from criminal prosecution for official acts would potentially legalize much of the election subversion work carried out by President Donald Trump in the lead-up to the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, election and civic groups warned. In a 6-3 decision, the court’s conservative majority ruled that presidents must be able to operate the executive branch “without undue caution” of potential criminal liability when carrying out “official acts” and that Trump is immune from criminal prosecution related to many of his actions to stay in power, including his attempt to pressure the Justice Department to aid in subverting the election.  The court’s ruling draws a distinction between “official” and “unofficial” acts, noting that unofficial acts are not covered by presidential immunity. The Supreme Court asked a lower court to resolve the question of whether Trump’s other alleged actions to keep hold of the White House, such as drumming up slates of fake electors, also fall within the bounds of his official powers — a process that means the case brought by Special Counsel Jack Smith is unlikely to be resolved before this fall’s election.  Election experts said the ruling provides unprecedented authority to the executive to deem nearly all of its actions “official acts” and thus evade prosecution, conceivably capturing most of the actions Trump and his allies took when attempting to overturn the 2020 election results. David Becker, executive director of the Center for Election Innovation and Research, called the definition and breadth of immunity granted by the Supreme Court for official presidential acts “incredibly broad, and in my mind, deeply disturbing.” “I think putting aside this particular prosecution, for any unscrupulous individual seated in the Oval Office who might lose an election, the way I read this opinion is it could be a roadmap for those seeking to stay in power,” Becker told reporters shortly after the opinion was released.

Alaska: A trial concluded last week in a case that could determine whether Alaskans get to vote later this year on keeping the state’s ranked choice voting and nonpartisan primary system. The voting system was narrowly adopted by Alaskans in a 2020 ballot initiative and first used in 2022. Shortly after, a group of conservative Alaskans launched a new ballot initiative to repeal the voting method and return to closed primaries and traditional pick-one general elections. Since then, the organizers of the repeal effort have been plagued by allegations of violating Alaska’s law concerning campaign ethics and signature collection. Supporters of Alaska’s ranked choice voting and nonpartisan primaries filed suit earlier this year alleging that the repeal initiative organizers had violated state laws by leaving signature booklets unattended, leaving them open to fraud. The lawsuit targeted the Alaska Division of Elections for certifying the ballot question despite questions about the initiative organizers’ conduct. The initiative organizers themselves joined the lawsuit as intervenors, arguing that even if there were some concerns about some unattended ballots, they were not enough to throw out the ballot petition entirely. During the six-day trial before Superior Court Judge Christina Rankin, witnesses testified about possible suspicious or questionable behavior by signature gatherers.The plaintiffs argued that 11,000 signatures should be thrown out. If the judge rules in their favor, the initiative would not meet the minimum statewide requirement nor the geographic distribution threshold.

Arizona: Days before early voting begins, GOP legislative leaders and national Republicans are asking a federal appeals court to allow laws that would block an estimated 35,000 Arizona voters from casting ballots this year. The emergency motion to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals seeks approval to let portions of two laws, passed in 2022, take effect. Those laws were blocked in May by U.S. District Court Judge Susan Bolton. Those provisions: Require documentary proof of citizenship for people who register to vote and indicate they only want to vote in federal, not state, elections; Bar these federal-only voters from voting by mail; and Remove a backstop for voters who register to vote in state elections but who do not provide proof of citizenship. While a federal judge’s ruling in the broader case on this matter is already on appeal before the 9th Circuit, the lawmakers and RNC are seeking emergency action given the upcoming elections. Arizona’s primary is July 30 and early voting begins Wednesday. Secretary of State Adrian Fontes argued in a response that making last-minute changes to election procedures that would create chaos among voters and the wider public. “Such confusion and chaos on the cusp of an election will undoubtedly cause voters to harbor doubts about our election procedures, our election officials and our elections themselves,” he stated in a declaration objecting to the emergency stay.

Secretary of State Adrian Fontes is asking a judge to dismiss a lawsuit brought by the leaders of the AZGOP and a conservative dark money group demanding the state purge at least 500,000 voters from its rolls, saying the suit is not based on reliable data. In the suit, Scot Mussi, the head of the Arizona Free Enterprise Club, and Arizona Republican Party Chairwoman Gina Swoboda claim that the state’s voter rolls are overpopulated by people who have either died or moved out of state, in violation of the federal National Voter Registration Act. The pair, who is joined by Steve Gaynor, a Republican who unsuccessfully ran for secretary of state in 2018, also say that the state has failed to develop a maintenance program to remove ineligible voters from the roll. But the data used in the suit is inconsistent and unreliable, Assistant Attorney General Kara Karlson wrote in a motion to dismiss filed on behalf of Fontes.  The Republicans claim there are “at least 500,000 registered voters” in the state who should be removed from voter rolls, and that “other reliable data sources” show “between 1,060,000 and 1,270,000 unaccounted for voters on the state rolls.” Those numbers, according to Karlson, are “so disparate that it can only mean one thing: Plaintiffs are guessing.” Additionally, the motion to dismiss claims that the state is complying with federal and state election laws, which the suit says are being flouted. In August 2023, Fontes’ office reviewed the data provided by Swoboda and compared it to state policies, finding that voter rolls were in compliance with the National Voter Registration Act. Another motion to dismiss the case has been filed by the Arizona Alliance for Retired Americans and Voto Latino, two voter advocacy groups who are seeking to intervene as defendants in the case. Those groups also claim that the suit does not have legal standing and relies on cherry-picked data. No date has been set for a hearing in the case.

Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Scott Blaney dismissed a claim by Abe Hamadeh that his constitutional rights were violated in the 2022 race for attorney general that he lost as nothing more than a too-late election challenge In an extensive ruling, Blaney said it may be that Hamadeh has valid claims about problems with the election. These include problems with printers at Maricopa County voting centers that resulted in long lines that Hamadeh argues resulted in some voters simply walking away. More to the point, Hamadeh and his legal allies at AZ Voters Rights said these dissuaded voters were more likely to have been Republicans. And that, he said, could have changed the results of the race he officially lost to Mayes by 280 votes. All that, he charged, violated his rights of equal protection and due process. And that, said attorney Ryan Heath, provides legal grounds to set aside the certified results and order Maricopa County to re-do the election. But all that, said Blaney, is legally irrelevant. “This case is actually an untimely election contest,” the judge said, no matter how it’s dressed up as a violation of constitutional rights.

Arizona’s election guidebook stifles free-speech rights and could nullify the votes of entire counties, a new lawsuit alleges. The complaint from two conservative-leaning nonprofits is the fourth legal challenge to the Elections Procedures Manual, a policy-thick document created by the Arizona Secretary of State’s office in collaboration with the 15 county elections officials. The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court on July 8, objects to two provisions of the manual on constitutional grounds: A vote nullification provision states that if a county board of supervisors refuses to certify election results by the state’s deadline to canvass results, that county’s votes will not be counted. It is a reaction to the recalcitrance of the Cochise County Board of Supervisors, where in 2022 two of the three supervisors balked at certification. Ultimately, they were ordered by a court to do their duty. A provision that would bar threatening or harrassing behavior directed at voters. The lawsuit argues the provision is overly broad and could impede First Amendment free speech rights. American Encore and the America First Policy Institute filed the lawsuit. The groups are asking a federal judge to issue an injunction to block the two provisions in the manual and to direct Secretary of State Adrian Fontes to rework those parts. The complaint names Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, as well as Governor Katie Hobbs and Attorney General Kris Mayes. 

Walter Ringfield Jr., the man accused of stealing a security key from the Maricopa County Elections Department, pleaded not guilty this week. Ringfield is accused of taking the security key while working as a temporary election worker at the Maricopa County Tabulation and Election Center. Last week, Ringfield was indicted by a state grand jury on one count of computer tampering stemming from the incident. That charge is classified as a Class 2 felony, because it deals with computer systems that are considered critical infrastructure. 

Arkansas: Progressive groups have decided to not ask the U.S. Supreme Court to weigh in on a lower court’s ruling that private groups can’t sue under a key section of the federal Voting Rights Act. The Arkansas Public Policy Panel and the Arkansas State Conference NAACP, which challenged Arkansas’ new state House districts under the law, did not file a petition by Friday’s deadline asking the high court to review the ruling by the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. John Williams, legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Arkansas, said the decision to not seek review did not signal agreement with the court ruling that the groups believe is “radically wrong.” The ACLU represents the groups in the case. Williams said they didn’t seek review because they believe there’s still a mechanism for private groups to sue under another section of federal civil rights law. “Because that still exists, there was no need to bring this up before the Supreme Court,” Williams said. The groups’ decision avoids a fight before the high court over a ruling that civil rights groups say erodes the law aimed at prohibiting racial discrimination in voting. The groups have argued last year’s ruling upends decades of precedent and would remove a key tool for voters to stand up for their rights.

Delaware: In a unanimous vote, the Delaware Supreme Court has ruled that Delawareans will retain the right to early voting and permanent voting in all primary, general, and special elections. In February, a Superior Court judge issued a surprise ruling that struck down early voting and the state’s 14-year-old permanent absentee law. The permanent absentee law passed the General Assembly unanimously, however, Attorney General Jennings immediately moved to appeal the ruling. In a 5-0 court ruling, the Court found that then-Rep. Gerald Hocker, the plaintiff in the Superior Court case, and co-plaintiff Michael Mennella, lacked standing to bring the case. “Enough of these thinly-veiled partisan attempts to suppress votes — especially of our most vulnerable citizens,” said Attorney General Jennings. “Whether you voted for me or not, this is your most fundamental right, and I promised never to stop fighting for it. I’m grateful to the Court for its ruling and for agreeing to hear this case on an expedited basis so that Delawareans know their rights going into the September and November elections.” In the last election, 56,000 Delawareans used early voting, and roughly 21,000, including veterans, the disabled, and caregivers, used permanent absentee ballots.

