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Attention Active Election Center Members!
Please join one or more of the following Election Center Committees and get involved with shaping programs and policies. To join a Committee please call 281-396-4309 or e-mail services@electioncenter.org and tell us what committee(s) you would like to serve.
Program Planning Committee
The Program Planning Committee serves to provide the Election Center Executive Director and Program Director with the theme, agenda and prospective speakers during the development of each Special Workshop and National Conference. The Committee convenes via telephone and e-mail as needed.
Postal Task Force
The Postal Task Force serves as the Election Center's liaison with the United States Postal Service (USPS) to provide open and ongoing communications among the organizations and to help ensure a strong partnership that services the needs of the nation's voters in exercising their democratic rights. We meet twice per year at JEOLC in January and the National Conference in August and via e-mail with significant announcements.
Election Legislative Committee
The Legislative Committee serves as the Election Center's liaison with the United States Congressional staffers to provide open and ongoing communications to Election Center members regarding new and pending federal legislation related to elections administration and voter registration. The Committee serves at the pleasure of the Election Center Executive Director and the two Committee Co-Chairs are Travis Weipert, CERA, Johnson County Auditor, Iowa and David H. Stafford, CERA, Supervisor of Elections, Escambia County, Florida. We meet once per year at the National Conference in August and during the year via e-mail and conference calls with significant federal legislation.
ELECTION CENTER COMMITTEES
Congratulations to Derek Bowens, Director of Elections, Durham County Board of Elections, North Carolina for the Clearie Best Practice award. Derek is a 2019 CERA graduate.
2020 CLEARINGHOUSE AWARD WINNER
CERA Graduates in the News
Congratulations to Amber McReynolds!
Amber McReynolds, the chief executive officer of the nonprofit National Vote at Home Institute and the former director of elections in Denver, has been confirmed as a member of the United States Postal Service Board of Governors. Ms. McReynolds will serve on the board through December 2026. She received her CERA in August 2010. Congratulations and well wishes in her new role with the United States Postal Service Board of Governors
CERA Graduates in the News
Steve Moreno, Chair of the Board of Commissioners, Weld County, Colorado, and Election Center Board Member was recently featured in the Greeley Lifestyle Magazine recognized as “Men Making an Impact” in Weld County. Before being elected as a Commissioner, Steve was sworn in as the 28th Weld County Clerk and Recorder, in which he served three terms from 2003-2014. He also served as the Chief Deputy and Deputy Clerk for the Weld County Clerk and Recorder's Office. Steve graduated from the CERA program in August 2006.
We congratulate Steve on his recognition and service to his community and to the Election Center!
CERA Graduates in the News
“It’s a tremendous responsibility and I look forward to bearing the torch and being representative of those who preceded me,”
Marie Smalls is Certified as a Registration and Elections Administrator from the National Association of Election Officials and is also state certified by the South Carolina Election Commission. Smalls has been with the organization for 16 years. In addition to serving on several committees, she has held offices in the organization as, Secretary, 2nd Vice President, 1st Vice President and now President.
Congratulations to Marie S. Smalls, Newly Elected President of the South Carolina Association of Registrations and Elections, Inc. Marie is a 2008 CERA graduate.
CERA Graduates in the News
CERA Graduates on Tour
36th National Conference Presentations
The Election Center's 36th National Conference was held in Scottsdale, Arizona August 21st-25th 2021. Presentations from the event are now available for members to view and download.
An inspirational message from Florida Supervisors of Elections (FSE) Wesley Wilcox. Press here to download and view.
Our Democracy, Our Priority
Ritz Carlton Hotel
1250 S Hayes St, Arlington, Va 22202
Course 1. Election Administration as a System
Course 2. Management and Leadership
Two Renewal Courses TBA
Course times to be announced
Sheraton Atlanta Hotel
165 Courtland St. NE, Atlanta GA 30303
The Westin Houston
945 Gessner Rd, Houston, Tx 77024
Course 3. Budgeting and Planning
Course 4. Information Technology and Security
Two Renewal Courses TBA
Course times to be announced
STUDENT STORIES
Our CERA and CERV graduates approach election administration and voter registration from a variety of backgrounds and perspectives. Take a look as our students share their own story and experiences in our professional certification program.
CONFERENCE & EVENTS
NEWS
CERA/CERV students tour the Arapahoe County Elections Facility during the Election Center’s Professional Education Program summer session held in Greenwood, CO., the week of July 10-17, 2021.
2021 National Conference
PPP Award Winners
Category: Outstanding Innovation in Election Cybersecurity and Technology (Small Jurisdictions) Wait-Time Tracker for Early Voting
This innovative app allowed voters to locate polling places closest to them, view voting information, and see current polling place wait times. Users could also find bus routes or get GPS directions. The results from using this application were extremely positive for both election workers and voters. In the 2020 General Election, over 48% of registered voters in Durham County chose to vote early. This new service helped to alleviate crowds at busy polling places by offering alternatives, provided voters with streamlined real-time information, and fostered staffing needs for early in-person locations.
