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Election News This Week

2024 Primaries: Voters in several states, including Maryland, Nebraska and West Virginia, went to the polls this week. Overall it was a smooth day on Tuesday with few reports of problems. Most eyes were probably on Nebraska which implemented photo voter ID for the first time in a statewide election. “This has been a pretty smooth day,” said Steve Smith, spokesman for Civic Nebraska, a nonprofit dedicated to protecting voter rights and democracy. “We really didn’t know what to expect.” He said earlier outreach efforts by the Nebraska Secretary of State — whom he called the “MVP” of the day — and advocacy groups appeared to have helped educate voters about requirements under the recently passed law. Douglas County Elections Commissioner Brian Kruse said poll workers haven’t seen confusion about voter ID and phone lines open for questions are quiet. “A lot of our telephone operators are sitting around playing on their phones, reading things of that nature, it’s really been pretty quiet out there, we’ve had some regular provisional envelopes so we always get questions about that,” Kruse said. Despite some concern ahead of Tuesday’s primary election, there was little confusion according to Hall County Election Commissioner Tracy Overstreet. She said the election was running smoothly in her area. “I’m a little bit surprised, because whenever you make a really substantive change after 20 years of training someone to do something, usually there’s a pretty big learning curve,” Overstreet said. “I was kind of anticipating a few more snags, maybe.” There were a few other isolated issues not related to voter ID on Tuesday. In Omaha, at least two polling places were without power for about two hours but voting was not impacted. In Douglas County, Election had to consult with the secretary of state’s office to confirm that anti abortion chalk drawings outside of a polling place was not in violation of the law because there is no issue or candidate associated with abortion in the May primary. In Maryland, where most voters chose to vote by mail instead of at in-person polling places “One of the great things about our state is that we have free and fair elections and elections that people can trust. And also we offer multiple ways for people to be able to vote, whether you want to do mail-in ballots, whether you want to do early voting, the way my wife and I voted early, or if you want to come on a rainy day like today. So, we have a lot of options,” Gov. Wes Moore said. On primary day, there were some minor issues, but they were few and far between. In Baltimore City however, several polling places failed to open at the 7am start time with the final site opening at 9:18am. The issues that delayed the start ranged from sites simply not being set up yet to a problem with a router needed to use the e-poll books. “You have people who sacrifice to make voting happen,” he said. “When we don’t open up on time, it’s very disappointing to me, … and it makes me question the process myself,” said Election Director Armstead Jones. Also in Baltimore City, an election judge refused to allow the press into a polling place where a mayoral candidate was casting her ballot–something the law allows. Jones said the judge will not be paid until she appears before the board of elections. It was also relatively quiet in West Virginia on Tuesday as well. Secretary of State Deputy Chief of Staff and Director of Communications Mike Queen told West Virginia Public Broadcasting mid-afternoon on primary election day to see what was working well and what challenges were being met. Queen said, so far, so good. He said 1,643 polling places opened this morning. “With the exception of just little glitches that you normally have, everything is going really well so far in all 55 counties.” Queen said the SOS started primary day planning 10 months ago, working with a network of 55 county clerks.  “We have 1,643 precincts online,” Queen said. “We’ve got backup generator systems with the National Guard on alert all day long in case there would be an electrical issue. The power companies are our partners on Election Day and all in with us in case there would be a problem.“ There were reports of lines in the Huntington area. Many voters heading to polling places said they see casting a primary ballot, any ballot for that matter, as a civic obligation. “Every vote is important and you need to fulfill your civic duty and come out and let your opinion be heard,” said voter Belinda Mundy. “I can remember from, as a child, my mom and dad always going to vote on Election Day. And it was a pretty big deal.”

