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Election News This Week

2024 Primaries: Hoosiers, at least some of them, went to the polls this week for Indiana’s primary. Bartholomew County Clerk Shari Lentz said things went smoothly at the county’s vote centers. All vote centers in the county were seeing a “steady stream” of voters come through, “but we’re not seeing lines anywhere,” Lentz said. “It is low,” Lentz said of the turnout. “…It’s disappointing for sure.” The biggest issue for voters and elections officials was the weather. The primary election in the Wabash Valley had to battle some severe weather. Vermillion County circuit court clerk Tami Lowry said that it impacted them in a big way. “We had four of our precincts lose power, however, they either had generators and backup batteries, so they didn’t end up having any problems and came right back up,” she said. Clay County clerk Amy Jordan said that they are already putting precautions into place if a storm like this comes through again on election day. “We need a place for emergency preparedness, because we don’t have that,” she said. “We are going to get generators so if we do have an emergency, we have all that in place.” However, Lowry said that the staff on hand made it a point to not let the weather hinder the election process. “Everything went well as far as the materials, the machines, and getting everybody voted,” she said.

Planning for AI: The Brennan Center for Justice at NYU Law, the Elections Group, and Institute for the Future (IFTF) released How Election Officials Can Identify, Prepare for, and Respond to AI Threats. Developed by experts in election administration, cybersecurity, and AI, this new tool provides scenarios for hypothetical situations involving AI-related attacks on election infrastructure, attempts to spread misinformation about voting, and efforts to interfere with election officials’ work. The scenario planner offers practical advice for responding to these threats. “Many election officials we’ve spoken to have said that despite the considerable hype around how AI may disrupt elections, they do not have the detailed guidance they would like to prepare,” said Lawrence Norden, senior director of the Elections & Government Program at the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU Law. “This scenario planner provides them with that guidance, and shows they already have much of the knowledge and technology they need to help prevent AI from unsettling election operations this year.” The planner was inspired by authors’ conversations with election officials about concerns over AI and lessons learned from Arizona election officials’ tabletop exercises on AI in December 2023. Among the hypothetical situations in the scenario planner:

• A deepfake video uses an election official’s voice and image to spread false instructions on how to vote.
• An election staffer receives a convincing, AI-generated phishing email directed at election officials with bait links that could infect the election systems with malware.
• Logistical disruptions such as phone calls seeking information about polling place hours are automated to flood election office phone lines as well as staff mobile phones. AI systems can generate calls that are highly personalized to mimic real people and voters by sharing real voters’ data, and can potentially overwhelm staff, resources, and interrupt election work.

For each scenario in the planner, the authors make recommendations for handling it, with specific steps for stopping an attack and reducing the damage.

Congratulations: Congratulations to Kentucky Secretary of State Michael Adams who has been named as a recipient of the “Profile in Courage” award from the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation. Adams is being recognized with the award for making absentee voting easier in Kentucky, along with increasing the number of in-person voting days. The award recognizes public officials at the federal, state, or local level who demonstrate leadership and political courage. He’ll receive the award at a ceremony in Boston next month. The award has been presented since 1990. “President Kennedy’s admonition to put country before self rings true now more than ever,” Adams said Monday. “I’m honored to accept this award on behalf of election officials and poll workers across America who, inspired by this call, sacrifice to keep the American experiment in self-government alive.” Part of why Adams says he is particularly “honored” is because the JFK Library Foundation “recognizes that we need problem solvers, that we need to reward people who do the right thing.” The award noted this, saying, “as he advocated for this legislation, Adams knew it was deeply unpopular with much of his party, but he persisted and faced primary challenges from candidates who embraced voter fraud claims.”

Sticker News: A winner has been chosen for the Richmond, Virginia Office of Elections’ “I Voted” sticker contest. Four original designs, submitted by Virginia Commonwealth University Arts students, were in the running for the contest’s top prize. The winner was decided by the Richmond public, voting for their favorite designs. Asia Rorick won first place and was awarded a $1,000 Amazon gift card for her sticker design, featuring a friendly opossum at the polls.

Personnel News: Shasta County, California’s Cathy Darling Allen has now officially retired.  Ed Golembiewski Washtenaw County, Michigan’s director of elections and chief deputy clerk, is joining the U.S. Election Assistance Commission as a senior election expert. Meridian Township, Michigan Clerk Deborah Guthrie, who was disqualified from the ballot as a traditional candidate but filed as a registered write-in, has dropped out of the race for her seat altogether. Kerr County, Texas Clerk Ian Collum has resigned from his post. Nadene Alford, who has worked for Kerr County for almost four decades, will be the interim county clerk. Nina Ward has been appointed the new Bay County, Florida supervisor of elections. Milwaukee, Wisconsin Mayor Cavalier Johnson announced this week that Paulina Gutiérrez would replace Claire Woodall as the executive director of the Milwaukee Election Commission. Julie Haertsch has resigned as the York County, Pennsylvania director of elections. Cheshire, Massachusetts Town Clerk Christine Emerson has retired. 

Legislative Updates

Federal Legislation: U.S. Sen. Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) reintroduced a joint resolution proposing an amendment to enshrine the right to vote in the U.S. Constitution. “We need to advance additional tools to push back against widespread voter suppression, and that includes providing a north star: an explicit, individual right to vote in the Constitution,” Durbin said in a Tuesday statement. The amendment would authorize Congress to protect the right to vote through legislation, require any efforts to limit the right to vote to be subject to the strictest level of review in court and ensure that states cannot use Section 2 of the 14th Amendment to prevent Americans who have criminal convictions from voting. Durbin — who chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee — first introduced the resolution in August 2020 ahead of the 55th anniversary of the enactment of the Voting Rights Act.  “In the words of the late John Lewis, the right to vote is ‘the most powerful nonviolent tool or instrument we have in a democratic society,’” Durbin said in yesterday’s statement. “When Congress passed the Voting Rights Act in 1965, an overwhelming bipartisan majority supported the measure. When it was reauthorized in 2006, not one Senator – Democratic or Republican – voted against the bill.” Cosponsors of the resolution include Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Jeff Merkley (D-Or.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.). The resolution is also endorsed by multiple civil rights organizations, including the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, the Advancement Project and Color of Change, according to Durbin’s statement.