Hawaii: After finding that some of their claims are not yet ripe, a federal court has partially dismissed a right-wing group’s attempt to gain access to Hawaii’s voter rolls.  On June 28, a federal judge granted in part and denied in part the state’s request to dismiss a lawsuit brought by Public Interest Legal Foundation (PILF) seeking to invalidate Hawaii laws that protect voter information. PILF will have until Oct. 28 to fix deficiencies with its lawsuit, otherwise it will be dismissed for good.  PILF brought a challenge to Hawaii’s voter roll laws that require counties to maintain an electronic voter registration system with the name and district or precinct designation of every registered voter. The laws also require counties to keep any other information taken from a voter’s registration confidential.  PILF’s lawsuit also argues that the state’s policy of only providing registration data for election or government purposes violates the NVRA which requires statewide voter rolls to be accessible to the general public.The judge granted the state’s request in part, writing that PILF brought the case too early because they made an informal request to the state’s chief elections officer, but did not actually fill out a county application for voter data. Due to this, the court concluded that PILF did not suffer an injury, which would be required for PILF to have standing and allow the case to proceed.

Kentucky: Kentuckians For The Commonwealth (KFTC) has filed a lawsuit against election officials alleging the state’s process for removing voters from rolls violates federally protected voting rights. KFTC filed the lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky against Republican Secretary of State Michael Adams and the State Board of Elections, which includes Republican and Democratic members.  The complaint alleges that Kentucky’s election law, which was changed in response to the coronavirus pandemic and became permanent in 2021, violates the National Voter Registration Act of 1993. KFTC says the federal act requires registered voters who have moved to receive notice in writing to confirm their address and have time to respond before they are removed from voter rolls. Kentucky’s law “flagrantly violates these requirements,” KFTC argues, by not giving voters notice before removal.  Adams issued a statement saying he plans to defend the law in court. The 2021 changes, known as House Bill 574, were signed into law by Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear. Adams said that undoing the law during a presidential election year would “sow chaos and doubt.” “Kentucky’s elections are a national success story,” Adams said. “Three years ago, Kentucky enacted a bipartisan law to prevent voting in more than one state in a presidential election. Now that a presidential election is underway, a fringe left-wing activist group is trying to undo that law and sow chaos and doubt in our elections. We believe voters should vote in only one state, and we expect to prevail in court.” In addition to the removal process, the 2021 state law also has provisions for no-excuse in-person early voting and updates to regulations for absentee ballots.

Louisiana: Hundreds, if not thousands, of people with disabilities across Louisiana will be hurt by new voting laws recently approved by Governor Jeff Landry (R), a nonprofit says in a lawsuit filed this week. Disability Rights Louisiana, an advocacy group that provides legal and other support to disabled citizens, say in a complaint filed in federal court that the new voting laws will disenfranchise disabled Louisianans and warns that the new laws will “threaten criminal liability for those who seek to assist them with voting.” An estimated one in three people in Louisiana have a disability that might prevent them from going in person to the polls, the group says in its complaint. This amounts to more than 1.1 million people statewide. New restrictions will criminalize vital parts of the election process and will prevent people from voting, Disability Rights Louisiana says. The group is seeking an injunction to stop the new laws before they go into effect. Two laws are slated to take effect Aug. 1 of this year, and two others are set to go into effect on July 1, 2025. Disability Rights Louisiana says that many people who have a disability tend to rely on absentee voting due to mobility issues and limited transportation. Additionally, many disabled people, especially the elderly, live in residential institutions and can only vote by absentee ballot.

Michigan: Macomb County Circuit Judge Edward Servitto has ruled in favor of 16 community clerks and the Michigan Secretary of State in a Freedom of Act Information lawsuit regarding the request for “voter history extract files” from electronic pollbooks. Servitto ruled SOS Jocelyn Benson and the local clerks properly responded to the FOIA request by Michael Butz, a county resident, by providing what it could but could not provide the information requested without also revealing private voter information and property information about the software. The information sought was from the November 2022 and May 2023 elections. “There is no evidence that each city and township defendant could produce the requested records in the formats requested by Plaintiff without disclosing exempt information or the software design of the EPBs (electronic poll books),” Servitto said. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessell, who defended Benson and the clerks, applauded the ruling in a news release. “I am grateful that the Court reaffirmed Secretary Benson’s authority to safeguard Michigan election records and to provide public data without compromising private, sensitive information,” Nessel said in the release. “My office will always protect election security against those who have a blatant disregard for voter privacy.”

