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Election News This Week

Citizenship Update: According to The New York Times, an initial review of the voter data provided to the U.S. Department of Justice shows no widespread voter fraud. Out of 49.5 million voter registrations that have been checked, the department referred around 10,000 cases to Homeland Security Investigations for further investigation of noncitizenship, or roughly .02 percent of the names processed, according to Matthew Tragesser, a spokesman for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the D.H.S. agency that oversees the program. A Justice Department spokeswoman also said the administration believed around 10,000 registered noncitizen voters had been found. They did not specify how many of those people had voted. And according to the Times, even that number could be inflated. The verification tool has mistakenly flagged some people who appear to actually be citizens, according to some local election officials. St. Louis County, Missouri found that around 35 percent of roughly 690 people initially flagged by the SAVE tool were registered at naturalization ceremonies, said Rick Stream, the Republican election director for the county. This week, two more states–Alabama and Montana–reported finding less than 60 registered voters, combined, who may be noncitizens on their rolls. And Bolts Magazine has the story about a handful of American Samoan residents living in Alaska who are now facing prosecution for registering and voting in local elections. American Samoa is the only U.S. state or territory where people are born without automatic citizenship, and without the right to vote in state, federal, and most local elections anywhere outside of American Samoa. Even though they pay taxes, owe “allegiance” by law to the United States, and can join or be drafted into the military non-citizen American Samoan nationals cannot register to vote, run for office, serve on juries, or hold any job requiring citizenship. As non-citizen nationals, they exist in a formal underclass of democracy.

News From NASS: The National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) announced the continuation of its landmark, nonpartisan initiative: #TrustedInfo2026. This effort highlights state and local election officials as the nation’s most reliable sources for election information. The #TrustedInfo2026 initiative strengthens voter confidence by directing the public to election officials, including the nearly 40 NASS members who serve as their state’s Chief Election Official. Election officials work year-round to ensure voters understand the safeguards built into every phase of the election process, from voter registration and ballot casting to post-election audits and certification. “When voters turn to election officials for accurate and reliable information, they gain a clearer understanding of the elections process and greater confidence in the integrity of our democracy,” said Michael Watson, NASS President and Mississippi Secretary of State. “I encourage all Americans to prepare for this year’s mid-term elections by joining NASS and its members in supporting our #TrustedInfo2026 effort.” Since its launch in November 2019, the #TrustedInfo initiative has earned recognition and support from a wide range of nonprofit, private-sector, and government organizations. “We want to ensure voters have access to the most accurate, timely information they need to participate in our democracy,” said Steve Hobbs, NASS President-Elect and Washington Secretary of State. “The public can support this effort by sharing election information only from trusted sources and promoting #TrustedInfo2026 within their own communities and networks.”

Clearie Awards: The U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) recently opened the submission period for the 10th annual Clearinghouse Awards, also known as “The Clearies.” This national award program recognizes the exceptional and innovative work of election offices across the country during the 2025 election cycle and their invaluable role in the foundation of U.S. election infrastructure.Programs are judged on creativity and innovation, cost-effectiveness, replicability, and impact by a committee of peers. Any program used in an election can be submitted for consideration, and election jurisdictions of all sizes are encouraged to participate. This year, the EAC is introducing a new category to highlight service to assist military and overseas voters. All entries must be received by February 20, 2026, with the honorees to be announced in the spring. Visit eac.gov/clearies to view all of the submission guidelines. All entries and accompanying materials must be submitted through the EAC’s online form.  The 2025 Clearies Award categories are: 

• Accessibility: Best Practices for Improving Accessibility for Voters with Disabilities       
• Communications: Distinguished Voter Education and Communications Initiatives
• Contingency Planning: Exemplary Contingency Planning and Emergency Response Efforts
• Election Administration: Innovations or New Practices in Election Administration 
• Help America Vote Act (HAVA) Grants: Outstanding Use of HAVA Grants in Elections Modernization
• Poll Workers: Best Practices in Recruiting, Retaining, and Training Poll Workers
• Security: Innovation and New Tools in Election Security and Technology
• NEW – Uniformed and Overseas Voters: Exemplary Service to Assist Military and Overseas Voters
• “I Voted” Stickers: Creative and Original “I Voted” Stickers

In celebration of 10 years of the Clearinghouse Awards, the EAC is showcasing previous winners in a new blog series. More information on the contest and previous Clearies winners can be found at [eac.gov/clearies]eac.gov/clearies. Please send any questions to the EAC at clearies@eac.gov.

Did Someone Say Enchiladas?: As part of Axios’ running feature about Austin, Texas chefs’ favorite meals, they recently caught up with David Muñoz, executive chef at Henry’s, located in the new Inn at Green Pastures. A native of Fort Worth, Muñoz, 35, has been cooking at Green Pastures for nearly a decade, rising to executive chef in 2024. One question posed to Muñoz: You’re on a desert island. What’s the one dish you’d like with you? “My mother’s Election Night enchiladas. We got them every four years — beef cheek enchiladas, braised in red guajillo sauce, with Oaxacan cheese, rice and beans. My father was usually pretty involved in election cycles, as an election judge at the polls, so it was always a huge deal for us. We had a huge spread, and we’d go from morning menudo or pozole till dad got home after he finished the results.” Do you have any Election Day/Night recipes or food traditions? Please share them with electionline (mmoretti@electionline.org) and we’ll post a round up of them as we get closer to Election Day 2026. 