Alaska: The Senate State Affairs Committee voted to advance a bill that would allow same-day voter registration in the state, despite the objections of the bill’s original author, who opposes the idea. House Bill 129 was originally written by Rep. Sarah Vance, R-Homer, to allow the state to trim its voter rolls more quickly. The state has 108% of its 20-and-older population registered to vote, and House lawmakers supported the bill on a bipartisan vote in February. On May 2, the Committee turned the bill into a comprehensive elections overhaul with a major amendment that incorporates elements of other bills: Voters would be allowed to register for an election within 30 days of Election Day, something currently allowed only for presidential votes. The Division of Elections would have to create a method for voters to fix errors on absentee ballots that have already been mailed.Absentee ballots would no longer require the signature of someone who witnesses the voter fill out the ballot. Ballots filled out by voters with special needs couldn’t be rejected because of errors by poll workers or the person delivering the ballot to the polls. If someone uses AI computer software to fake a candidate’s appearance in an election ad, the fake would have to include a legal disclaimer. A candidate would be able to transfer leftover campaign donations to a legal fund for election-related lawsuits. The Division of Elections would have to develop a cybersecurity program and develop procedures for audits intended to reduce risks. Sen. Scott Kawasaki, D-Fairbanks and the chair of the State Affairs Committee, had planned a separate, multipart elections bill, but that bill hasn’t advanced in the Senate.

Arkansas:  A legislative committee reviewed and approved an emergency rule that permits electronic signatures on voter registration applications only when they’re completed at certain state agencies.  The Arkansas Board of Election Commissioners last week gave initial approval to the rule, which requires paper registration applications to include a “wet signature,” meaning an applicant signs with a pen. Board Director Chris Madison told the Arkansas Legislative Council’s Executive Subcommittee on May 2 that the rule was designed to create consistency because electronic signatures were being accepted by some county clerks and rejected by others. According to the rule, electronic signatures are permitted at agencies that are identified in Amendment 51 of the Arkansas Constitution that are specifically authorized to use computer processes as part of its interaction with customers and program recipients. Authorized agencies include the Office of Driver Services of the Revenue Division of the Department of Finance and Administration, State Revenue Offices, public assistance agencies and disability agencies. The new rule directly impacts the work of Get Loud Arkansas, which has used an online portal to help register around 500 voters in 63 counties since the start of the year. The emergency rule went into effect May 4 and will be in effect for 120 days. The Arkansas Board of Election Commissioners will next work on a permanent rule that will require a 30-day comment period and a public hearing.

Colorado: On May 3, the Legislature approved a first-in-the-nation bill to require vote centers be located in county jails. Senate Bill 72, which now awaits the signature of Governor Jared Polis to become law, would give people held in local jails a lot more opportunities to obtain and cast a ballot. It would require that sheriffs establish polling stations within local jails across Colorado each general election to operate for at least one six-hour period. It would also require every jail to designate a ballot drop-off location, for those who want to vote by mail. Colorado would be the first state to enact a mandate of this sort. Nevada, Massachusetts, and Washington state have recently passed initiatives meant to make jail voting easier, but none feature the central requirement of Colorado’s: turning local jails into in-person polling places. SB 72 builds on recent efforts in Denver, where local officials set up in-person voting from jail starting in 2020, to great effect so far: The jail’s turnout rate has occasionally surpassed the city’s overall rate. Elections workers and outside voter-engagement groups have also been able to enter the Denver jail to register people to vote and help them access ballots. The reform does not affect who is already eligible to vote. Colorado, like nearly every other state, bars people from voting while they are incarcerated if they’ve been convicted of a felony, and SB 72 keeps it that way. Rather, the bill seeks to improve ballot access for a group of people who already have the right to vote but face major barriers to actually using it. Should Polis sign SB 72 into law, it’ll go into effect in time for this November’s election “I’m so proud Colorado is first to address this embarrassingly antiquated system that discriminates against confined voters merely because they (literally) can’t get to a polling place,” said Judd Choate, Colorado Director of Elections. 

Connecticut:  Lawmakers took the first steps toward tightening absentee ballot laws since video last year captured people stuffing reams of ballots into collection boxes in one city, creating a “black eye” for Connecticut and fueling skepticism in some circles about U.S. election security. Mandatory surveillance cameras at absentee drop-boxes and improved tracking of ballots, as well as new protections for poll workers, are among the proposed changes in a bill that easily cleared the House of Representatives. Democrats and Republicans said it was important to pass legislation that increases the public’s confidence in state elections, even though no one has been charged yet in connection with the alleged ballot irregularities in the September mayoral primary in Bridgeport – the results of which were tossed out by a judge. The bill would require cities and towns by July 1, 2025, to install a video camera for each absentee ballot drop box and make the footage available to the public. It also includes new measures for tracking where and when individual absentee ballots were collected and tighter procedures for obtaining an absentee ballot. There are also provisions to address redundancies in voter rolls and speed up referrals of potential criminal violations of election law to the appropriate authorities. The bill additionally allows poll workers to apply to have their home addresses not subject to open records requests for 90 days before and after an election — a measure aimed at protecting them from possible harassment. Anyone who reveals the worker’s address would face a misdemeanor charge under the legislation. While questions of election security have led to bitter partisan fights in other states this year, Connecticut’s bill passed the Democratic controlled House of Representatives unanimously. It now awaits final legislative action in the Democratic controlled Senate. 