CERA Graduates in the News
Alamance County Board of Elections Director Kathy Holland was elected President of the North Carolina Association of Directors of Elections (NCADE) during the Associations recent conference. The conference was held April 27, 2021 – April 29, 2021 in a virtual format due to COVID 19.
On Thursday, April 29, 2021 County Commissioner Chairman John P. Paisley, administered the oath of office to Holland at the Alamance County Board of Elections Office. (picture attached)
The mission of the NCADE is to increase the proficiency of the Directors of Elections and staff, to enhance professionalism and improve the management practices and procedures in administering the election process.
Holland has served in various positions within the NCADE including vice-president, the nominating committee and the district representative for District 4.
Holland brings nearly 31 years of election experience to the position, serving at the Alamance County Board of Elections since June, 1990. During her tenure at the Board of Elections she has served on many committees and special projects with the State Board of Elections, some of which include the original rollout of the SEIMS (State Election Information Management System) in 1998, the inaugural Election Resource Center project, the Precinct Uniformity Projects, and the Records Retention Review Committee with the NC Department of Cultural Resources.
Holland is a Certified North Carolina Election Administrator. She received her Certified Election/Registration Administrator Certification in 2010 from The Election Center/Auburn University and completed the UNC School of Government County Administration program in 2014.
Director Kathy Holland Named President of North Carolina Association Directors of Elections (NCADE)
Alamance County
Board of Elections
May 14, 2021 - For Immediate Release
CERA Graduates in the News
Lessons Learned Resilience Going Forward
CISA Election Security Update Election Center Virtual Special Workshop
Geoff Hale, Director, Election Security Initiative, CISA
NASS Cybersecurity Initiatives
Lindsey Forson, Director of Cybersecurity Programs, National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS)
The U.S. Election Assistance Commission
Donald L. Palmer, Chair
Thomas Hicks, Vice Chair
Ben Hovland, Commissioner
Investing in Elections - Building the Resilience Agenda
Dr. Kathleen Hale, Professor, Auburn University
Dr. Mitchell Brown, Professor, Auburn University
Risk Limiting Audits (including ballot counting, reconciliation and chain of custody)
Jennifer Morrell, Consultant, Democracy Fund
2020 Census and the Redistricting Data Program
James Whitehorne,Chief – Census Redistricting & Voting Rights Data Office
Redistricting in 2021
Dr. Ryan Williamson, Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, Auburn University
Achieving Accessibility for Election Websites and Sample Ballots
Sarah Blahovec, Civic Engagement and Voting Rights Organizer
Grants to Election Officials from Private/Public Corporations: Positives and Negative
Chris Davis, Elections Administrator, Williamson County, TX
2020 To 2021: What Happened with Voting by Mail and What's to come?
Amber McReynolds, CEO | National Vote at Home Institute
Virtual Special Workshop Presentations
The Election Center Virtual Special Workshop, Lessons Learned - Resilience Going Forward was held on line February 25-26, 2021. Please see below the names of the speakers, their agencies and the various topics addressed.
Ten Things That Made the 2020 Election Cycle So Unique
Dr. Susan MacManus, University of South Florida Distinguished University Professor Emerita (Political Science) and Political Analyst
Congratulations to Armando Salud!
Armando Salud, election official from Yolo County, CA, was promoted to Deputy of Elections on 1/17/2021. Armando was appointed to his new position by the Yolo County Clerk-Recorder/Assessor and approved by the Board of Supervisors. Armando graduated from the CERA program in 2018 and is the current Chair of the Election Center’s Professional Education Program Board. He said, “I am thankful for so many who have encouraged, mentored, and believed in me; allowing me to prove my worth, dedication, and commitment to the world of election administration." The Election Center congratulates Armando on his promotion and his continued success in election administration.
Topics and Presentations
The Joint Election Officials Liaison Committee (JEOLC) was held as a Virtual Event January 14-15 2021. Please log in as a member to access the various presentations and download today.