Justice Department News: Ahead of a meeting of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Election Threats Task Force Attorney General Merrick Garland warned of mounting violent threats against election workers across the country, and vowed that the Justice Department will be “relentless” in prosecuting those who threaten the democratic process. Garland cited a handful of cases over the past several years in which poll workers in Arizona, Michigan and Georgia — swing states in the presidential election — have faced death threats. In each instance, he said, federal prosecutors won convictions against the perpetrators and sentences of up to 3½ years in federal prison. “Each of these cases should serve as a warning — if you threaten to harm or kill an election worker, volunteer or official, the Justice Department will find you and we will hold you accountable,” said Garland, flanked by Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco and FBI Director Christopher A. Wray. “The public servants who administer elections must be able to do their jobs without fearing for their safety or that of their family,” Garland said. “We will aggressively investigate and prosecute those who threaten election workers.” Since its inception in June 2021, the Election Threats Task Force has brought 17 prosecutions, scoring 13 convictions, Justice Department officials said. Among those cases, prosecutors won a guilty plea from a man who said an election worker in Michigan deserved a knife to the throat, and a conviction of a man who threatened a mass shooting against election workers in Arizona. Justice officials emphasized that they are also monitoring emerging threats, including the use of artificial intelligence to spread disinformation and propagate threats behind technology that can mask the identities of perpetrators. “Violent threats using AI are still violent threats,” Monaco said. “In these cases, the Department of Justice will seek enhanced sentences. … A threat to any election official, worker or volunteer is, at bottom, a threat to our democracy.”

Joint Reporting: After confusion in the Democratic Cook County State’s Attorney race, Chicago and Cook County election officials are looking to report joint vote totals. Officials are exploring how they can work together to report their aggregate ballot numbers in the days after Election Day following widespread confusion among voters in March’s primary election. The Chicago board tabulates ballots from voters living in the city, while the county clerk’s office counts the votes coming from constituents living in suburban Cook County. Since the two agencies operate independently, each one reports its own unofficial vote totals and number of ballots left to be counted each day after the election. The system forces voters to add the numbers together to get the full picture. Without that full picture, misinformation spread on social media about voter fraud in the State’s Attorney race. “We can only anticipate that the rhetoric is going to ramp up for November,” said Edmund Michalowski, the deputy clerk of elections for Cook County. “And when possible, we need to communicate with Chicago to make sure that we’re on the same page.” Michalowski said the two agencies will spend the coming months working out the logistics of reporting the numbers together. Max Bever, the director of public information for the Chicago Board of Elections said ideally the two sides could work out a system where the city numbers and aggregate numbers would appear side-by-side on the Chicago Board of Elections’ website. At minimum, Bever plans to add a link on the city board’s site that redirects to the county numbers.

Suffrage News: Frances Willard Munds, a suffragist, leader of the drive to give women the vote, and Arizona’s first female state senator, is now honored with a towering bronze statue. It is the first time a real woman has been memorialized at Wesley Bolin Plaza in its nearly 50 years of existence, according to Melanie Sturgeon, president of the Arizona Women’s History Alliance. “We finally broke the bronze ceiling!” Sturgeon proclaimed at a dedication ceremony. While other memorials represent women as a group, this is the first woman to be singled out for recognition on the plaza for her accomplishments. Munds became interested in the suffragist movement in the late 1890s. While raising three children, she joined efforts to secure the vote for women in what was then the Arizona territory. Munds became president of the Women’s Suffrage Association in 1909, Melcher said, bringing a “less traditional view” of the role than her predecessors.

Sticker News: The Livingston County, New York Board of Elections announced that Mount Morris Central School fifth grader Johnathan Rudney won the county’s first “I Voted” sticker design contest. Rudney’s design was chosen from five finalists by community members in April. His artwork will be featured on stickers distributed to voters and used in digital graphics to promote elections. The contest aimed to encourage local election participation and was open to Livingston County students in grades 5-12. Livingston County Board of Elections Commissioner Gary Nageldinger congratulated Rudney and thanked all participants. He emphasized the importance of educating young people about democracy. Rudney received an award at Mount Morris Central School on May 7 and will be recognized at the Board of Supervisors meeting on May 22. His design will be used until the November 2024 election.

Personnel News; Carol Brown is the new deputy city clerk for Marine, Michigan. Séan Sheehan has been hired as the new director of elections for Vermont. Cynthia Holland, director of elections for Aiken County, South Carolina, is retiring. Daniel Perez has resigned from the Sussex County, New Jersey board of elections. 