Election officials are urging the state’s highest court to overturn a decision in favor of an election worker who was charged with committing fraud in the 2022 primary election. A previous ruling had found James Holkeboer, a Kent County election inspector, violated state election law when he inserted a personal USB flash drive into an electronic poll book with the intent to download the names of voters. In April, the Michigan Court of Appeals dismissed the original charges after concluding that none of the original files that Holkeboer had copied were damaged or destroyed in any way. “The act of copying a list of voters without affecting the integrity of the document or election is not, at least at present, prohibited,” stated the appeal’s court opinion. Now, a bipartisan group of 28 state election officials are asking the Michigan Supreme Court to review the decision. “What if someone inserted a thumb drive, and it has a virus on it? And then suddenly, no other voters can be registered or can be marked as voting in the precinct,” said Lansing Clerk Chris Swope, who has joined other clerks in filing an amicus brief.

Andrew Nickels, 38, of Caramel, Indiana was sentenced this week to 14 months in prison for threatening an election worker in Michigan in the days following the 2020 presidential election, the U.S. Department of Justice reports. Nickels called a clerk in Michigan on Nov. 10, 2020, and left a voicemail that included death threats against the worker and the worker’s family. Nickels pleaded guilty on Feb. 27 to one count of making a threatening interstate communication. The FBI Detroit Field Office investigated the case.

Minnesota: A state oversight board reprimanded a judge who last year declared unconstitutional a new state law restoring voting rights for people convicted of felonies. The Minnesota Board on Judicial Standards publicly reprimanded Mille Lacs County District Judge Matthew Quinn for making an unprompted ruling on the law’s constitutionality. The law, which took effect last year, says people with felony convictions regain the right to vote after they have completed any prison term. Quinn ruled the law was unconstitutional in a pair of orders in which he sentenced two offenders to probation, but warned them they were not eligible to vote or to register to vote — even though the law says they were. It was an unusual step because nobody involved in those cases ever asked him to rule on the constitutionality of the law. The Minnesota Court of Appeals found Quinn had no authority to rule on the law and undid his efforts to strip voting rights away from several people. The Judicial Standards Board found that Quinn broke a number of ethical rules by not acting in accordance with the law.

Mississippi: A federal court has ordered that Mississippi’s legislative districts must be redrawn in several areas because Black voting power has been diluted. The United States Court for the Southern District of Mississippi ruled in favor of the state conference of the NAACP over the Mississippi Election Commission, affirming an argument that the state has violated section 2 of the U.S. Voting Rights Act after the state redistricted the legislative boundaries in 2022. “The court rightly held that the Mississippi Legislature used the redistricting process to dilute the power of Black voters,” Mississippi ACLU Executive Director Jarvis Dortch said. “Those legislative districts denied Black Mississippians an equal voice in state government.” Those violations amounted to a loss of Black voting strength, and the court has now directed the state to create a new Black-majority Senate district in areas around DeSoto County and around Hattiesburg. The court also demands a new Black-majority House district in Chickasaw and Monroe counties. The ruling states it is the wish of the court that the state does this before the 2025 legislative session, which begins in January.

U.S. District Judge Louis Guirola in Gulfport heard arguments this week and appeared undecided over whether he should strike down a Mississippi election law that allows election officials to process mail-in absentee ballots up to five days after an election. The state Libertarian Party, the state and national Republican parties and a county election commissioner are the plaintiffs in the suit. They contend the state law runs afoul of federal election statutes because only Congress should set federal election schedules. Secretary of State Michael Watson’s office, who oversees the agency that administers elections, is the defendant in the suit. His office argues the state law does not conflict with federal regulations and that the political parties have not shown that it diminishes their chances of winning an election. 

Montana: Thousands of signatures for constitutional initiatives are in legal limbo after the secretary of state last week abruptly changed the standard for determining which voters are eligible to sign a ballot petition.  The move to not permit signatures from voters listed as “inactive” comes as county election administrators around Montana are vetting stacks of signed petitions submitted by the sponsors of three distinct proposals that could appear on the November ballot: CI-126 and CI-127, which deal with statewide election reform, and CI-128, which would enshrine abortion rights in the Montana Constitution.  The groups behind those proposals, Montanans for Election Reform and Montanans Securing Reproductive Rights (MSRR), challenged the change this week in a lawsuit against Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen filed in a state district court in Helena. “To exercise their right to propose a constitutional amendment, plaintiffs are required to submit 60,359 verified signatures. But by effectively forcing county election administrators to reject signatures from voters marked ‘inactive,’ the Secretary has impeded Plaintiffs’ ability to reach that threshold, threatening their right to place CI-126, CI-127, and CI-128 on the ballot in November, causing injury and harm,” attorneys for the plaintiff groups wrote in the filing. “For these reasons, the inactive voter guidance violates Montanans’ right to propose constitutional amendments by initiative.” In their complaint, the groups asked the court to bar Jacobsen from enforcing the new interpretation and direct her office to immediately restore the signatures already rejected from inactive voters.