Sticker News: The Mesa County, Colorado Elections office announced the winners of its third annual “I Voted” sticker contest featuring artwork from local students in grades 1 through 12. The contest had record-breaking participation, with more than 175 submissions, compared with about 90 entries last year. A panel of election judges narrowed down this year’s entries to the top 32 finalists, then the public voted to select four winners. The winners include two fourth-grade students, Alayna Labrum and Rhett Behrman; eighth-grader Jacob Walden; and ninth-grader Amora Wilson. Officials with the elections office said they were excited to see the number of students participating increase, especially at the high school level. “This is the first year high school has really participated. We got a good turnout, before we’d only get one or two. So super excited about high school joining in on the competition and the civic engagement,” Bobbie Gross, Mesa County clerk and recorder, said. Lancaster County, Nebraska Election Commissioner Todd Wiltgen announced the winning entries of the inaugural “I Voted” and “Future Voter” sticker contest. Wiltgen expressed gratitude to all artists who submitted designs. The stickers will debut with the May 12, 2026, Primary Election. Voters will receive the “I Voted” sticker upon returning their ballots, while children accompanying voting adults will receive “Future Voter” stickers. Both designs will also be available at the Election Commission Office starting April 13, when early voting begins.

Personnel News: Geauga County, Ohio Board of Elections Director Michelle Lane marked her final day in office December 2025, closing the book on a 21-year career that took her from volunteer poll worker to overseeing some of the county’s most challenging elections. Mike Evans is the new Burnet County, Texas elections administrator. Diane Bartlett is the new Ripon, Wisconsin clerk. Fulton County Commissioner Dana Barrett has announced her candidacy for Georgia secretary of state. Former Santa Monica, California City Clerk Denise Anderson-Warren will assume her old post on an interim basis while the City embarks on a nationwide search for a permanent replacement. Escambia County, Florida Chief Deputy Supervisor of Elections Sonya Daniel has retired. Dave Davis has retired as the Pitt County, North Carolina director of elections. Janet Turner is the new Pitt County, North Carolina director of elections. Michigan Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist has dropped his gubernatorial bid and will instead seek the Democratic nomination for secretary of state. Eric Bryant has been appointed to the Maryland State Board of Elections.

Ballot Measures, Legislation & Rulemaking

Arizona: The Senate Elections Committee moved to support a handful of bills that would increase public access to voter records. The elections committee, chaired by Flagstaff Republican Wendy Rogers, voted 4-2 to pass two elections transparency bills. Senate Bill 1038 would require a county recorder to make publicly available the full, unredacted vote cast record after an election. Senate Bill 1040 would require the full, unredacted voter registration roll to be made downloadable via an internet portal.  In July, a state judge ruled that full vote cast records are not public records according to current law. “This just adds to the opportunity for transparency,” bill sponsor Mark Finchem of Phoenix said while voting in favor of SB1038. “It offers the opportunity for people to check their own ballot.” The bill requires the recorder to make the vote cast records public within one hour of the polls closing and transmit the file to the secretary of state within 48 hours of the final canvass. The bill also mandates that full names, voter identification numbers and political party registrations be included with each cast vote. Democratic state Senator Lauren Kuby of Scottsdale said she worries making that information public will encourage independent actors to “track down voters” and harass them before the ballots are cured and the results are certified. Arizona’s voter roll, a list of all registered voters in the state, is already available via public records request, albeit with sensitive personal information redacted. Finchem’s SB1040 would remove those redaction requirements and make publicly available personal voter information, including Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers and mothers’ maiden names. Finchem amended the bill to ensure that the downloadable file is uneditable by the general public. The committee also voted to support Finchem’s Senate Bill 1057, which would require paper ballots be outfitted with watermarks to prevent fraud. Hobbs vetoed the same bill last year. Kuby said the measure would increase ballot printing costs with no guarantee that it would improve election security. Nevertheless, the Republican-dominated committee voted 4-2 to approve it.  Finally, the committee voted 4-3 to support Republican state Senator John Kavanagh’s Senate Bill 1003, which would change the language of Arizona statute regarding election results to require county supervisors to “acknowledge without prejudice” final results, rather than “canvass.”

Florida: Bills from Jacksonville Republicans that would relax rules for students who volunteer at polling places cleared their first committee hurdles by unanimous votes. The legislation (SB 564, HB 461), sponsored by Sen. Clay Yarborough and Rep. Kiyan Michael, says the ban on privately-funded election-related expenses would not bar high school students who are registered or preregistered to vote from voluntarily helping poll workers in exchange for community service hours that apply to Bright Futures scholarships. Students can preregister to vote beginning when they turn 16. The bill would take effect July 1, meaning that eligible students could begin participating in the process during the August Primaries this year if it becomes law. Yarborough told the Senate Ethics and Elections Committee that this bill, if passed, “will be one of the greatest firsthand civics lessons, which they can experience as they go along, of one of our greatest rights and what it takes to conduct elections.” Duval County Supervisor of Elections Jerry Holland spoke on behalf of the bill in both committees. He said his grandson was looking for community service opportunities, and said volunteering would help students understand the process and get “exposed” to the role and “maybe come back and be part of our team in the future.”

Indiana: Lawmakers moved to ban ranked choice voting in the state during a committee meeting this week. Advocates of ranked choice voting argue it gives voters more choices, but opponents say the process can be complicated and undermines election confidence. Bill sponsor Blake Doriot (R-Syracuse) said ranked choice is too complicated – and seemed to imply it could favor Democrats. “I find this somewhat distressing because in the United States we have always been one vote, one person,” he said. Other opponents worried that the complicated process could ultimately undermine voter confidence. The bill passed out of committee on a 7-2 vote. 

Nebraska: Getting their first full week back at the Capitol underway, Nebraska state senators filed nearly 40 pieces of legislation. Among the bills introduced this week was an amendment proposal that would alter how laws put in place via ballot initiatives can be modified or repealed. Omaha Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh filed LR297CA, which would require any changes to laws implemented by a statewide vote to also be approved by Nebraska voters.