Legislative Updates

Federal Legislation: Ahead of a Senate markup this week on a trio of bills governing artificial intelligence in elections, a bipartisan group of House lawmakers on May 13 introduced companion legislation aimed at preparing election administrators for challenges posed by the technology. The Preparing Election Administrators for AI Act from Reps. Chrissy Houlahan, D-Pa., Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., Abigail Spanberger, D-Va., and Doug Lamborn, R-Colo., would require the Election Assistance Commission to team with the National Institute of Standards and Technology on a report that delivers voluntary guidelines for election administrators on the related risks and benefits of AI. Houlahan said in a press release that the legislation — the House counterpart to a March bill from Sens. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., and Susan Collins, R-Maine — aims to “strengthen trust and confidence” in the electoral system, something she called “a shared responsibility that transcends party lines.” “With the rise of artificial intelligence, we must equip our election administrators with the necessary tools and guidelines to safeguard our democratic process,” Houlahan said in a press release. “This bipartisan bill underscores our commitment to fair and secure elections by addressing the potential risks posed by AI, including misinformation dissemination and cybersecurity threats.” The bill calls on the EAC and NIST to deliver their report to Congress and state and local election offices within 60 days of its enactment. The report would also detail the cybersecurity risks of AI systems in elections. There are also callouts in the bill for the EAC and NIST to outline how election offices should respond to information generated and distributed by AI that compromises the sharing of accurate election information. The report would also detail how AI could impact the spread of election-related disinformation, undermining public confidence in the process.

Alabama: Gov. Kay Ivey (R) has signed legislation into law that bans ranked choice voting in the Yellowhammer State. SB186, sponsored by State Sen. Arthur Orr (R-Decatur), passed by a 74-28 in the House after previously clearing the Senate by a 34-1 vote last month. The legislation states that “Ranked-choice voting shall not be used in determining the election or nomination of any candidate to any local, state, or federal office,” but doesn’t apply to “electors who are entitled to vote absentee ballot under the federal Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act.” “I am proud to sign this bill which takes another step towards ensuring the confidence in our elections,” Ivey said. “As our Secretary of State Wes Allen put it, ranked-choice voting makes winners out of losers. Not only is ranked-choice voting confusing to voters, it also limits their ability to directly elect the candidate of their choice. Voting should be simple, and this complicated and confusing method of voting has no place in Alabama’s elections.” The law will take effect October 1, 2024.

Colorado: Several elections-related bills were approved during this session including: House Bill 24-1147: Colorado candidates will need to disclose if they use generative artificial intelligence in their campaign communications under this bill. It would require political candidates to clearly label advertisements that feature content generated by AI. That includes fake voices, videos and images created by a computer to look or sound like an individual, which are known as deepfakes. It is focused on identifying AI-generated political content, rather than controlling its distribution. Candidates who are subject to an undisclosed deepfake could pursue civil action under the bill. House Bill 24-1150:  After the 2020 election saw a slew of fake electors, Colorado lawmakers made it illegal to serve as a fake elector ahead of the 2024 presidential election. The law creates a fine of up to $10,000 for anyone who contributes to a fake elector scheme, and it would disqualify that person, if convicted, from holding public office in Colorado. Senate Bill 24-72: This bill would require county sheriffs to designate someone who would be responsible for informing confined individuals of their eligibility to vote and coordinating with the county clerk to set up a temporary, in-person voting center at their local county jail. The bill is the first of its kind in the nation. House Bill 24-1067:  A new Colorado law will require that access to the caucus nominating process is accessible to candidates with disabilities.  Sponsored by Rep. David Ortiz, a Littleton Democrat and the first Colorado legislator to use a wheelchair, the bill also requires that a virtual option remain available for any nominating process, as knocking on doors to gain petition signatures isn’t an accessible option for many people with disabilities. Senate Bill 24-210:  Colorado Senate President Steve Fenberg, a Boulder Democrat, led a second round of modifications to the state’s election laws. He sponsored a similar bill last year making changes to Colorado election law.  One significant change would recalibrate the number of people who serve on a party’s vacancy committees — which select candidates for state House and Senate seats in the event of an opening — to ensure better proportionality across various districts. The 56-page bill makes many small changes to Colorado’s election code and the Fair Campaign Practices Act. Another change allows voters to file a complaint if they suspect a public official isn’t complying with financial disclosure requirements.