Oklahoma: A former Oklahoma County Election Board alternate is suing the Oklahoma State Election Board after it alleged she made false claims. Jenni White was fired from her alternate position on the Oklahoma County Election Board in February after questioning the absentee ballot counting process. Former member Cheryl Williams was also removed.  In a suit filed June 19, White is seeking damages in a jury trial. Mark Hammons, Sr., an attorney specializing in employment law, is representing White. The suit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District. Defendants are State Election Board Secretary Paul Ziriax and members Heather Mahieu Cline, Tim Mauldin and Mignon Lambley.  White said she decided to sue because a board member should not be able to “smear the reputation” of another member because “they don’t like being challenged.” The board accused White of failure to perform duties prescribed by law; dissemination of false information about Oklahoma’s election system and procedures; failure to immediately remove false information from the public domain; lack of respectfulness and professionalism; and behavior unbecoming of an Oklahoma election official, according to Jan. 31 meeting minutes.

Pennsylvania: Washington County’s Board of Elections allegedly mishandled mail-in ballots during the April primary and withheld information from 259 voters, leaving them unable to correct the errors before Election Day, according to a lawsuit filed by American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania and local advocacy groups. “The board’s decision to conceal the true status of returned mail ballots with minor but disqualifying errors resulted in needless disenfranchisement,” ACLU-PA legal director Witold Walczak said. “No government official or agency should knowingly disenfranchise its voters.” The ballots, which were from both Republican and Democratic voters, were not counted in the April primary, according to the lawsuit. Several of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit are voters who say their ballots were rejected for errors on the ballot’s outer “declaration” envelope, such as for writing an “incomplete date,” or failing to sign and date the envelope in the correct place.  Had county officials correctly coded the rejected mail-in ballots into the state’s SURE ballot tracking database, the suit alleges, the voters would have been notified their ballots had been rejected, and could have voted by provisional ballot. Instead, the suit alleges, Washington County elections officials “determined which mail-in ballots would not be counted, and then implemented a systematic process to keep that information from voters and the public, in many cases affirmatively misleading voters into thinking that their mail-in ballots would be counted.”

Tennessee: Tennessee won’t have to implement any changes to how people with felony convictions can register to vote ahead of this year’s state and federal elections after three judges on the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals issued an injunction. U.S. District Judge William Campbell ruled in June that Tennessee officials violated federal voting law by requiring formerly incarcerated felons to provide additional proof to have their voting rights restored. The Sixth Circuit’s decision, issued on June 28, temporarily blocks Campbell’s ruling, saying it required changes to the election too close to August state primary elections. The court also indicated that the state is likely to succeed in its appeal as the judges questioned whether the Tennessee NAACP had the proper standing to file the suit in the first place. The NAACP filed a lawsuit against state officials in 2020, challenging the extensive requirements for people with felony convictions to regain the right to vote after being released from prison. Tennessee law strips a convicted felon of their voting rights, but a formerly incarcerated individual can petition to have those rights restored through a complicated process that requires them to show proof they paid all their court fines and fees.

Utah: Colby Jenkins filed a lawsuit against Washington County Clerk-Auditor Ryan Sullivan, claiming his campaign was not given a copy of the uncured ballot list as required by Utah Code. The lawsuit states that in Utah, every ballot returned by mail or via a ballot drop box must be checked to ensure the signature on the envelope matches the signature in the voter registration records. If a poll worker determines the signature is not “reasonably consistent,” the law requires the poll worker reject the ballot, contact the voter to tell them their signature is being questioned, and let them know how they can “cure” their ballot so it can be counted.Despite applauding Jenkins’ campaign for raising the issue, a judge in Utah’s Fifth District Court in St. George rejected the Republican candidate’s request to force the Washington County clerk to release the “uncured” list. Judge Jay Winward Washington County Clerk Ryan Sullivan interpreted and applied Utah election law correctly — and agreed that it’s at the clerk’s discretion whether to release the list of uncured ballots. Sullivan last week said he declined to release the list as a matter of voter privacy. “That’s how I interpret it,” the judge said at the conclusion of Monday’s hearing at the Fifth District Courthouse in St. George. “It’s very clear to me that this is how it’s supposed to occur.” However, Winward also praised Jenkins’ attorneys for their arguments, adding he was “grateful” that the campaign brought the issue to court. He said it highlighted a potential opportunity for the Utah Legislature to clarify or strengthen Utah law in circumstances of extremely tight elections.