New York: Senate Democrats advanced a package of election bills aimed at strengthening voter protections, safeguarding election workers and tightening rules against voter intimidation and foreign-influenced political spending, state Senator Kristen Gonzalez wrote in a press release.  The legislation, spearheaded by state Senator Kristen Gonzalez, chair of the Senate Elections Committee, if passed, would increase penalties for voter suppression, prohibit harassment or doxxing of election officials, require standardized training for election commissioners and allow portable early-voting polling sites. Another bill would move New York’s presidential primary to Super Tuesday.

North Carolina Rulemaking: In a heated meeting punctuated by a student protest, the North Carolina State Board of Elections this week rejected Sunday voting hours and on-campus polling sites for a handful of counties, including Brunswick, Guilford,and Pitt in the March primary election. In mostly party-line votes, the board’s new Republican majority voted to approve early voting plans from 12 counties where election boards were unable to reach a unanimous agreement. This included voting against a proposal to include early voting sites at UNC Greensboro and North Carolina A&T State University, prompting a confrontation with students who had come in support of the sites. The State Board of Elections also voted against including Sunday voting in six counties that had disagreed on the issue and cut a longtime early voting site at Western Carolina University.

Luzerne County, Pennsylvania: Luzerne County Council introduced a proposed election protection ordinance  in a 6-5 vote, but it may not have enough support to pass based on subsequent council discussion. A public hearing and majority council approval would be necessary at a future meeting for the ordinance to take effect. Four items are listed under prohibited conduct in the ordinance: obstructing, hindering, or interfering with an election worker; harassing, threatening, or intimidating an election worker through any means; retaliating against an election worker; and disseminating or publishing an election worker’s personal information with the intent to harass or intimidate, known as “doxxing.” The new version, introduced this week, would subject ordinance violators to a $1,000 fine per offense, but it eliminates the past inclusion of up to 90 days of incarceration in the county prison for nonpayment of the fine. Eight residents weighed in on the ordinance during public comment, with six expressing opposition. The arguments for and against mirrored those made when a similar ordinance failed to pass in 2024. Supporters maintained the measure is warranted to provide law enforcement with an additional option to charge those accused of harassing, intimidating, and retaliating against election workers. Critics asserted that laws already are on the books for such crimes and that the wording of the new ordinance could subject those expressing concerns to retaliation and stifle their right to free speech.

Virginia: Virginia House Democrats pushed through four proposed constitutional amendments this week aimed at reshaping some of the state’s most consequential political and civil rights debates — including one that would allow lawmakers to redraw Virginia’s congressional map mid-decade. House Joint Resolution 4, a proposed constitutional amendment that would create a narrow, temporary exception allowing the General Assembly to redraw one or more congressional districts outside the standard decennial cycle under specific circumstances. Under the proposal, lawmakers could act if another state redraws its congressional map mid-decade for reasons other than complying with a state or federal court order. The authority would apply only to congressional districts — not state legislative lines — and would expire in 2030. If the amendment ultimately passes the Senate this session, it would be placed on the ballot during a special statewide election in April, rather than waiting until November. Another amendment would automatically restore voting rights to people with felony convictions who have completed their sentences. Virginia is one of the few states where former felons permanently lose voting rights unless restored by the governor, a process critics say lacks transparency.

Legal Updates

U.S. Supreme Court: Candidates for office are entitled to challenge the rules governing how votes are counted in their elections, the Supreme Court ruled in a 7-2 decision Wednesday, making it easier for candidates to bring such lawsuits. “Candidates have a concrete and particularized interest in the rules that govern the counting of votes in their elections, regardless whether those rules harm their electoral prospects or increase the cost of their campaigns,” Chief Justice John Roberts wrote in the majority opinion. According to Votebeat, Roberts wrote that requiring candidates to show “a substantial risk” that an election rule would cause them to lose an election could force them to wait until closer to an election to bring a lawsuit, which causes other problems. The Supreme Court, he wrote, has repeatedly said lower courts should not alter rules close to an election. “Such late-breaking, court-ordered rule changes can result in voter confusion and undermine confidence in the integrity of electoral processes. The democratic consequences can be worse if courts intervene only after votes have been counted.” Multiple legal experts told Votebeat the ruling is likely to increase the already skyrocketing number of election law cases. But they stressed that, more importantly, it should prompt candidates to bring any legal challenges well before the election, as opposed to close to Election Day or afterward. “Candidates shouldn’t sit on complaints about an election and see how it goes,” said Rick Hasen, a professor at UCLA Law School and an expert on election law. “They should sue as early as they can if they see a problem.”

Federal Litigation: U.S. District Judge John H. Chun in Seattle blocked President Donald Trump’s administration from enforcing most of his executive order on elections against the vote-by-mail states Washington and Oregon, in the latest blow to Trump’s efforts to require documentary proof of citizenship to vote and to require that all ballots be received by Election Day. Chun found that those requirements exceeded the president’s authority, following similar rulings in a Massachusetts case brought by 19 states and in a Washington, D.C., case by Democratic and civil rights groups. “Today’s ruling is a huge victory for voters in Washington and Oregon, and for the rule of law,” Washington Attorney General Nick Brown said. “The court enforced the long-standing constitutional rule that only States and Congress can regulate elections, not the Election Denier-in-Chief.” The executive order, issued in March, included new requirements that people provide documentary proof of citizenship when registering to vote and a demand that all mail ballots be received by Election Day. It also put states’ federal funding at risk if election officials didn’t comply. Officials in Oregon and Washington, which accept ballots as long as they are postmarked by Election Day, said that could disenfranchise thousands of voters. During the 2024 general election, officials in Washington counted nearly 120,000 ballots that were received after election day but postmarked by it. Oregon officials received nearly 14,000 such ballots. The judge found that Trump’s efforts violated the separation of powers. The Constitution grants Congress and the states the authority to regulate federal elections, he noted. Oregon and Washington said they sued separately from other states because, as exclusively vote-by-mail states, they faced particular harms from the executive order.