Georgia: Gov. Brian Kemp signed election-year changes into law this week that empower voter eligibility challenges, require more audits and tighten ballot security ahead of this year’s contentious presidential campaign. The three-bill package reflects Republicans’ latest efforts to revise election rules in the wake of the 2020 presidential election, when many supporters of Donald Trump said they mistrusted the voting process after he lost in both machine and hand vote counts. The new laws solidify the ability of conservative activists to challenge the eligibility of voters who appear to have moved, a priority among Republicans who say outdated registrations could be used for fraud unless they’re more quickly removed. Few cases of illegal voting have been confirmed by State Election Board inquiries, and voting rights advocates say legitimate voters have been targeted by challenges. The laws also satisfy conservative demands for more access for partisan election observers, visible watermarks printed on ballots and an eventual move to stop counting ballots based on computer QR codes, which are unreadable by the human eye. In addition, digital ballot images will be available online for public review, fewer voting machines will be required in election day polling places, and third-party presidential candidates will automatically appear on Georgia ballots if they also are on the ballot in at least 20 other states and territories. House Bill 974: Adds watermarks to ballots, displays ballot pictures online, requires more audits of statewide elections and uses technology to verify the accuracy of text on ballots. House Bill 1207: Requires election workers to be U.S. citizens, allows fewer voting machines on election days, guarantees poll watchers close access and allows candidates to proof ballots for errors. Senate Bill 189: Changes rules for mass voter challenges, eliminates computer QR codes from ballots, adds ballot security procedures and eases requirements for third-party presidential candidates to appear on Georgia ballots.

Iowa: Governor Kim Reynolds signed a bill into law that will provide new training and resources for Iowa poll workers. Under the new law, Secretary of State Paul Pate’s office will implement a new training program. For every election in Iowa, more than 1,600 precincts require poll workers. Pate said in a statement, “A key component to election integrity is consistency and uniformity across every Iowa county. Now, poll workers and election officials in all 99 counties will receive uniform, thorough training, ensuring that voters in all four corners of the state have a positive and consistent experience when they vote.” Pate went on to say that becoming a poll worker is a good way to experience a hands-on look into the work that goes into elections.

Louisiana: Ranked-choice voting is so dangerous, according to one Louisiana state senator, that no voter should be allowed to use it — except for the tens of thousands of military voters who have used it for years. Senate Bill 101, sponsored by Sen. Blake Miguez, R-New Iberia, advanced from the House Judiciary Committee in a 8-1 vote May 1 and is pending on the House floor for final approval. Miguez’s bill would prohibit local governments from using ranked-choice voting for any elections in Louisiana, with an exception for out-of-state military members who have used it in Louisiana elections for decades. According to the Louisiana Luminator, the proposal virtually sailed through the committee hearing with few questions from lawmakers about Miguez’s claims, many of which don’t hold up under scrutiny. During Senate floor debate last month, Sen. Jay Luneau, D-Alexandria, argued the proposal is unnecessary because Louisiana would have to first enact a law just to allow ranked-choice voting, which it has not done. “Do you have any other bills that define things that we don’t do in Louisiana?” Luneau asked Miguez. “I’m just curious how many different things are there in Louisiana that we don’t do that we need to define.” Miguez would not give a straight answer to the question.  “Let’s not complicate the matter,” Miguez said. “Let’s just look at the crux of this thing. If you support ranked-choice voting, then vote against my bill.” Other lawmakers who opposed the bill argued  the state would overstep by telling local governments how to conduct local elections.  Miguez’s bill is part of Republican Secretary of State Nancy Landry’s legislative agenda. During the hearing, Landry did not repeat Miguez’s false claims of “trashed ballots” but instead argued that ranked-choice voting can sometimes be complex and confusing, which has been the case in some elections.  She said a study of a ranked-choice election in another state indicated it caused low-voter turnout.

Ohio: At 256 pages long, House Bill 472 would bring sweeping changes to Ohio’s election law. But its most notable proposal would be to take the state’s recently enacted voter ID law — which requires a voter to show a valid photo ID in order to vote — and extend that to voter registration and absentee ballots. Under H.B. 472, absentee ballots must be accompanied by a scan of the voter’s valid state ID, which Democrats pointed out could be tough to obtain for elderly Ohioans, who often vote by mail and might not have a photocopier. The sponsors said the bill was developed in consultation with the Ohio Secretary of State and various local boards of elections throughout Ohio. The bill contains a provision that allows Ohioans who have a religious objection to being photographed to register, and vote absentee, using the last four digits of their Social Security number as proof of their identity. “We’re trying to make sure we have good, identifiable, not only features but data, that helps the individual voter and helps boards of elections to ensure that that person is a valid elector,” said Rep. Bernie Willis, R-Springfield. Democrats questioned the burden such a law might put on absentee voters. Cincinnati Democrat Rep. Dani Isaacsohn asserted that if the last four digits of a Social Security number is enough to register and certify some Ohioans, then it ought to be enough for every Ohioan. “If we can trust that registration… What is inherently different about the security of their registration versus someone who doesn’t have a religious objection and therefore needs a picture taken? What is different about those people, inherently?” Isaacsohn asked.

Legal Updates

Connecticut: A former Bridgeport city councilman faces up to a year in prison after pleading guilty to a charge connected to “repeated ballot irregularities” in multiple elections. Michael DeFilippo, 37, pleaded guilty on Monday to deprivation of rights under color of law. In addition to possible prison time, he may also be sentenced to pay up to $100,000 in fines. He is currently out on bond. DeFilippo was on the Bridgeport City Council from June 2018 to July 2021. Due to what the U.S. Department of Justice called “repeated absentee ballot irregularities,” the city’s Democratic primary for his district was redone twice. During the 2017 and 2018 primaries, in addition to the 2018 general election for his seat, he faked voter documents and forged signatures, leading to stolen ballots being counted.

Louisiana: Civil rights groups filed an emergency application at the Supreme Court on May 8 asking the justices to block a lower court ruling throwing out Louisiana’s new congressional map. A panel of federal judges issued a 2-1 ruling striking down Louisiana’s map, finding that adding a second majority Black district created an impermissible racial gerrymander. The groups said the lower court ruling was an “aggressive incursion on state sovereignty” that prevented Louisiana lawmakers from solving a violation of the Voting Rights Act with the Legislature’s policy priorities. “It is precisely to preclude cases like this one that the court recognized the principle that government actors must be given ‘breathing room’ to comply with the VRA, when they have good reason to believe they must, without facing constitutional liability,” Stuart Naifeh, an attorney with the NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund, wrote in the application. Louisiana was under a court order to draw new congressional maps after the Fifth Circuit ruled that the state’s districts violated the Voting Rights Act by diluting the voting power of Black residents. In a January special session, Louisiana drew a new map that would comply with the act by creating a second majority-Black district.