Virginia: Peter Alexander, who lost the Republican nomination for the Ward IV council seat in Lynchburg to Chris Faraldi by just 33 votes, has filed a lawsuit to invalidate the results. In the suit, Alexander alleges that 125 absentee ballots were received by the Lynchburg registrar’s office, but that records don’t show they were counted. It cites records from the Virginia Department of Elections, which are attached to the suit and detail the status of every ballot cast. The votes in this batch had a status of “marked,” meaning that they had been received in a timely manner, but that status was never updated to confirm whether those ballots were processed and counted.William Hurd, attorney for Alexander, said there’s a “disturbing irregularity” in the ballot records. “That could be an error in recordkeeping. It could be a failure to actually process the ballots,” Hurd said. “But looking at the records themselves, the ballots, what the records say … the ballots were not processed.” The registrar’s office issued a statement saying “we remain confident that every lawful vote was counted in the June 18, 2024 primary election held by each party. We respect and welcome the review process and we stand ready to assist the Lynchburg Circuit Court in its adjudication.” 

Wisconsin: Voters in Wisconsin once again have the option to return absentee ballots via drop box, Wisconsin’s Supreme Court has ruled. The 4-3 decision reverses a near-total ban on ballot drop boxes, which was handed down by the state’s high court two years before. A majority of justices agreed earlier this year to hear a challenge from the progressive group Priorities USA, seeking to overturn the drop box prohibition. The decision makes it easier for Wisconsinites to vote, by reinstating a “convenient and reliable option,” said attorney David Fox, who argued the case on behalf of Priorities USA. “If you put the ballot in the mail, you don’t know when it’ll get delivered, and voters worry about whether it will get delivered in time and whether it will be counted,” said Fox of the Elias Law Group. “But, if you put it in a drop box by the deadline, you know that it’s going straight to election officials and it will be counted.” Conservatives on the court opposed taking up the case, citing the legal principle that compels courts to honor precedent.

Republican legislators  appealed a ruling that allows disabled people to download absentee ballots at home in November’s presidential election. Disability Rights Wisconsin the League of Women Voters and four disabled voters sued in April demanding disabled people be allowed to download absentee ballots at home and return them to local clerks via email this fall. Currently in Wisconsin anyone can cast a paper absentee ballot but they must return them in-person to local election clerks or mail them back. Anyone could request an absentee ballot electronically until 2011, when then-Gov. Scott Walker signed a Republican-authored bill that allowed only military and overseas voters to use that method. Those voters still must mail their ballots back just like in-state absentee voters. The plaintiffs argued in their lawsuit that many people with disabilities can’t cast paper ballots without assistance, compromising their right to cast a secret ballot, and struggle to return ballots through the mail or in-person. The lawsuit seeks a ruling allowing disabled people to download absentee ballots, cast them at home using assistive devices and return them to clerks via email in the Aug. 13 primary and the November presidential election. Dane County Circuit Judge Everett Mitchell granted a temporary injunction on Tuesday that allows clerks to send voters who self-certify that they can’t read or mark a paper ballot without help ballots electronically in the November election. They will still have to return the ballots in-person or by mail, however. GOP legislators filed notice of appeal June 28 in the 2nd District Court of Appeals in Waukesha, which leans heavily Republican. The lawmakers indicated that they plan to argue that Mitchell improperly granted the injunction because the plaintiffs are unlikely to win the lawsuit and failed to show they’d suffer irreparable harm without the order. They also plan to argue that Mitchell wrongly disrupted the status quo just months before the election.

Analysis and Opinions This Week

National Opinions: 26th Amendment | Voting equipment | Indigenous voters | Democracy | Threats, II | Disinformation | Vote by mail | Election integrity | Results | Artificial intelligence | Election violence | Poll workers

Alaska: Ranked choice voting 

Arizona: Disinformation

California: San Luis Obispo County 

Florida: Collier County | Primary system 

Georgia: Certification | Get out the vote | Voter eligibility    

Michigan: Election preparation

Mississippi: Fair elections 

New Mexico: Indigenous voters 

Ohio: Election security | Ranked choice voting 

Oregon: Ranked choice voting 

Pennsylvania: Lancaster County  

South Dakota: Lawrence County 

Texas: Bexar County

U. S. Virgin Islands: Transparency

Utah: Confidence in elections, II 

Virginia: Disputed elections | Ranked choice voting 

Washington: Election security 

Wisconsin: Misinformation | Drop boxes

Wyoming: Ballot counting 

Upcoming Events

Ballot Battles: A Book Event (and Live Podcast Episode of “The Voting Booth”) with Edward B. Foley: In 2016, the Ohio State University’s Edward B. Foley explored the history of election controversies in the United States in Ballot Battles: The History of Disputed Elections in the United States. Following several subsequent election controversies—most notably the January 6 attack on the Capitol after the 2020 presidential election—he has written a revised and expanded version of Ballot Battles. While the United States has made substantial progress in expanding and strengthening democracy throughout its history, Mr. Foley argues that the structure of American elections remains a point of vulnerability. Join The Voting Booth cohosts John C. Fortier and Donald Palmer for a live podcast episode with Mr. Foley to discuss the new and expanded edition of Ballot Battles. When: July 15, 10am Eastern. Where: Washington, DC and online