Michigan: The Michigan House Elections Committee heard testimony this week about Senate Bills 603 and 604, which would modify the recount process, filing fees for recounting and sentencing guidelines for certain Michigan election law violations that deal with recounts. Senate Bill 603 would allow recounts of precincts that have a mismatch between the number of ballots and the ballots issued to voters recorded in a polling place’s log or the ballots that were tabulated. If a candidate for office files for a recount petition, that candidate must file that recount petition in good faith and the number of votes requested to be recounted must at minimum be greater than the difference in votes between the petitioning candidate and the winning candidate, Chang said. Senate Bill 603 also clarifies that county canvassers would not investigate fraud. Senate Bill 603 would also raise recount filing fees. This would not only help boards of canvassers better afford recounts, but discourage candidates and ballot question committees from requesting recounts for elections with wide margins, in which a recount was unlikely to change the result of an election, the bill says. The panel did not vote on the bills

New Jersey: A bill that would allow voters to vote in any polling place in their municipality on Election Day was approved by a legislative committee this week with bi-partisan support and now awaits consideration by the full Senate. The Voter Convenience Act accepts the realities of new technology: the old-fashioned, heavy, original voter registration books that once had to be transported to each polling location have been replaced by electronic poll books, aka tablets, linked to a central database, making it possible for voters to go the local polling place of their choice. The bill would also establish countywide polling locations. But under the terms of the bill, sponsored by State Sens. James Beach (D-Voorhees) and Nellie Pou (D-North Haledon),  county election officials could opt not to participate, leaving voters in one county with more flexibility than those in another county. The Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee approved the bill in a 5-0 vote, with Republicans James Holzapfel (R-Toms River) and Vince Polistina (R-Little Egg Harbor) voting with Democrats John McKeon (D-West Orange), Shirley Turner (D-Lawrence), and Beach. A companion bill in the Assembly, sponsored by Assemblyman Avi Schnall (D-Lakewood) and others, is awaiting action by the State and Local Government Committee.

Legal Updates

Arizona: A Maricopa County Superior Court judge has dismissed a lawsuit by Republicans who sought to have Arizona’s election procedures manual declared invalid, marking the defeat of one of three challenges seeking to throw out parts of the state’s guide for conducting elections. In a ruling released May 14, the judge threw out a lawsuit filed by the Republican National Committee, the Republican Party of Arizona, and the Yavapai County Republican Party that alleged the period for public comment on the manual was too short. The challenge also asked the court to block enforcement of certain portions of the manual. The court concluded that Democratic Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, who had created the manual as the state’s chief election officer and who was targeted in the lawsuit, had complied with Arizona’s notice-and-comment requirements. Fontes’ office stood by the manual in a statement. “We used this manual to effectively run the presidential preference election in March and will continue using the EPM to ensure fair elections in the upcoming primary and general” elections, the statement said. Two other lawsuits challenging the manual remain alive in Maricopa County Superior Court.

Florida: The Florida Rights Restoration Coalition and individual plaintiffs have dropped a federal lawsuit challenging how the state carried out a 2018 constitutional amendment aimed at restoring voting rights of felons who have completed their sentences. The lawsuit, filed in July 2023, described a “bureaucratic morass” encountered by felons trying to find out if they were eligible to vote. State and local election officials asked Chief U.S. District Judge Cecilia Altonaga to dismiss the case, which was filed in Miami. The parties engaged in mediation on May 6. Florida Department of State officials on Friday published an announcement saying they intend to hold a rule-development workshop to update the process for felons to seek what are known as advisory opinions about their voting eligibility. The yet-to-be-developed rules “may render plaintiffs’ claims moot,” mediator Michael Hanzman wrote in a report filed Monday. “Plaintiffs have therefore decided to voluntarily dismiss their case without prejudice and may re-file their case if the rulemaking, or subsequent implementation of any adopted rule, fails to alleviate their concerns,” he added.