Maryland: U.S. District Court Judge Stephanie A. Gallagher dismissed a lawsuit seeking to halt the 2024 election in Maryland. The lawsuit filed earlier this year by two organizations alleged that the Maryland State Board of Elections violated state and federal election law as well as the Maryland Public Information Act. Gallagher, in dismissing the case, said the “plaintiffs lack standing to bring their claims and this court therefore lacks subject matter jurisdiction.” Two groups — Maryland Election Integrity LLC and Missouri-based United Sovereign Americans — filed suit in March against the state board and an amended complaint in April. The suit alleged the state board maintained inaccurate voter registration lists and violated federal election law. Earlier this month, the groups asked Gallagher to issue an injunction preventing the board from certifying election results until the errors are fixed. Late last month, the Maryland State Board of Elections asked the judge to deny the request for a restraining order and dismiss the lawsuit. Gallagher granted the state’s motion. “Despite plaintiffs’ numerous assertions of problems with Maryland’s voting system, this Court can begin and end its analysis with Plaintiffs’ standing,” Gallgher wrote in her nine-page opinion. Both corporate entities “lack standing to seek relief for injuries to themselves,” Gallagher wrote. “Here, Maryland Election Integrity was ‘created for the purpose of resolving violations of Maryland law and restoring trust in Maryland Elections,’” Gallagher wrote. “Although the company’s mission might theoretically be impeded by the alleged voting violations, the company does not appear to conduct any regular activities for achieving that mission besides bringing the instant lawsuit and conducting investigations to support the lawsuit. Therefore, the alleged harm is ‘simply a setback to the organization’s abstract social interests’ rather than a ‘concrete and demonstrable injury to the organization’s activities.’”

Michigan: Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced charges on May 8 against former Adams Township Clerk Stephanie Scott and her attorney, Stefanie Lambert Junttila, alleging the pair permitted an unauthorized computer examiner to access voter data concerning the 2020 election, which included non-public information.  In a statement, the Michigan Department of Attorney General contended that Scott, a Republican, disregarded multiple instructions from the director of elections to present the Adams Township voting tabulator to an authorized vendor for maintenance and testing. The department said Scott withheld the tabulator until it was seized by Michigan State Police executing a search warrant.  The department also contends that Lambert Juntilla illicitly transmitted data concerning the 2020 general election from the Adams Township electronic poll book under Scott’s direction. “Ensuring election security and integrity stands as the cornerstone of our democracy,” said Nessel, a Democrat. “When elected officials and their proxies use their positions to promote baseless conspiracies, show blatant disregard for voter privacy, and break the law in the process, it undermines the very essence of the democratic process. Those who engage in such reckless conduct must be held accountable for their actions.” Lambert Juntilla was previously indicted for allegedly attempting to access and tamper with voting machines following the 2020 election, along with former state Rep. Daire Rendon (R-Lake City) and GOP former attorney general nominee Matt DePerno. Lambert Juntilla’s case is slated for trial on Oct. 21.

A man who placed a fake camera and lights outside the township’s early voting location in February will not face criminal charges, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced. The man, whose name was not released, was identified in a release from Nessel’s office as an individual who previously worked as an election inspector in the City of Plymouth. The man came forward during the investigation and admitted to placing the non-functional camera and solar light, saying his intent was to deter tampering and promote honest voting, the release said. “My department takes allegations of voter intimidation and election fraud very seriously,” Nessel said. “We will continue to thoroughly investigate each referral we receive from both local or state partners, and prosecute any criminal offenses we uncover. “While this incident did not rise to illegal activity, it serves as an important reminder for all Michigan voters, election workers and volunteers to know what is and what isn’t allowed at polling locations and to comply with the law.”

The Democratic National Committee submitted briefs this week against two election lawsuits brought by Republicans in Michigan courts, arguing the GOP was attempting to “undermine faith in our electoral system.” The filings spotlighted Michigan as a crucial battleground state, six months before the November election, and also highlighted the significant role judges will likely play this year, amid a heightened focus on the policies and personnel guiding voting across the nation. On May 6, lawyers for the Democratic National Committee, which is working to reelect President Joe Biden, said two suits filed by the Republican National Committee in Michigan in March were part of “extensive” and “wide-ranging” efforts to make people believe the upcoming election will be unfair. “The only practical effect of this litigation is to sow doubt about the integrity of Michigan’s elections and generate talking points for future claims of voter fraud,” the Democratic attorneys wrote in one of their briefs.

Nevada: After two rejections in federal court, Robert Beadles and three fellow plaintiffs filed an appeal May 1 to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in their effort to block a Nevada law protecting election workers from harassment. They claim the law chills their rights to vigorously observe and challenge the election process for fear of being arrested under the law. U.S. District Judge Cristina Silva has found that the plaintiffs don’t have standing to bring the case because they can’t show they have been harmed or would be harmed by the law. The plaintiffs are Beadles, Susan Vanness, Alexandrea Slack and Martin Waldman. Their claim rests not on the fact that the law could harm them but that someone could misinterpret the law and thus harm them, the judge said, which doesn’t give them cause to bring the lawsuit. No details about the reasoning behind the appeal were available. A spokesperson for Nevada Secretary of Stater Cisco Aguilar, who is named in the lawsuit, said she was unable to comment on ongoing litigation. When the lawsuit was rejected last month, Aguilar said in a statement that he was grateful to Judge Silva for her decision. “The Election Worker Protection Act was brought by a Democratic Secretary of State, passed with unanimous bipartisan support, and was signed by a Republican Governor,” he said in a statement. “Nevada has said loud and clear: threats and harassment against election workers will not stand.”