Arkansas: Bryan Norris, a Republican candidate for Arkansas secretary of state has filed a lawsuit challenging as unconstitutional a state law that bans all nonvoters from remaining within 100 feet of a polling place during voting hours. Norris said in a news release he was filing the lawsuit in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Arkansas in Fayetteville challenging the constitutionality of Arkansas Code § 7-1-103(a)(24), which prohibits electioneering within 100 feet of the entrance to a building where voting is taking place or being there for any purpose except to enter or leave the building. The lawsuit arises from the state’s prosecution of Conrad Reynolds, according to Norris’ release. Reynolds, a retired U.S. Army colonel who lost bids for the Republican nomination in Arkansas’ 2nd congressional district in 2014 and 2022, leads a group that has been advocating for counties to switch from voting machines to hand-marked and hand-counted ballots.

Colorado: Former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters asked the Colorado Court of Appeals this week to overturn a jury’s criminal convictions related to her role in leaking voting machine data from the 2021 Grand Junction municipal election. “What is a clerk supposed to do when she suspects the secretary of state may be about to destroy federal election records on county computers that federal law requires her to preserve?” asked attorney John Case, who also represented Peters through her trial. Peters has long argued the supremacy clause entitles her to immunity from her state charges since she was following a federal requirement to protect election records. A three-judge appellate panel questioned Case on where Peters obtained a federal duty to investigate the state’s handling of election records, which Case argued came baked into the job. Following a 10-day trial in August 2024, a jury found Peters guilty of three felony counts of attempting to influence a public servant and one felony count of conspiracy to commit impersonation, plus misdemeanor counts of official misconduct, violating her duties and failing to comply with the secretary of state’s requirements. Twentieth Judicial Judge Matthew Barrett sentenced Peters to nine years in prison. Senior Assistant Attorney General Lisa Michaels asked the court to affirm both Peters’ conviction and sentence, characterizing any errors as harmless.

Connecticut: The Connecticut Supreme Court ruled this week that a South Windsor Democrat who was denied a Town Council seat despite receiving more votes than any Republican can continue his legal challenge, reopening a dispute over the town’s 2025 election. The ruling reverses a lower court decision that had thrown out the case brought by Harrison Amadasun. The Supreme Court sent the case back to Superior Court for a full hearing on whether the election was handled properly. Amadasun received 3,847 votes in the Nov. 4, 2025, Town Council election. Even so, he was not seated. Instead, the final council seat was given to Republican Rick Balboni, who received 2,937 votes.The dispute centers on how South Windsor Town Clerk Bonnie Armstrong applied recently approved changes to the town charter. Those changes limited one party’s majority on the council to five seats instead of six. A Superior Court judge had ruled that Armstrong was simply following the charter and could not be challenged under election law. The Supreme Court disagreed, ruling that Armstrong was acting as an election official and that her decision must now be reviewed in court. Justice Steven D. Ecker referred to Armstrong’s decision as a “split decision,” meaning she applied the charter changes to some results but not others. Chief Justice Raheem L. Mullins said a written decision explaining the ruling will be released later.

Illinois: The DuPage County clerk’s office is taking its ongoing legal battle with the county board to the appellate court. According to a notice of appeal filed on January 7, the clerk’s office is seeking the reversal of two rulings last year from DuPage County Judge Bryan Chapman that both sided with the county board. Chapman ruled in August that DuPage County Clerk Jean Kaczmarek and her office must follow the county’s accounting procedures. Then, in December, the judge denied the clerk’s request for summary judgment, in which Kaczmarek argued that two election-related contracts were exempt from bidding rules. The filing was the first step in bringing her case before the 3rd District Appellate Court. A briefing schedule has not yet been set. Though Kaczmarek’s attorney, Ken Florey, said he will seek an expedited schedule, he did not anticipate the case being heard before the March 17 primary, where Kaczmarek faces fellow Democrat Paula Deacon Garcia, who serves on the county board. “We’re appealing because we believe we’re correct on the law as we always have been,” Florey said. Kaczmarek has argued that state law gives her internal control over her office, and the county cannot withhold bills for payments or interfere with how services are contracted.

In motions filed in federal court January 9 lawyers representing Common Cause Illinois, the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights and three individual voters joined the American Civil Liberties Union’s National Voting Rights Project, ACLU of Illinois and the Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights in seeking to intervene in the case in hopes of blocking the administration from accessing the data. “The Trump Department of Justice — without proper authorization from Congress — is apparently seeking to create a nationwide database that can be used to harass voters and fuel false claims of voter fraud,” ACLU of Illinois’ Kevin Fee said in a statement Monday. “It is critical that states — including Illinois — resist this illegal effort and protect the privacy of our voters.” Earlier, Illinois AFL-CIO, the Illinois Alliance for Retired Americans and the Illinois Federation of Teachers filed a similar motion to intervene. They argued in their motion that they each devote significant resources to registering their members to vote, and they fear the lawsuit could result in a ruling that undermines those efforts.

Michigan: Jose Gargenis Vasquez-Rosa from the Dominican Republic has pleaded guilty to illegally voting in a federal election and attempting to fraudulently obtain a U.S. passport. Vasquez-Rosa pleaded guilty on Jan. 8 to applying for a U.S. passport under a false name and identity in September 2020, according to court records. Vasquez-Rosa used a different name in his application, as well as claimed he was from Puerto Rico. No passport was issued after the Department of State recognized the fraud. Vasquez-Rosa also used the same name to submit an absentee ballot in the 2020 federal election, claiming he was a resident of Detroit. He pleaded guilty to one count each of making a false statement in a U.S. passport application, making a false statement of U.S. citizenship to obtain a federal service or benefit, and voting by alien. The hearing was held before Michigan Eastern District Court Judge Anthony Patti. Six other charges will be dismissed, according to court records.