Arizona and Pennsylvania’s top officials on election security, disinformation and threats to democracy: Across the nation, election officials are preparing to prevent disruptions of the 2024 vote amidst continuing false claims about the results from 2020. On Tuesday, July 16 at 1:00 p.m. ET, Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes (D) and Pennsylvania Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt (R) join Washington Post Live for a bipartisan conversation about the state of election security, fears about political violence and the rise of disinformation. When: July 16, 1pm Eastern. Where: Online

Combating Misinformation and Disinformation with Free Markets and Free Speech: Though purveyors of misinformation and disinformation have proliferated and the problem keeps growing, solutions are proving elusive. A little-known aspect in the fight against misinformation and disinformation is the growing number of technology startups that are attacking the prevalence of fake news, conspiracy theories, and other false information. These firms are innovative, scrappy, nimble, and able to mitigate misinformation and disinformation in different and interesting ways. Meanwhile, another aspect of misinformation and disinformation is the need to stick to free speech principles. “Wrong” or “unpopular” speech is protected by the First Amendment. While we continue to worry about more misinformation and disinformation, especially in an election year, people still have freedom to express their views without government interference. We will take a look at how social media platforms are patrolling their content and how First Amendment concerns can be appropriately considered. Please join R Street to hear from those engaged in the battle to conquer misinformation and disinformation. Speakers will share stories centered around building entrepreneurial solutions and protecting free speech. When: July 17, 6pm Eastern. Where: Washington, DC

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

Fix the Insurrection Act: A law last updated 150 years ago gives presidents dangerous authority to use the U.S. military as a domestic police force. The Insurrection Act has virtually no limits on when and how this power can be used, making it a loaded weapon in the hands of any leader, Democrat or Republican, who is tempted to abuse it. Without urgent reforms, the law is a threat to civil liberties — and American democracy. Join The Brennan Center  for a live virtual event moderated by Elizabeth Goitein, senior director of the Brennan Center Liberty & National Security Program, featuring lawyer and writer Hawa Allan, Harvard law professor Jack Goldsmith, and Brennan Center counsel Joseph Nunn. The panel will shed light on a president’s alarming powers under the Insurrection Act and examine possible solutions to prevent the law’s misuse. Speakers: Hawa Allan, Author, Insurrection: Rebellion, Civil Rights, and the Paradoxical State of Black Citizenship; Jack Goldsmith, Learned Hand Professor of Law, Harvard Law School; Joseph Nunn, Counsel, Brennan Center Liberty & National Security Program; and Moderator: Elizabeth Goitein, Senior Director, Brennan Center Liberty & National Security Program. When: July 25, 3pm Eastern. Where: Online

National Poll Worker Recruitment Day: The U.S. Election Assistance Commission’s fourth annual National Poll Worker Recruitment Day will be held on Thursday, August 1, 2024! State and local election officials, civic organizations, and others can use this national awareness day to encourage Americans to sign up to become poll workers in their communities for upcoming elections. To help participate in this day, the EAC has created a customizable social media toolkit for election officials. The toolkit is easily editable to meet the needs of your jurisdiction or organization. The sample posts are sized for X, Facebook, and Instagram, but can be used for printed materials, websites, and more.  With the increasing popularity of videos on social media, you can now even make a short video using this toolkit. Also new this year is a template for outreach to community partners who can help increase the reach of recruitment efforts. The EAC also offers a Poll Worker Recruitment Lookup Tool to help people interested in signing up to be poll workers find information for their local election offices. When: August 1. Where: Everywhere! 

Data & Democracy Workshops: In today’s data-driven world, Geographic Information Science and Technology (GIST) can be a vital tool for fostering voter turnout and strengthening democracy. This August, the Spatial Analytics and Visualization Institute (SAVI), an official SJSU Campus Institute in the California State University system is offering a special virtual workshop series to empower election officials, policy professionals and researchers to pursue data-driven projects that support free and fair elections. The Data & Democracy Workshop series will be taught by expert SAVI faculty. The six workshops will take place across three Saturdays: August 10, 17 and 24. Each workshop includes a lecture, a lab session and a hands-on exercise. Participants will earn badges by completing individual workshops, or a certificate of completion for completing all six. Participants will explore how Python, R and open source GIST skills can unlock the power of data analysis and visualization in the design and administration of elections, defending democracy in November 2024 and beyond. When: August 10, 17 & 24. Where: Online