The Republican Party and presumptive presidential nominee Donald Trump sued Nevada and its two biggest counties over the policy of accepting late-arriving vote-by-mail ballots up to four days after Election Day. “Nevada effectively extends Nevada’s federal election past the Election Day established by Congress,” the parties say in their federal complaint. “The result of Nevada’s violation of federal law is that timely, valid ballots are diluted by untimely, invalid ballots, which violates the rights of candidates, campaigns, and voters under federal law.” In a statement, Nevada Secretary of State Francisco Aguilar said, “Our office will not comment on ongoing litigation, but I hope the RNC is putting as much time and energy into educating voters on how to participate in elections as they put into suing the state of Nevada.” He added: “Nevada runs some of the most secure, transparent, and accessible elections in the country. The key for that accessibility is allowing working Nevadans to vote using the method that works best for them, including voting by mail.” The DNC has filed a brief asking that the suit be thrown out. 

The Nevada Supreme Court heard arguments May 8 on the legality of a proposed ballot measure to require voter identification, after a lower court dismissed a lawsuit challenging it in February. The appellant — represented by a group of Nevada and Washington, D.C.-based attorneys who typically represent Democrat-backed causes — argues that the petition would cost money while not explicitly outlining a funding source, which would be unconstitutional. Voter ID proposals are favored inside and outside of Nevada by Republicans, who say they are necessary to ensure election security, but the proposals have failed to gain momentum in the Democrat-controlled Legislature. The hearing comes less than two months before the deadline for petition supporters to gather and submit enough signatures for the measure to qualify for the November ballot. So far, supporters have received about  60,000 signatures, according to David Gibbs, the head of the Repair the Vote PAC behind the effort. To make it on the ballot, petition supporters still must gather 102,362 signatures from voters by June 26, with at least 25,591 signatures coming from each of the state’s four congressional districts.

North Carolina: Arguments began this week in a federal trial over a 2018 North Carolina voter ID law that requires in-person voters to show identification at the polls. Lawyers for the plaintiffs told U.S. District Judge Loretta Biggs, an Obama appointee, that the law disenfranchises Black and Latino voters, violates the Voting Rights Act, and deters minorities from voting. The defendants, which include Republican leaders and the state Board of Elections, argue that their voter ID requirement is one of the most permissive in the nation and that the legislature wasn’t required to provide any exceptions to the photo ID rule, but still did, allowing voters to fill out an exemption form.   “North Carolina allows voters to vote with or without ID, and any deterrent is minimal,” said David Thompson, attorney for intervenor-defendants Speaker Tim Moore and President Pro Tempore Phil Berger. Kathleen Roblez, attorney for the plaintiffs, said the requirement “attempts to solve a voter ID problem, which simply doesn’t exist,” adding it was passed based on lawmakers’ false notions of the prevalence of in-person voter ID fraud. In-person voter fraud is practically nonexistent in North Carolina. The Board of Elections reported only one case of it in the 2016 general election out of nearly 4.8 million votes. The current version of the law accepts a variety of voter identification cards, including drivers licenses, tribal IDs, military identification cards, and certain employment and student IDs. Residents attempting to vote without an ID can fill out a “reasonable impediment declaration form” explaining what prevented them from presenting identification. Voters can also cast a provisional ballot and return with their photo ID for their ballot to be counted.

North Dakota: Attorneys for the state of North Dakota are asking the U.S. Supreme Court to vacate a ruling in a case the state had actually won. It’s a change of position the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation chairman calls “unconscionable” after the tribe and state had previously been aligned. North Dakota Attorney General Drew Wrigley said the state is trying to gain clarity on how legislative district lines can be drawn to comply with both the U.S. Constitution and the federal Voting Rights Act.  “We’re inviting them to … decide that well-intentioned racial discrimination is still discrimination,” Wrigley said. The case goes back to 2021, when the Republican-dominated North Dakota Legislature redrew legislative district lines based on the 2020 census results.  The legislation created subdistricts in districts 4 and 9 for two reservations. District 4A follows the borders of the Fort Berthold Reservation, home to the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation. The state filed a motion asking the U.S. Supreme Court to reconsider that decision. The motion was filed after plaintiffs Walen and Henderson appealed the ruling. The state now seeks to vacate the ruling of the three-judge panel and send it back for further proceedings.

Wisconsin: Kimberly Zapata, 47, a former Milwaukee elections official convicted of electoral fraud was sentenced to a stayed jail sentence and thousands of dollars in fines. Zapata was found guilty of one misconduct in public office felony and three election fraud misdemeanors at her jury trial in March. Prosecutors argued that, just ahead of the 2022 midterms, she used fake voter information and her governmental access to send three military absentee ballots to a Republican lawmaker who has signal-boosted election conspiracy theories. The defendant pleaded not guilty to all the charges. Zapata’s attorney Dan Adams portrayed her as a whistleblower intending to draw attention away from far-out conspiracy theories and toward concrete issues with election administration. At the conclusion of a 40-minute sentencing hearing on May 2, Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Kori Ashley sentenced Zapata to 9 months’ jail time stayed for 12 months of probation and 120 hours of community service for the misconduct felony, finding no need for immediate imprisonment. Zapata received a $1,000 fine for each of the three election fraud misdemeanors. Assistant District Attorney Matthew Westphal reiterated at sentencing that Zapata was not a whistleblower, but a public employee who violated the public’s trust and committed fraud amid already fraught tensions surrounding mis- and dis-information about voter fraud. Calling Zapata’s actions “an extremely serious offense” and “an attack on our electoral system,” the prosecutor recommended a 12-month sentence for the misconduct felony and 60 days of concurrent jail time for each election fraud misdemeanor to be stayed for 18 months’ probation plus community service.