Illinois: Lake County Associate Circuit Judge Daniel Jasica gave the company that publishes far-right websites and flyers designed to look like newspapers until 5 p.m. May 13 to remove some personally identifiable voter information it publicly posted earlier this year in apparent violation of state law. In an order issued last week in response to a complaint from Democratic Attorney General Kwame Raoul, the publishers of the so-called “pink slime” publications must remove registered voters’ full birthdates and street addresses from their websites. That is consistent with publicly released state voting information under federal law. The publications also are enjoined from posting additional voter lists that include full birthdates and street addresses until at least June 7, when a hearing is scheduled on the matter, according to the order issued by Lake County Associate Circuit Judge Daniel Jasica and agreed to by the publishers, Local Government Information Services. LGIS publishes the flyers and websites throughout Illinois with names that attempt to make them appear to be newspapers, such as the “Chicago City Wire,” the “DuPage Policy Journal” and the “Will County Gazette.” But the websites and print products publish little more than poor-quality content disguised as news that pushes far-right political candidates and their agendas, earning the publications the “pink slime” moniker. Illinois State Board of Elections officials said they received dozens of complaints after the LGIS publications posted the names, addresses and birthdates of voters by precinct, including whether they had voted, using voting lists from 2016 and 2020 that by law are only to be used by political organizations and not for other purposes. The data isn’t supposed to be shared with outside organizations. LGIS is operated by Brian Timpone, a long-ago Illinois House Republican spokesman who has launched dozens of “pink slime” publications in Illinois and across the country. 

Maine: U.S. District Court Justice John A. Woodcock Jr. dismissed Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s lawsuit against Secretary of State Shenna Bellows this week. Kennedy filed the lawsuit in February after his campaign was barred from collecting signatures from voters during the March 5 presidential primaries. Bellows, a Democrat, cited a provision in state law that prohibits people from trying to influence voters’ decisions regarding a candidate for an office that is on the ballot that day within 250 feet of a polling place. She said Kennedy’s campaign would be allowed to collect signatures during the state and congressional primaries being held on June 11. Bellows’ office asked Woodcock to dismiss the lawsuit in mid-March. A response from Kennedy’s team was due in April, but it missed that filing deadline. On Monday, Woodcock dismissed the lawsuit on procedural ground while accepting Bellows’ arguments.

Michigan:  Michigan Court of Claims Judge Christopher Yates  said this week that he is putting a decision on a legal challenge to state election guidance on a fast track. Yates said he expects to issue a ruling right in the next couple of weeks on the challenge to guidance from Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson on processing absentee ballots and verifying signatures on absentee ballot forms against signatures on file with election clerks. The Democratic secretary of state says it’s necessary to implement a voting rights amendment to the Michigan Constitution that passed in 2022. The Republican National Committee is among the plaintiffs challenging the guidance. Assistant Attorney General Heather Meingast represented the secretary of state in Monday’s Court of Claims arguments. She said the guidance will help local clerks know what to look for when they’re comparing signatures on ballot sleeves against what is on file. “That’s exactly what this rule does — it fills in some gaps, giving clerks some understanding of discrepancies and significant dissimilarities,” Meingast said. “Otherwise, you have nothing. There’s zero guidance on what’s a significant discrepancy.” The plaintiffs include the Republican National Committee, the Michigan Republican Party, a township clerk and others. They argue the guidance puts a spin on the rules that leaves too much room for mistakes or mischief.

Nevada: The Biden campaign is getting involved in another Nevada election lawsuit, challenging the legal merit and intent of a Republican effort to object to the deadline for how long mail ballots can be accepted after Election Day in the Silver State. The Republican National Committee (RNC), the Donald Trump campaign and the Nevada GOP filed suit in early May challenging the state’s law permitting the acceptance of mail ballots up to four business days after polls close, so long as the ballots are postmarked before Election Day. The RNC alleges that the practice does not conform with the federally established deadline of Election Day. In a motion to dismiss the case filed May 14 and shared with The Nevada Independent, the Democratic National Committee (DNC), with the support of the Biden campaign, note that Nevada is one of several states that have such a policy, which has been held up around the country in other court challenges. This is the Biden campaign’s second legal challenge to Republican lawsuits of the cycle; earlier this month, it filed an amicus brief to support the Nevada secretary of state after the RNC sued the state over alleged inconsistencies in counties’ voter rolls. In both legal filings, the Biden campaign argued that the Republican lawsuits are legally unserious and an effort to undermine confidence in the electoral process before it begins.