Election Center Annual Conference: The Election Center National Conference will be convening at the Marriott Renaissance Center. CERA Class Dates: Saturday, Sept 7 – Sunday, Sept 8, 2024. Committee Meetings and Evening Reception: Sunday, Sept 8, 2024. Conference Dates: Monday, Sept 9 – Tuesday, Sept 10, 2024. Optional Tour: Detroit Election Facilities – Wednesday, Sept 11, 2024. We will honor the winners of the Election Center’s acclaimed Professional Practices Papers’ Program on Tuesday, Sept 10. All of the 2024 best practices submissions will be posted on the Election Center website post conference. Help us celebrate the 2024 CERA/CERV graduates at the graduation ceremony and hosted luncheon on Tuesday, Sept 10. The Vendor educational exhibits featuring elections suppliers and manufacturers will be available beginning Sunday and continuing through Tuesday. The room block at the Marriott Renaissance Center will sell out quickly so do not delay in making hotel reservations. Additional information can be found on the registration page. One night deposit required. When: Sept. 7-11. Where Detroit

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.

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. 

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 Administrator, Johnson County, Texas– Performs and manages all duties in accordance with Section 31.043, 31.044, 31.045 of the Texas Election Code, shall perform the duties and functions of the Voter Registrar: performs election-related duties that the law requires to be handled by the County Clerk in Counties where there is no Elections Administrator. Supervises staff, which includes prioritizing and assigning work; conducting performance evaluations; ensuring staff is trained; ensuring employees follow policies and procedures; maintaining a healthy and safe working environment; and, making hiring, termination, and disciplinary recommendations. Directs the activities of the department, which includes planning, coordinating, administering, and evaluating programs, projects, processes, procedures, systems, standards, and/or service offerings; ensures compliance with federal, state, and local laws, regulations, codes, and/or standards. Makes Elections preparations following guidelines and laws from the Secretary of State, Texas Ethics Commission pertaining to elections and the Department of Justice. Implements election laws and procedures as necessary; develops written procedures and policies; monitors existing procedures for compliance with state and federal laws; maintains files of all laws and updates pertaining to elections. Serves as the custodian of election records and filing agent for Candidate and Officeholder Title 15 reports. Manages the County’s Voter Registration Department. Assists the public with general information pertaining to elections and voter registration. Assists political party chairs in matters related to elections. Organize and conduct elections for the county and surrounding districts as contracted. Attends the Secretary of State Election/Voter Registration Law Seminars.Attends Commissioner’s Court for matters concerning Elections/Voter Registration Department. Salary: Up to $100K. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here. 

Elections Clerk, Part-time, Karnes County, Texas– This position requires a flexible schedule and will report to the Elections Administrator.  The applicant must be able to work various hours during election season and not take off work during election season.   Requires some 13-hour workdays on voting days and also some weekend hours.  Previous Elections experience is preferred.  Responsible for the election polling location preparation of election supplies and voting equipment. Delivery of supplies and equipment and set up of the polling locations.   Skilled in use of Microsoft programs.  Must have own vehicle and driver’s license.  Must be able to lift and carry 30 lbs. Salary: Pay: $20,000 – Hourly: $19.23. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here. 

Elections Coordinator, Kaufman County, Texas– The Elections Coordinator position plays a pivotal role in our operations, coordinating and supervising the daily operations and overseeing the productivity and quality of the work done by the elections staff. Receive and process applications for ballot by mail and maintain all such records. Assist Elections Administrator in preparation and conduct of county elections and early voting. Required to work compensatory time on election night to report election results to Secretary of State’s Office. Also required to work Saturday and/or Sunday during extended Early Voting hours. Responsible for assisting with the preparation of each election, including ordering ballots and other supplies; preparing electronic poll books; conducting voting schools for all election judges annually; hiring presiding and alternate judges appointed by the Commissioners’ Court. Responsible for providing unofficial election results on election night, reporting to Secretary of State on election night and after canvass, and providing results to IT Department for website posting. Assist the public in person, by telephone, and by mail concerning department information, researching records, filling out forms, and resolving relevant problems. Receive and distribute PPE (Personal Protection Equipment) to judges and clerks. As the Elections Coordinator, you will be responsible for creating and maintaining complex database files for all elections conducted by the department. You will also coordinate and establish the use of the polling locations and the placement of election officials for each election. In addition, you will oversee compensating election officials and customizing and procuring specific procedures, equipment, and materials for them. Your role may also involve handling difficult problems, developing and documenting programs/curriculum, monitoring work unit resources, and ensuring compliance with policies and laws. You will play a key role in the process of Federal, State, and local elections pursuant to the Texas Election Code, which includes tasks such as preparing ballot formats, ordering and furnishing election equipment and supplies, preparing election returns for canvassing, and filing all reports for the Secretary of State. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not explicitly spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were written out in this job description. Salary: $52,769 – $52,869. Deadline: Aug. 10. Application: For the complete 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.

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 fulfillment. 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. 

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 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. 

Marketplace

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