The Public Interest Legal Foundation has once again made Wisconsin’s voter rolls a subject of litigation ahead of the November elections, arguing that state election officials should be forced to more easily disclose voter registration lists. The group’s latest legal challenge in Wisconsin centers on the accessibility of the state’s voter registration list. The federal National Voter Registration Act lays out a set of basic standards for members of the public to request and inspect voter registration lists, guaranteeing the documents can be made available and limiting the costs that can be charged for their production. However, Wisconsin is among a half-dozen states that had same-day voter registration when the federal law was enacted in 1993 and are exempt from some of the requirements. The Public Interest Legal Foundation (PILF) argues that two states, Minnesota and Wisconsin, should not be exempt from the requirement to more easily and cheaply produce copies of the voter registration rolls under federal law. The lawsuit claims that the exemptions are unconstitutional because they treat some states differently from others.

The state Supreme Court announced May 3 that it will decide whether mobile voting sites are legal without allowing any lower appellate courts to rule first. The Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty, a conservative law firm, sued in December 2022 on behalf of Racine County Republican Party Chair Ken Brown, alleging Racine city officials illegally used a voting van to collect absentee ballots that year. A circuit judge ruled in January that state law doesn’t allow mobile voting sites to operate. Racine City Clerk Tara McMenamin and the Democratic National Committee asked the state Supreme Court in February to review the case without letting any lower appellate courts rule on it first. The justices issued an order Friday afternoon indicating they had voted 4-3 to take the case. All three conservative justices dissented. Chief Justice Annette Ziegler, a member of the conservative block, wrote that the case hasn’t been fully briefed and the liberal justices are trying to help Democrats make political gains ahead of the November elections.

Opinions This Week

National Opinions: Early voting | Poll workers | Election workers | Ranked choice voting | Same day registration | Vote by mail | Poll watchers | Election security

Alaska: Election legislation  

Florida: Miami-Dade County | Manatee County 

Maryland: Early voting | Vote by mail | Ranked choice voting 

Nevada: Mail ballot litigation | Free & fair elections | Election security

North Carolina: Voting rights | Ranked choice voting 

North Dakota: Voting rights

Oklahoma: Elections funding 

Oregon: Expanded automatic voter registration 

Virginia: Ranked choice voting | Threats | Election workers 

Washington: Ranked choice voting, II 

West Virginia: Secretary of state race | Early voting 

Upcoming Events

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

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

A Promise Unfulfilled: The Future of the Right to Vote:  USC Gould School of Law Dean and ACS Board of Directors Member Franita Tolson will be the featured speaker at the Kiplinger Lecture on Saturday, May 18, 3:30-4:30 p.m. ET at the Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Bethesda, Maryland. Tolson will deliver the lecture “A Promise Unfulfilled: The Future of the Right to Vote,” followed by a moderated discussion with ACS President Russ Feingold. Tolson will explore protections in the Voting Rights Acts of 1965 and the 14th and 15th Amendments to the Constitution. She will also comment on recent federal and state laws and judicial decisions that affect voting rights. When: May 18, 3:30pm Eastern. Where: Online

Preparing for the 2024 Elections: The hotly contested 2024 elections are a mere six months away with election administrators under the microscope more than ever. In this intense environment, what can and should local election officials be doing now to prepare for the fall elections? Join the Humphrey School of Public Affairs for the third annual Certificate in Election Administration (CEA) conference as featured experts explore available resources, innovative vote centers, and other practical steps election officials can take to ensure a safe, accessible, and secure election this fall. When: May 20, 10am-12:30pm Central. Where: Online. 

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

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

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.

Assistant Election Supervisor, Bartow County, Georgia– Reporting to the Elections Supervisor, this position is responsible for supervising voter registration activities as well as assisting in the coordination of federal, state, county, and municipal elections within Bartow County. Major duties: Registers voters and researches and resolves unusual and/or complicated registration issues. Maintains correct street, precinct and district information for the county; audits streets to ensure proper districting. Processes and certifies absentee ballots. Researches and determines the result of provisional ballots to make recommendations to the Board. Researches and interprets national, state and local laws as well as the rules of the State Election Board and the opinions of the Attorney General. Supervises employees by assigning registration tasks, answering questions, and coordinating schedules. Drafts and maintains written procedures for voter registration. Conducts press interviews, prepares press releases and maintains social media accounts as necessary. Troubleshoots voting issues on Election Day and during the early voting process. Compiles legally-required paperwork and supplies for Election Day and early voting. Assists in tabulating and canvassing election results. Designs and presents poll worker training. Conducts voter education and voter registration drives. Attends intergovernmental meetings with city, other county, and state agencies. Maintains office supply inventory; reorders as needed. Performs the duties of the Election Supervisor in his or her absence. Serves as Chief Deputy Registrar for the Board. Performs related duties. Salary: $51,771 to $63,107/Annually DOE/DOQ. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here. 

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

Departmental Analyst Trainee, Michigan Dept. of State– This position will work to improve integrity and transparency in state government by enforcing the disclosure of finances of candidates and elected officials in state government. This person will review financial reports that may expose potential conflicts of interests of those serving in positions of authority. This position serves as the Financial Disclosure Filings Analyst within the Bureau of Elections, Michigan Department of State. The Section is responsible for administering and enforcing the Personal Financial Disclosure Act, Lobbyist Registration Act, and Michigan Election Law. The Analyst will support the Section’s functions through research and analysis of disclosure reports, personal finance statements, and lobby expenditure reports, with emphasis on working to address deficiencies and correct noncompliant filings and take enforcement actions when required. This position will also develop and update training materials and user manuals; and providing training to the regulated community. Salary: $47,923.20 – $77,916.80 Annually. Deadline: May 12. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here. 

Deputy Director, Davie County, North Carolina – Performs clerical functions, voter registration procedures, and other election-related tasks in the daily operations of the Davie County Board of Elections, as may be assigned by the Director or Chair/members of the Board of Elections. Reports to the Elections Director and the Chair and members of the Davie County Board of Elections. Regular, predictable, full attendance is an essential function of the job. Essential Job Functions: Perform multiple functions simultaneously. Independently implement instructions delegated by the Elections Director. Perform day-to-day operations, including data entry and maintenance of voter files. Exercise considerable tact and courtesy in the course of the extensive public contact of this office and the dissemination of information to news media, political parties, candidates, and the general public. Remain politically impartial, following the statewide regulations on political activities for county board of elections employees. Other duties as assigned. Salary: Minimum hiring rate $39,000. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here. 