Nebraska: Common Cause Nebraska filed a temporary restraining order in Lancaster County District Court to prevent Nebraska’s secretary of state from turning over voter data. In the latest filing, the voting rights nonprofit argues the release of the voter information could violate state law and “irreparably harm Nebraska voters’ privacy,” including voters who are victims of stalking, domestic violence and sexual assault. In September 2025, the DOJ called on Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen to provide a copy of the statewide voter registration list, which includes names, addresses, dates of births, drivers licenses numbers and the last four digits of Social Security numbers. Last fall, Evnen’s office said it would consult with the attorney general’s office for “review and advice.” In a statement to Nebraska Public Media News, Evnen said, “We were advised that the DOJ request is lawful, and at about the same time the lawsuit was filed. I was advised that the issue would be submitted to the judge for decision by the middle of October. That didn’t happen. It is important to get this before the court for a decision. For that reason, I informed the parties that we would provide the requested information on Feb. 12 unless the court ordered otherwise. The parties are now moving to get the issue decided, which is what needs to happen.” In the court filing, Common Cause’s attorney said that Evnen “retracted his commitment” to withholding the information as litigation played out. A hearing has been scheduled for Jan. 29, but the Common Cause team is seeking a “temporary restraining order or temporary injunction” ahead of the January hearing date “to provide the Court with appropriate time to consider and rule on the motion.”

New Jersey: Muhammad Muzammal, 37, and Muhammad Shakeel, 62, have been accused of illegally voting in the 2020 presidential election after claiming to be U.S. citizens on voter registration documents, federal prosecutors said. Muzammal and Shakeel were indicted in December for falsely claiming to be U.S. citizens on their voter registration applications, submitted before the 2020 election, officials said. Once their applications were approved, they both voted in the 2020 general election, officials said. Muzammal also voted in the 2021 election, according to court documents. Muzammal and Shakeel are also accused of lying in subsequent applications for U.S. citizenship, claiming they never registered to vote and never voted in a U.S. election. The two men have been in the U.S. since 2017 and had permanent legal status under family visas, according to court documents. Shakeel is scheduled to make his first court appearance on Jan. 21 in Trenton federal court. Muzammal did not have a court date set as of January 8.

Oregon: U.S. District Court Judge Mustafa Kasubhai agreed to drop a lawsuit from the Justice Department after it sued several states, including Oregon, when their secretaries of state refused to hand over voter registration data. Kasubhai issued a tentative ruling Wednesday, granting Oregon’s motion to dismiss the lawsuit, filed last September. This pends a written decision, according to the Oregon Secretary of State’s office. The federal government had attempted to obtain voter information, including full dates of birth and driver’s license numbers, as well as partial Social Security numbers. In the lawsuit, the DOJ alleged that the secretaries of state, in refusing to give up the information, violated the National Voter Registration Act, the Help America Vote Act and the Civil Rights Act of 1960. The department initially sued Oregon and Maine, then moved on to sue 21 other states and Washington, D.C., the majority of them Democrat-led.  Oregon filed to have the case dismissed, arguing that the National Voter Registration Act, the Help America Vote Act and the Civil Rights Act of 1960 do not require states to provide highly sensitive information to the federal government. “This is a big win for Oregonians’ privacy and the rule of law. The federal government tried to abuse their power to force me to break my oath of office and hand over your private data. I stood up to them and said no. Now, the court sided with us. Tonight, we proved, once again, we have the power to push back and win,” said Oregon Secretary of State Tobias Read in a press release after the ruling. 

Pennsylvania: U.S. District Judge Joseph Leeson Jr. has ruled that Matthew Laiss, a man accused of double voting in the 2020 election, is not covered by a pardon President Donald Trump issued to allies who attempted to overturn his 2020 election loss. “This Court finds that Laiss has not yet applied to the Office of the Pardon Attorney, or received a certificate of pardon, which the plain language of the Pardon requires him to do,” Leeson wrote. Federal prosecutors charged Laiss in September with voting twice in the November 2020 election, alleging that he moved from Pennsylvania to Florida in August of that year and voted both in person in Florida and via mail ballot in Bucks County. Both votes were allegedly for Trump. Trump issued the pardon in November to 77 people who were involved in efforts to subvert the election outcome in 2020, including members of his legal team and the so-called fake electors who attempted to submit alternative slates of electoral votes to Congress on Trump’s behalf. But the proclamation further said the president was granting “a full, complete, and unconditional pardon to all United States citizens” for conduct related to the 2020 election. Laiss’ attorney sought to have the charges dismissed on the grounds that the “plain language” of Trump’s broadly worded pardon applied to his client. He argued that others specifically named in the pardon had committed far more egregious acts.

Vermont: A civil lawsuit claims Burlington is flouting state law by avoiding appointing more Republicans to a board responsible for maintaining the voter registration list and ensuring fair elections. The city has filed a motion to dismiss. Filed Nov. 25 in Vermont Superior Court by two residents, the lawsuit alleges the city “has refused to permit Republicans their statutory-required, minimum representation” on the Board for Registration of Voters. The city filed a motion to dismiss on Jan. 3, claiming that the state law governing civil authority boards does not apply to this board. The Vermont statute pertaining to elections ensures fair representation by mandating that boards of civil authority contain at least three members of each major political party. The city charter does not mandate a minimum but sets a maximum of six members of the same political party for its board of registration of voters. The 12-member board in Burlington currently comprises five Democrats, four Progressives, two Independents and one Republican. The lawsuit states that the City Council met in executive session on Nov. 3 and decided not to appoint any additional members to the board and informed the applicants accordingly.  The plaintiffs said they are qualified and allege the city “has wrongfully refused” to appoint them to the Board for Registration of Voters.