New York: A state appellate court upheld universal mail-in voting for the state May 9, finding that the state’s constitution places no hard limits on who can cast an absentee ballot.  “The fact remains that, in its current form, the NY Constitution contains no requirement — express or implied — mandating that voting occur in-person on election day,” Justice Michael C. Lynch of the New York Supreme Court Appellate Division’s third judicial department wrote in the court’s order. The court affirmed the Supreme Court in Albany County’s decision to dismiss a complaint brought by Republican lawmakers and operatives which argued that the New York Early Mail Voter Act was unconstitutional.  The act — which allows any New York voter to request and submit a mail-in ballot — was signed in to law in September 2023 and has already been applied to the state’s April 2nd presidential primary.  Plaintiffs argued that the law violated an article in the state constitution that allows for the legislature to provide for absentee voting, but lays out a number of conditions, like absence or disability, which might justify such voting. The challengers argued that this article afforded for absentee voting only if one of those conditions was met.  Lynch found that argument unconvincing. He pointed to the history of the clause as evidence against the plaintiffs’ interpretation of it. It was enacted, he noted, by a constitutional amendment in response to a Civil War push to allow Union soldiers to vote absentee.  Subsequent amendments in the early 20th century made numerous changes to the section, each framed as efforts to increase voter participation.  He disagreed with the plaintiffs’ argument that these amendments, by expressing who is entitled to vote absentee, excludes others from also voting by mail.

North Carolina: According to Wake County Superior Court Judge Vincent Rozier there’s insufficient evidence to back up allegations of vote-buying in Robeson County during the March primary elections. In the Democratic primary for a seat on the Robeson County Board of Commissioners, the losing candidate, Lacy Cummings, challenged the apparent victory of incumbent Commissioner Judy Sampson. Cummings claimed that another county commissioner, Wixie Stephens, paid people to vote for Sampson. The Robeson County Board of Elections previously threw out Cummings’ allegations of vote-buying in April. He then appealed the county’s decision to the State Board of Elections, which also threw out his complaint. So Cummings sued the state elections board, trying to halt the official election certification process that would declare Sampson the winner of the race. Rozier denied Cummings’ request in the new order, writing that “he is unlikely to prevail” in providing proof of his vote-buying allegations.

Texas: An en banc Fifth Circuit examined Galveston County’s redistricting maps this week, in a case where Black and Latino voters claim the maps are racially gerrymandered.  The full bench of the New Orleans-based federal appeals court heard arguments from the county and the plaintiffs, which include the voters, several local NAACP branches, the League of Latin United American Citizens and the Biden administration.  Together, the plaintiffs claim the Galveston County Commissioners Court redistricting map, adopted in 2021, eliminated a precinct in which Black and Latino residents voted as a coalition in favor of a Democratic candidate. For 24 years, Stephen Holmes was that candidate. He represented the area and served as the county’s only Black Democratic commissioner.  This past October, U.S. District Court Judge Jeffery Brown, a Donald Trump appointee, determined the new maps were a “textbook example of racial gerrymandering” and ordered them to be redrawn.  The county commissioners appealed and secured a stay of Brown’s ruling. An en banc panel of the Fifth Circuit ruled this past December that the maps could not be redrawn on the eve of primary and general election voting in 2024. The case made its way up to the U.S. Supreme Court, where a majority of the justices declined to intervene and gave no reasoning for their decision. In dissent, the court’s three liberal justices said they would have stepped in and blocked the map from being used.

Wisconsin: U.S. District Judge James Peterson shut down a lawsuit from four state voters trying to get rid of a state election law requiring a witness for those casting absentee ballots. In their Oct. 2023 complaint, voters Susan Liebert, Anna Haas, Anna Poi and Anastasia Ferin claimed that a state law requiring a U.S. adult citizen to physically witness, certify and sign an absentee ballot violates the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and Civil Rights Act of 1964. The requirement created a disenfranchising burden, those voters said, especially for voters who are disabled, members of a minority group, recently naturalized or students. Peterson found those claims unavailing. He denied the voters summary judgment and instead granted it to the defendants, which included the members of the bipartisan Wisconsin Elections Commission, three municipal clerks and the intervening Wisconsin Legislature. In all the years since Wisconsin began using the requirement in some form in the 1960s, no one had used federal law to make the plaintiffs’ novel claims. “The long silence is telling,” the judge wrote in his opinion. “It may be debatable whether the witness requirement is needed, but it is one reasonable way for the state to try to deter abuse such as fraud and undue influence in a setting where election officials cannot monitor the preparation of a ballot,” Peterson added. The judge felt the plaintiffs were reading Wisconsin law too expansively and applying federal law too broadly. Among other claims, the plaintiffs said the witness requirement unlawfully puts witnesses and clerks in the position of certifying that a voter is eligible and qualified to vote.