Election Protection Hotline Specialist, Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law– Are you passionate about safeguarding democratic processes? Join us as an Election Protection Hotline Specialist! This pivotal role involves collaborating with hundreds of legal volunteers to address voter concerns reported to the 866-OUR-VOTE hotline. As part of our dynamic hotline infrastructure team, you’ll be at the forefront of managing day-to-day operations. Expect a fast-paced environment, multitasking, and a commitment to early mornings, evenings, and weekends. Embrace the opportunity to learn and employ cutting-edge technology. Responsibilities of the Election Protection Hotline Specialist include but are not limited to: Support the Election Protection contact center, ensuring top-notch assistance to voters using the 866-OUR-VOTE hotline. Organize schedules and workflows for numerous legal volunteers, ensuring exceptional assistance and collecting essential data. Craft volunteer communications such as newsletters and emails, and promptly respond to volunteer inquiries. Maintain proper staffing levels based on anticipated call volumes and direct volunteers to necessary resources. Aid volunteers with technical queries related to Twilio, Rocket Chat, Okta, and troubleshoot connectivity and login issues. Collaborate on updating voting rights reference materials and conduct volunteer training. Conduct research to enhance resources addressing caller questions and update volunteer references.Monitor interactions in the Election Protection database to ensure information accuracy and identify trends. Create daily reports summarizing call data to inform Election Protection coalition activities.Identify and engage volunteers for leadership roles and assist in post-election analysis. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here. 

Elections and Democracy Fellow, Center for Democracy & Technology– The Elections and Democracy Fellow will contribute to the organization’s work across these issues, particularly focusing on threats to the online information environment. The position requires a combination of research and advocacy skills to respond to emerging issues. Responsibilities: Conducting research on key issues impacting the information environment around elections, in order to raise awareness about vulnerabilities, highlight best practices, and develop/disseminate recommendations for generative AI companies, social media platforms, election officials, political campaigns, and other actors. Authoring policy papers, reports, blog posts, and similar materials. Engaging directly with technology companies to develop best practices and policy recommendations. Serving as a resource to federal and state governments and political campaigns as they enact new policies and practices on the use of generative AI in political advertising and campaigning. Coordinating advocacy efforts with other civil society organizations that have a shared interest in elections and democracy and the online information environment. Assisting with tracking and analyzing federal and state proposals to regulate generative AI and other elections-related legislation. Convening and engaging with technical experts, election vendors, election officials, voting and democracy advocates, academics and other stakeholders working on issues within the project’s scope. Supporting research, preparation, and operationalization of trainings for election officials and other stakeholders. Collaborating with CDT’s teams focused on free expression/online platform governance; technology & disability rights; AI governance, and consumer privacy; as well as CDT’s Research team and non-resident Research Fellows. Salary $65K-$105K. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here. 

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

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

Information Technology Security Analyst, Illinois State Board of Elections– The Information Technology Security Analyst reports directly to the Manager of Cyber Operations and Infrastructure. Supports the administration, implementation, review, and improvement of endpoint, network, hardware, application, and data security practices. Implements, supports, and monitors the agency’s information security services and applications, including email and web gateways, endpoint security, network firewalls, intrusion prevention systems, SIEM, data loss prevention, multi-factor authentication, CASB, EDR, threat intelligence resources, etc. Monitors system dashboards and logs for threat indicators. Analyzes data and performs necessary incident response procedures. Assists with the continuous improvement of SOAR capabilities. Conducts network, system, and application vulnerability assessments. Implements and documents compliance to NIST CSF and the Center for Internet Security (CIS) Controls frameworks. Analyzes agency threat landscape. Utilizes CIS benchmark configurations and work with agency stakeholders to help drive system and application hardening efforts. Evaluates agency processes and implements and/or makes recommendations to enhance security and reduce risk.  Reviews and responds to information received concerning threat events from end users, federal, state, county and local agencies as well as external entities such as the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center (MS-ISAC), Elections Infrastructure Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EI-ISAC), trusted security vendors, law enforcement agencies, and public information sources. Consults with SBE staff on security issues.  Provides a high level of customer service to agency staff, state, county, and local election officials. Ensures service desk queues and incidents are handled in an appropriate and timely manner. Service desk ticket resolutions are thoroughly documented and knowledge base articles are maintained. Develops, maintains, monitors and supports the agency’s security awareness program including training modules, assessments, phishing and remedial training. Continuously reviews emerging information received from federal, state, county, local agencies, and trusted cybersecurity vendors to ensure awareness content aligns with agency needs. Continues education by attending training sessions, seminars, and conferences to increase familiarity with and maintain current knowledge of security products, vendors, techniques, and procedures. Research security enhancements and make recommendations to management. Participates in cybersecurity-focused organizations.  Monitors on-line information security related websites, blogs, articles, reports as well as other security intelligence sources to keep up-to-date on the latest threats, IOCs and trends.  Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above. Provides off-hours support as required. Salary: $5,417. – $10,713.  Deadline: May 31. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here. 

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

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

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

Outreach and Engagement Specialist, CEIR (Texas)– CEIR is seeking a professional and dynamic Outreach and Engagement Specialist to join our team. The ideal candidate will be responsible for building and maintaining relationships with election officials, legal professionals, and other community stakeholders, coordinating outreach initiatives, and driving engagement strategies across Texas. This position requires frequent in-state travel and occasional out-of-state travel. Key Responsibilities: Develop and implement outreach and engagement strategies to increase awareness of CEIR’s programs and services, with a special focus on EOLDN. Build and maintain relationships with community organizations, local leaders, the legal community, and other stakeholders to foster collaboration and support. Plan and execute outreach events, workshops, and presentations to engage with election officials and the pro bono legal community. Create compelling outreach materials, including one-page overviews, presentations, and digital content. Monitor and evaluate outreach efforts to measure effectiveness and identify areas for improvement. Collaborate with internal teams to align outreach activities with organizational goals and objectives. Represent CEIR at community events, conferences, and meetings to promote its mission and initiatives. Salary Range: $65,000-85,000. Deadline: May 15. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here. 