Washington: Esperanza Contreras, 52, of Pasco, is facing multiple charges after allegedly casting several illegal ballots in the 2024 election. According to deputies from the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO), Contreras, who worked as a manager at a Pasco apartment complex, filled out and submitted ballots for tenants without their knowledge. Franklin County Auditor Matt Beaton said at least two of these ballots were counted, while a third was rejected due to a mismatched signature. Beaton said they were initially contacted by the Secretary of State, who informed them that one of the tenants voted in both Washington and Oregon. As a result, the information was passed to the FCSO for investigation. Deputies said Contreras admitted to filling out at least four of her tenants’ ballots without their knowledge, but Beaton said ultimately, she only returned three. Contreras was facing 12 felony charges, including identity theft and forgery, but those charges have been amended to four felonies for voter fraud. 

Opinions This Week

National Opinions: What to expect in 2026 | Voter ID | U.S. Supreme Court, II, III | Ranked choice voting | Vote by  mail | Voter data | Voting Rights Act

Alaska: Voting system  

Colorado: Tina Peters 

Connecticut: Absentee voting | Election reform | Voter data

Florida: Noncitizens 

Georgia: Fulton County 

Maryland: Election litigation 

North Carolina: Every vote matters | State Board of Elections 

Oregon: Election security

Texas: Primaries 

Washington: Vote by mail 

Wyoming: Election legislation 

Upcoming Events

iGO Midwinter Conference: The International Association of Government Officials will hold its Midwinter Conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico from January 19-23, 2026. Please visit the iGO website for more information and to register. When: January 19-23. Where: Albuquerque

Making Democracy Interesting: Tips from TV, Podcasts, Science Fiction, and Online Creators: Shouting ourselves hoarse about the dire consequences of democratic erosion has not, on its own, brought people back in. Many are disillusioned with democracy and unmoved by exhortations to defend it. How can we instead tell positive, compelling stories about democracy—stories that young people, in particular, can relate to? Join The Ash Center at Harvard’s Kennedy School for a conversation with accomplished storytellers from a wide array of mediums about how they bring democracy issues to their audiences in creative ways. When: January 22, 2pm Eastern. Where: Online.

The Republic Is Talking: How Media Has Shaped American Political Life from the Early Republic to the Digital Age: How has the American media shaped our political culture from the creation of the Republic to the digital age? At a moment when debates about trust, polarization, and civic identity dominate national conversation, R Street brings together leading scholars and a prominent journalist to explore the roots of our media environment and discuss what it means for democracy today. This panel will trace the transformation of American public discourse from the pamphlets, newspapers, and oratory that helped forge a new nation to the 21st-century platforms that now define how citizens encounter information, form political identities, and engage in public life. By placing today’s media challenges in historical context, the conversation aims to illuminate what has changed, what has endured, and how Americans might rebuild a healthier political culture. When: January 22, 3pm Eastern. Where: Online.

Help America Vote Day: National Poll Worker Recruitment Day and Help America Vote Day were established by the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) to inspire civic engagement and encourage people to sign up to become a poll worker. The EAC will recognize January 27, 2026 as Help America Vote Day, and August 11, 2026, as National Poll Worker Recruitment Day. These efforts aim to address the continued need for poll workers to sign up to Help America Vote and strengthen our democracy. When: January 27. Where: Everywhere.

2026 NASS Winter Conference: The National Association of Secretaries of State will hold its 2026 Winter Conference in Washington, DC from January 28-31. Please refer to the NASS website for more information about the event and to register. When: January 28-31. Where: Washington, DC. 

First Amendment Originalism: In January 1976, the Supreme Court issued its ruling in Buckley v. Valeo, a landmark decision on the extent to which the First Amendment’s free speech clause protects contributions to political campaigns and their expenditures. Fifty years later, the Supreme Court is set to rule in another case on campaign finance and free speech, but the Court’s jurisprudential makeup is considerably different. While a majority of Supreme Court justices identify as originalists, little legal scholarship has been dedicated to understanding the free speech clause according to its original public meaning. Please join AEI for an event cohosted with the Catholic University of America’s Center for the Constitution and the Catholic Intellectual Tradition on the original meaning of the First Amendment’s free speech guarantees. When: January 29. Where: Washington, DC. 

2026 NASED Winter Conference: Twice a year, National Association of State Election Directors members gather to discuss the latest developments in election administration. Members of the public are welcome to attend at the non-member registration rate. Please refer to the NASED website for information about the 2026 Winter Conference. When: Feb. 1-3, 2026. Where: Washington, DC. 

Oregon Association of County Clerks (OACC) Mid Winter Conference: The Oregon Association of County Clerks hosts two conferences every year. The Mid-Winter Conference is held in Marion County and the Annual Conference is held in the county of the current OACC President. When: February 2-5. Where: Salem. 

Massachusetts Town Clerks Association (MTCA) Winter Conference: The Massachusetts Town Clerks Association will hold its Winter Conference at the Devens Commons Center in Devens. When: February 4-6. Where: Devens.

130th Annual County and District Clerks’ Association of Texas (TAC) Conference: The County and District Clerks’ Association of Texas will hold its annual conference in San Marcos. When: February 10-13. Where: San Marcos

EAC Election Audit Standards Hearing: On Wednesday, February 18, join the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) for a hearing on Election Audit Standards in the agency’s Washington, DC hearing room. During the event, election officials and audit professionals will discuss ways they are effectively using audits to boost public trust in elections. This event will be livestreamed on the EAC’s YouTube channel  and held in person. When: February 18, 1:30pm Eastern. Where: Online and Washington, DC.

2026 NACo Legislative Conference: The NACo Legislative Conference brings together nearly 2,000 elected and appointed county officials to focus on federal policy issues that matter most to county governments. Attendees will experience timely, high-impact policy sessions and will interact with executive branch officials, members of Congress and their staff. When: February 21-24. Where: Washington, DC. 