Opinions This Week

National Opinions: Voter fraud, II | Noncitizen voting | Ranked choice voting | Election deniers 

Connecticut: Early voting 

Iowa: Trusted information 

Kentucky: Ex-felon voting rights | Voting rights 

Maryland: Poll workers

Nebraska: Poll workers  

Nevada: Voter fraud 

New York: Vote by mail 

North Carolina: Voter ID

Pennsylvania: Election legislation 

Texas: Tarrant County 

Upcoming Events

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

List Speak: Strategies and Resources for Communicating About List Maintenance Practices: Register today and join The Elections Group for a webinar to discuss strategies and resources for communicating about list maintenance best practices. This webinar will be held at noon ET on Tuesday, May 21, and will be guided by The Elections Group’s CEO Jennifer Morrell and include Rhode Island’s Rob Rock and Quinn Raymond from Protect Democracy.  When: May 21, 12pm 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. 

Briefing: New messaging research on voter confidence & trustworthy elections: You’re invited to learn about new key findings from messaging research that Verified Voting led this spring—conducted by Lake Research Partners—that will inform strategies for communicating about secure and trustworthy elections in 2024 and beyond. The research included focus groups with voters from a range of political backgrounds in battleground states, interviews with election officials from across the country, and a national survey. When: May 29, 1pm Eastern. Where: Online

A Real Discussion About Election Integrity: It’s time to get real! With the November 2024 Election looming on the horizon and debate by many over the integrity of our voting system – including voter registration misinformation, questions over the reliability of tabulation equipment, delays in reporting, the quality of early voting, false claims about the 2020 Election and more – The Integrity Project is please to present this special conversation by a panel of experts with decades of experience in the genre. The event is co-hosted by the University of Wisconsin’s Elections Research Center. Dr. Barry Burden – Moderator Speakers: Dr. Nate Persily, Sec. Kim Wyman, Sec. Trey Grayson and Tammy Patrick. When: May 31, 1pm Eastern. Where: Online

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

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

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. 

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 Manager, San Diego County– The Elections Manager class is a professional, second level management class responsible for identifying, evaluating, and resolving organizational and administrative challenges or inefficiencies, including recommending changes in policies and procedures and developing methods for implementation. The ideal candidate will plan, coordinate, and manage, through subordinate supervisors, the activities of employees engaged in performing election related services of a specialized section within the Precinct Services, Voter Services or Election Services divisions. Salary: $81,328.00 – $98,841.60 Annually. Deadline: May 22. Application: For the complete job 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. 

Election & Registration Services Supervisor, Virginia Dept. of Elections–The Elections & Registration Services Supervisor manages Election and Registration Services staff, regular communications with local election officials, and election administration activities. Provides project management and process analysis in the area of election administration and systems. Ensures compliance with agency and Board policies, regulations and governing laws for the administration of elections in the Commonwealth. Manages and provides support to localities for election administration processes and questions. Develops, coordinates, delivers and maintains current user documentation to ensure the uniformity, fairness, openness and legality of elections in Virginia. Salary:Hiring Range: Up to $95,000. Deadline: May 31. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here. 

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

Elections & Recording Manager, Lane County, Oregon– In Lane County, the County Clerk serves as the County’s Chief Election and Recording Official. As the Elections and Recording Manager, under the direction of the County Clerk, you will be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of both the Election and Recording offices. This role involves planning and administering all federal, state, and local elections for 300,000 registered voters in Lane County, Oregon, where all elections are conducted by mail. Key Responsibilities: Manage the day-to-day operations of the County Clerk’s Office, including: Administering all Federal, State, and local elections. Maintaining the voter registration of 300,000 active Lane County voters. Recording real property records, including indexing and document retention. Issuing marriage licenses and domestic partnerships. Coordinating civil ceremonies. Overseeing the Property Value Appeals Board process. Administering the Archives Program. Developing, administering, and monitoring the Clerk’s Office budget. Providing expert guidance to other departments, the general public, and other agencies. Salary: $78,312.00 – $115,128.00 Annually. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here. 