Program Associate, Certification, Center for Tech and Civic Life– As a Program Associate at CTCL, you will help to develop a program to assess, recognize, and celebrate outstanding performance by election departments nationwide. As part of your work, you’ll collaborate with internal and external partners, including election officials and subject matter experts. You’ll report to a Senior Program Manager in the Government Services department. Responsibilities: Collaborate on program development – Work closely with teammates to assist in developing key elements of the certification program. Plan, draft, share, and revise materials. Prioritize equity in all contributions, supporting the certification program to be accessible to election departments regardless of size, technical capacity, or financial resources center the needs of priority audiences – voters who are newly eligible, have limited English proficiency, live with disabilities, or are from communities that are impacted by the digital divide or historical disenfranchisement due to race. Engage key stakeholders – Coordinate with election officials, subject-matter experts, external partners, and internal teammates to support program development and implementation. Provide regular updates to stakeholders on the program’s development, operation, and outcomes. Research – Gather information about election administration and certification systems to help inform the Certification program. Synthesize findings and share learnings with internal and external stakeholders. Salary: $58,914 per year. Deadline: May 16. 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. 

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

Rules and Hearings Coordinator, Oregon Secretary of State– We have one full-time Limited Duration opportunity in the Elections Division at the Secretary of State located in Salem expected to continue through June 30, 2025. At this time, the position is Limited Duration through June 30, 2025, and the agency is planning to request for continued funding into future biennia.  If future funding is secured, the appointment may become permanent. In this role, you will work with program experts to write and update administrative rules and manage external stakeholder engagement processes throughout implementation of campaign finance limits. You will also oversee contested case hearings for the Division. This is accomplished in part by, but not limited to: Working with program experts to write and update administrative rules to implement campaign finance limits. Managing external stakeholder engagement processes throughout implementation phases of campaign finance limits. Collaborating with Division subject matter experts by providing guidance on writing administrative rules. Overseeing the Division’s lay representative and contested case hearings programs. Assisting division leadership and making recommendations on strategic goals, initiatives and short- and long-term objectives related to campaign finance. Salary:  $6,016 – $ 9,243/per month Non-PERS Rate; $6,377 – $9,800/per month PERS Rate. Deadline: May 19. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here. 

Senior Counsel, Voting Rights Program, The Brennan Center– The Brennan Center’s Voting Rights Program seeks a talented attorney to join our team working to build a robust, participatory, and inclusive democracy. Reporting to the Director of the Voting Rights Program, the attorney’s focus will be to combat voter suppression and advance pro-voter reforms at the state and federal levels. Our Voting Rights Program advocates for free, fair, and accessible elections, with special focus on the ways systemic barriers impede electoral participation by communities of color. The past ten years have seen a renewed brazen and widespread assault on the right to vote. Elected officials at the highest levels have deployed disinformation and misinformation to scapegoat communities trying to assert their rightful place in the electorate. And the Capitol attack made plain that some are even prepared to reject the use of elections as the arena to contest political differences. We meet these challenges, and others, head on. We do so with partners ranging from community-based organizations to election administrators to pro bono counsel. The Brennan Center’s methods include legal and empirical research and writing, litigation, legislative and policy advocacy, media and communications, and public education. Salary:  $145,100 – $185,800. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here. 

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

Voter Systems Trainer, Arapahoe County, Colorado– The Voter Systems Trainer assists with the training of new and existing Election Division staff within the Clerk and Recorder’s office. This job provides excellent customer service, maintains a positive attitude and is an effective team player while performing a variety of complex duties associated with Arapahoe County’s Election Division and training program. Assists with developing and implementing a training plan, timeline, and procedures for training and developing Elections full time and part time staff. Serves as project manager for Agilis ballot sorting technology, mail ballot signature verification and ballot cure process, including training and process development. Independently provides assistance, guidance, and knowledge transfer to Registration Specialists, Senior Registration Specialists and Lead Registration Specialist. Serves as a designated Arapahoe County Tester for User Acceptance Trainings (UAT) and mock elections as designated by the Secretary of State. Provides written and verbal feedback while testing processes to Voter Service Manager or other partners involved in testing role. Attend calls and meetings with other State and County testers and collaborates with other partners to review system changes for potential impacts or review potential fixes to system issues to verify solutions are viable. Conducts research, identifies and resolves complex registration and database issues to improve system functionality and understanding among the election staff. Independently researches complex issues faced by election staff to analyze, determine, and propose solutions to process or system issues. May be asked to perform training related to the following departments: employee development, leadership development, election related duties, and special projects. Salary: $28.22 – $42.33 Hourly. Deadline: May 17, Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here. 

Voting Equipment Assistant Manager, Fairfax County, Virginia– Serves as the assistant manager for all voting equipment management and logistics in Fairfax County, the largest voting jurisdiction in Virginia and one of the 30 largest voting jurisdictions in the United States. Under the supervision of the Voting Equipment and Logistics Manager, plays a pivotal role in ensuring the testing, maintenance, security, and delivery of more than 1,300 ballot scanners and ballot marking devices for use at 281 early voting and election day polling places. The assistant manager is required to travel to different work locations using their own form of transportation. The ideal candidate will bring a blend of administrative acumen, logistics experience, and an understanding of general election procedures. You will work with a team of more than 50 voting equipment technicians at our office and at our warehouse to maintain and calibrate voting equipment, manage inventory, and coordinate the deployment and storage of equipment. You will be very involved in per-election Logic and Accuracy testing and repairs, developing security plans, and keeping detailed records of all maintenance and operations activities. This opportunity is perfect for an individual who thrives in a fast-paced, dynamic work environment and is dedicated to upholding the integrity and smooth operation of the voting process in Virginia. With your commitment, expertise, and diligent work, you will become an indispensable member of our Voting Equipment and Logistics division, contributing significantly to the democratic process and making a positive impact in the community. Salary: $47,663.82 – $79,439.78 Annually. Deadline: May 17. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here.

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