Election Center February Workshop: Focusing on interaction and sharing of practices selected by members to receive People’s Choice Awards, the February Workshops formalize those critical conversations that happen at conferences during meals, in the hallways, & the hotel lobby. The agenda augments the award-winning member presentations with applicable research and resources.Two CERA core courses and one renewal will be held following the workshop.  When: February 25-27. Where: Jacksonville, Florida. 

Election Center April Workshop: In April, the focus is on state associations and state trainings both by modeling conference formats, facilitation techniques, and potential content resources.  The Coalition of Election Association Leaders (CEAL) guides state groups in their maturation process with mentorship and networking opportunities. When: April 22-24. Where: Chicago.

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.

Account Manager, Electask– Electask is a fast-growing company transforming how election officials manage their operations. Our task and poll worker management software empowers election administrators – the backbone of democracy – to run elections more efficiently and with greater confidence. Right now, we’re a two-person team, and this is the first sales hire. That means we’re looking for someone who’s not just great at closing deals but also can professionalize the sales function. We see opportunity for this position to eventually lead a full sales team and be a core member of our growth as we scale. We’re planning on a base of $50,000 – $60,000 for this role with OTE of $125,000. If you crush it, there is the ability for this role to make $200,000+. What You’ll Do: Be a crucial team member on outbound sales – prospecting, outreach and closing deals, alongside the CEO. This includes email outreach, hitting the phones, and creating long-term relationships with election administrators. Travel to 10+ conferences per year across the country, building relationships with election officials. Visit some lovely places and some that you barely know exist – Lake Tahoe, San Diego, South Padre Island, Amarillo, etc. Work directly with decision-makers in county governments, demonstrating how Electask can improve their operations. Elections officials are extremely kind and are always looking for new and innovative solutions. Help refine our go-to-market approach and lay the foundation for a larger sales team as we grow. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here. 

Administrative Specialist III (Elections Specialist Lead), King County Elections– The Department of Elections is searching for an energetic and resourceful professional who likes to get stuff done. The Administrative Specialist III in the Elections Department combines an exciting environment with the opportunity to cultivate talents and apply a variety of skills. The ideal candidate will thrive in an innovative, fast-paced environment and will not hesitate to roll up both sleeves, work hard, have fun, and get the job done. This position will lead processes, projects, and people within the Opening work area of Ballot Processing. This will include leading, coaching, mentoring, and training temporary and regular staff. Leads may also provide assistance and/or participate in long-term cross-training in multiple work areas to meet organizational agile efforts. This is a great opportunity for a person with strong communication and interpersonal skills. Salary: $32.44 – $41.25 Hourly. Deadline: January 26. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here. 

Director of Election Information Technology, King County, Washington– King County Elections (KCE) seeks a dynamic and visionary leader to serve as our Director of Elections Information Technology (Division Director – Technology). The Director of Elections Information Technology will report to the elected Director of Elections, serve as a member of the Department’s Leadership Team, and lead and support a highly skilled team to achieve excellence in election technology, security, and administration. This role will play a key part in developing departmental goals, strategies, and initiatives, driving the adoption of new technologies within KCE, and fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration. This is a unique opportunity to inspire and empower a team, drive the adoption of new technologies within KCE, identify opportunities to bring innovation to the forefront of our operations, and significantly impact the future of election administration in one of the most populous and diverse counties in the United States.  This is a hybrid position that performs work remotely and on-site. As a leadership team member, this position is expected to work on-site frequently during active elections. Salary: $166,509 – $211,060. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here. 

Election Administrator, Victoria County, Texas–Performs vital work planning, organizing, coordinating, and managing federal, state, and local elections plus all facets of voter registration processes in accordance with the Texas Election Code, and other applicable federal, state, or local laws and regulations, including administrative direction from the Texas Secretary of State. Ensuring smooth elections operations including inputting and maintaining voter registration databases, training and supervising poll works, preparing staffing and logistics for voting, administering early voting by mail and in-person, supervising balloting & tabulation, and preparing final canvassing reports. Coordinating closely with political party chairs in conducting primary, runoff, and general elections while guaranteeing impartiality. Preserving voter registration applications, official election documents, and candidate campaign filings/disclosures. Salary: $61,494 – $76,868. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here. 

Election Operations & Workforce Manager, Charleston County, South Carolina–  The Board of Voter Registration and Elections is an award-winning organization dedicated to excellence in electoral processes. Our mission is to daily serve the Charleston County voting constituency with Vigilance, Objectivity, and Transparency in a manner that promotes due diligence Excellence in all aspects of Elections Management. We are committed to continuous improvement, innovative practices, and exceptional service to our community, ensuring every voter’s voice is heard.   Are you driven by a passion for democracy and civic engagement? Join the Board of Voter Registration and Elections as the Election Operations and Workforce Manager and play a critical role in delivering seamless, fair, and accessible elections. Key Responsibilities: Poll Worker Recruitment and Management; Polling Location Management; Liaison and Community Engagement; Support for Election Operations on Election Day and Early Voting; and Team Leadership. Salary: $68,140 – $89,252. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here. 

Election Software Specialist, Printelect– Printelect is a dynamic and well-established regional election technology & services company with a proven track record in ballot printing, mail services, and a diverse portfolio of election products. With over fifty employees and one hundred twenty years of industry-leading experience, we take pride in our commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction. We partner with local governments throughout Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia to provide products, services, and support for the conduct and administration of Federal, State, and local elections. Job Duties and Responsibilities: Work with our county and city official customers to translate their jurisdictional requirements and candidate data into formats used by voting equipment software. Utilize proprietary election management software, Microsoft Office, and Adobe Suite to build jurisdiction-specific databases, format paper and electronic ballots, and configure voting equipment to utilize those datasets. Provide phone and on-site support for our customers and troubleshoot any issues that arise. Communicate and cross-train with internal departments to facilitate accurate election preparation and good customer service. Develop a comprehensive understanding of all manufacturer hardware and software manuals, and be able to effectively communicate that information to team members and customers. Stay up to date on all new software updates and hardware offerings. Participate in on-site customer training and election day support. Salary: $55,000-60,000. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here. 