Elections & Recording Supervisor, Lane County, Oregon– Lane County is hiring a Program Supervisor to work in the County Clerk’s office. The County Clerk’s office conducts local, state, and federal elections, maintains the voter registration database for Lane County electors, issues marriage licenses and domestic partnerships, records real property and other documents, and supports the Property Value Appeals Board. The ideal candidate will be a confident team leader who possesses a proven track record of integrity and a commitment to excellence. If you have exceptional communication skills and strong attention to detail, we encourage you to apply! This is a fully performing professional level in the assigned field or discipline requiring specialized technical skills and a solid knowledge of principles and practices in the program area. Incumbents have professional responsibility for coordinating program activities; serving as a liaison and/or advocate to internal/external customers; and assisting in program policy and procedure development, ensuring compliance with regulatory guidelines, and/or contract management. Incumbents may have formal supervisory responsibilities over professional, technical and/or support staff. The successful candidate is expected to be or become a subject matter expert in voter registration and the conduct of elections and Deeds & Records. Salary: $72,176.00 – $106,184.00 Annually. Deadline: May 27. 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. 

List Maintenance Data Quality Analyst, Virginia Dept. of Elections– The List Maintenance Data Quality Analyst is responsible for measuring the validity, completeness, accuracy, and reliability of data sources used for voter registration list maintenance. The Analyst will develop, define, and document standard measures to assess the quality of ELECT data sources. The Analyst will utilize advanced data analysis tools and methodologies to evaluate data sources used for list maintenance against those measures and present findings in narrative reports, presentations, and data visualizations. The Analyst will coordinate with internal stakeholders and external data partners to proactively identify, quantify, document, and remediate data quality concerns in a timely manner. The Analyst will serve as the lead coordinator within ELECT IT of list maintenance activities involving other states. The Analyst will contribute to an annual review of all Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with ELECT’s data partners and summarize data quality findings in the Annual List Maintenance Report. The Analyst will assist in the development of policies, standards, and procedures related to list maintenance data sources, as well as data analysis and data profiling practices at ELECT. Lastly, the Analyst will serve as the backup for the List Maintenance Programmer Data Analyst. Salary: Hiring Range: Up to $110,000. Deadline: May 27. 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. 

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. 

Senior Program Associate, The Carter Center– Support the U.S. Election Project within the Democracy Program, including design and implementation of multi-faceted activities related to election reform and election observation, including partnership building, training development and implementation, budget management, fundraising, and monitoring, evaluation and learning. May conduct applied research, manage program publications, supervise consultants and interns, and other project(s) responsibilities as assigned. The Senior Program Associate will report to the Associate Director of the Democracy Program or her designee. Due to travel requirements, Hostile Environment Awareness Training (HEAT) may be required. Formal Job Description: Designs, implements, coordinates operational facets of a specific program and its related activities. Manages work plans that are designed to accomplish program goals and objectives, and implements changes for improvement and efficiency. Makes decisions on behalf of the program based on critical analyses of operational/statistical reports, financial data and budget forecasts, and outside trends and factors related to the program. May plan, administer or monitor the program’s budget, financial management, and/or grants. Takes a leadership role on program-related committees and teams. May develop fund raising initiatives, including researching and identifying funding sources and writing and submitting grant proposals. Conducts program research and ensures that mandatory operational and statistical reports are fact-based and comply with regulations. Serves as liaison with other groups and organizations participating in the program or seeking knowledge of the program, and may write and give speeches/presentations at conferences, university functions, or before various boards. May supervise staff. Ensures that complete and accurate program records are kept and maintained. Performs related responsibilities as required. Application: For the complete job listing and to apply, click here. 

Support System Analyst, Virginia Dept. of Elections– The Systems Support Analyst ensures the integrity of the electoral process through providing tier two technical support services for all agency systems to election administration officials and agency staff. Assists the agency in the creation and maintenance of system user documentation and training. Develops knowledge and functional area expertise of agency business processes. Oversees the agency tier one vendor. Reviews monthly reports from the vendor, ensures tickets are transferred from the vendor to the agency on a timely basis. Ensures agency tickets are assigned to appropriate staff for resolution. Reports to management on ticket statistics for both tier one and tier two tickets. Works to increase the ability for the tier one vendor to resolve more tickets during the first contact by the customer, reducing the number of tier two tickets. Participates in teams and maintains positive, professional relationships with colleagues and customers. Demonstrates initiative, timeliness, self-professional development and strong oral and written communication skills. Salary: Hiring Range: Up to $85,000. Deadline: May 27. 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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