Elections Project Manager, Riverside County, California– The County of Riverside’s Registrar of Voter is seeking a qualified Elections Project Manager to join their Administrative Team in Riverside. The Elections Project Manager is a management level position reporting to the Assistant Registrar of Voters, with no direct supervisory responsibility. The position is responsible for managing all Registrar of Voters process improvement initiatives and major operational projects. This role applies comprehensive knowledge of elections functions, programs, and services to ensure projects align with County goals and strategic priorities, while identifying, analyzing, and resolving issues encountered during project development and implementation. The position provides high level project, analytical, and budget period support to five managers including Fiscal, Voter Services, Operations, Outreach, and the Public Information Officer. Key responsibilities include coordinating staff, contractors, County departments, and external agencies; managing contracts related to voting technology, election equipment, and services; collaborating with Purchasing to ensure timely acquisition and delivery; supporting operational needs to conduct elections; performing major project analysis under agreement and contract requirements; developing and presenting reports for County and community submission; and delivering presentations and analysis during the budget process. The ideal candidate for the Elections Project Manager position will possess a strong combination of technical expertise, leadership, and interpersonal skills, with experience managing projects within an elections office or a comparable public-sector elections environment. The most competitive candidates will have proficiency in project management methodologies, ideally with PMI certification, and a proven track record of successfully managing complex projects from initiation to completion. They will demonstrate strong presentation skills and the ability to analyze data to inform decision-making and reporting. Exceptional written and verbal communication skills are essential for collaborating with diverse stakeholders, including staff, contractors, County departments, and community members. The role requires the ability to work independently, manage competing deadlines, and maintain flexibility in scheduling to meet operational and project demands. Bilingual in Spanish is highly desired but not required. At this time, the position has the opportunity for a hybrid telework schedule based on business need, however job expectations, at times may require in person interaction. Telework may change at any time and you will be expected to report to the office. The incumbent will be required to work in the office full time during elections due to the volume of work. Salary: $97,289.00 – $138,984.00 Annually. Deadline: February 9. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here. 

Outreach Administrator/Senior Outreach Administration, Arapahoe County, Colorado – The Election Outreach Administrator performs specialized level administrative, and professional work in carrying out a comprehensive public facing service operation. This position specifically leads and supports all areas of community outreach including voter education materials, judge training, coordinating various voter programs and partnering with designated election officials and the partner community at large. Salary: $54,589.08 – $81,831.10. Deadline: January 26. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here. 

Regional Sales Director – Pacific West, Runbeck–The Regional Sales Director is responsible for leading high-value sales efforts, managing key client relationships, and driving revenue growth through strategic account development. This role requires a seasoned sales professional with a proven record of exceeding sales targets, developing new business opportunities, and nurturing long-term client partnerships. The Regional Sales Director acts as a trusted advisor to clients, aligning solutions with their business objectives while contributing to the company’s overall sales strategy and success. Territory will cover California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Alaska and Hawaii. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here. 

Training Program Manager, Charleston County, South Carolina– Democracy works best when every election runs flawlessly—and that starts with exceptional training. As Training Manager for the Board of Voter Registration and Elections, you’ll empower our poll managers and staff to deliver elections that are fair, accessible, and trusted by every voter in Charleston County. The Board of Voter Registration and Elections is an award-winning organization dedicated to excellence in electoral processes. Our mission is to daily serve the Charleston County voting constituency with Vigilance, Objectivity, and Transparency in a manner that promotes due diligence Excellence in all aspects of Elections Management. We believe that people are the foundation of successful elections. That’s why training is not just a task—it’s a core function of our mission. When our teams are prepared, voters can be confident that their voice will be heard, and their ballot counted. As Training Manager, you are not simply teaching procedures—you are building trust in the democratic process. You will design and deliver training that helps every poll manager, staff member, and Board member understand the importance of their role, perform it with confidence, and meet the highest standards of service to our voters. Salary: $68,140.00 – $82,000.00 Annually. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here. 

Voter Services Manager, Arapahoe County, Colorado– The Voter Service Manager performs managerial level administrative, supervisory, and professional work in carrying out a comprehensive public facing service operation. This position specifically supervises the Voter Services team, which includes voter registration maintenance, GIS/Address Library, public information reporting and the election phone bank. Salary: $77,439.18 – $123,701.24. Deadline: February 4. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here. 

Voter Services Manager, City of Richmond – The City of Richmond Office of Elections is seeking a highly organized and knowledgeable Voter Services Manager. The purpose of the position is to provide management of and administrative assistance for all aspects of voter registration, and absentee services to the Office of the General Registrar. This includes voter registration procedures and the sequence of absentee ballot processes during an election cycle. The incumbent must be able to multi-task and demonstrate sound, independent judgement. The incumbent must have the ability to prioritize, organize and evaluate work; determine appropriate action and adjust workloads according to deadlines and other program requirements. Experience in dealing effectively with a broad range of people in a business environment, with members of the community and with the public is essential. The incumbent in this position will be required to work within adhere to, interpret, apply and explain federal and state regulations, policies and procedures and respond in writing and verbally. Salary: $2,147.12 – $3,319.46 Biweekly. Deadline: January 15. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.

Marketplace

electionline provides no guarantees as to the quality of the items being sold and the accuracy of the information provided about the sale items in the Marketplace. Ads are provided directly by sellers and are not verified by electionline. If you have an ad for Marketplace, please email it to: mmoretti@electionline.org