United States Election Assistance Commission (EAC)
Commissioners: Benjamin W. Hovland, Chairman; Donald L. Palmer; Christy McCormick; Thomas Hicks
Election Official Liaison Committee Postal Service Update
Anthony Albence, CERA, Chair Postal Task Force; Dan Bentley, Principal Product Management Specialist, USPS
Elections Infrastructure ISAC: Preparing for 2020
Tammy Patrick, Senior Advisor, Democracy Fund
JEOLC Lessons Learned 2020
Julie Wise, King County Director of Elections
Investing in Elections: JEOLC 2021 Update
Dr. Kathleen Hale, Professor, Auburn University and Dr. Mitchell Brown, Professor, Auburn University
GAO: Congressional Reports Impacting Election Administration
Rebecca Gambler, Director, Homeland Security and Justice Issues, US Government Accountability Office, Washington, DC
CISA Election Security Update To JEOLC
Geoff Hale, Director of the Election Security Initiative
2020 Recap and Looking Ahead
Ben Spear, Director, EI-ISAC
Federal Voting Assistance Program JEOLC
David Beirne, Director FVAP
National Vote at Home Institute: The Future of Mail Voting
Amber McReynolds, CEO | National Vote at Home Institute
Election Reform Takeaways from 2020
Matt Weil, Director, Elections Project | Bipartisan Policy Center
CERA Graduates in the News
Tulsa Mayor recognizes David Boddie
CERA certification
David T. Boddie, Elections Official for Tulsa County Election Board in Oklahoma received his Certified Elections Registration Administrator (CERA) from the Election Center this past summer and was recently recognized for that achievement by G.T. Bynum, Mayor of Tulsa Oklahoma, commemorating his completion of the certification program and achievement as a CERA graduate. Congratulations to David for this esteemed recognition.
In commemoration of David's accomplishment, the certificate presented from Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum
We would like to congratulate Hays County, CERA graduate Jennifer Anderson and the following CERA graduates for their distinction and recognition in serving voters with disabilities in Texas; Travis County CERA graduates, Dana DeBeauvoir, Dan Roman, Monica Johns, Amanda Katzer, Bruce Elfant, Tiffany Seward, Thomas Miller and LeeAnn Castillo. From Cameron County, CERA graduate Remi Garza and from McLennen County, CERA graduate Kathy VanWolfe.
Elections Website Ranks High On Disability Access Scale
Originally Published on Corridor News Website September 24, 2020
Hays County Courthouse, San Marcos, TX – Hays County’s Elections Office was recently recognized for its website, both from the local League of Women Voters and Disability Rights Texas (DRTx).
The site ranked fifth out of all 254 Texas counties in terms of ensuring full participation in all aspects of the voting process for people with disabilities.
DRTx, under the Protection and Advocacy for Voting Access (PAVA) Program, evaluated all Texas county websites between January 2019 and January 2020. Reviewers included persons with disabilities.
Anderson invited Molly Broadway, HAVA Training and Technical Support Specialist with Disability Rights Texas, to assess the county’s Vote Centers during the application process to ensure the polling locations met Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance.
Their findings show that Hays County scored in the top five list of county websites based on the following criteria:
- If there is specific elections department information for each county,
- If that information was accessible (via screen reader), and
- If disability-specific information was provided.
Hays scored 87 percent on the assessment. The other counties in the top five were Cameron (92%), Travis (92%), Gray (89%) and McLennan (89%).
For the second consecutive year, the League of Women Voters recognized Hays County with an award for providing accurate, accessible, and useful voter information on a safe and secure election website.
The site received a rating of Outstanding for the 2020 Texas primary election website review.
“Our office is grateful to both the League of Women Voters and Disability Rights Texas for recognizing our website for being both inclusive and accurate,” Elections Administrator Jennifer Anderson said. “Every member of our staff is committed to ensuring all voters in Hays County have an equal opportunity to participate in the voting process.”
Board of Elections Employees Receive Certifications
Originally Published with the Union County Government and in The Enquirer Journal - Monroe, North Carolina October 8, 2019
Board of Elections Employees Receive Certifications Board of Elections Chairman Harry B. Crow, Jr., Juanita Reyes, Kristin Jacumin and County Commission Chairman Richard Helms at the Board of County Commission meeting on October 7, 2019
Three employees with Union County’s Board of Elections are being recognized for their achievements in earning professional certifications.
Kristin Jacumin, Director of Elections for Union County, recently earned the designation of Certified Elections/Registration Administrator (CERA), the highest professional achievement, in a ceremony conducted by The National Association of Election Officials in Orlando, Florida.
Lafourche election official to receive national certification
Originally Published in the Daily Comet Larfourche Parish, Louisiana Aug 19, 2019
Lafourche Registrar of Voters Mike Boudreaux
Lafourche Registrar of Voters Mike Boudreaux has been chosen to participate in a national accreditation program in Florida this week.
Boudreaux is traveling to Orlando to receive his certification as an elections and registration administrator, a designation earned through a multi-year course through the Election Center’s Professional Education Program, Auburn University and the University of Alabama.
Caldwell County's Elections Administrator receives CERA certification and special recognition from State Representative
Pamela Ohlendorf, a Caldwell County Elections Administrator has been participating in the Election Center's Professional Education Program over the course of several years where she has received continuing education credit from Auburn University in election administration and voter registration. Read More...
Pamela Ohlendorf holding the certificate and Texas state flag flown at the capitol in commemoration of her CERA graduation August 20, 2019
Elections director earns CERA title
Originally published in the Wapak Daily News - Wapakoneta, Ohio
Michelle L. Wilcox, Director for the Auglaize County Board of Elections will be designated as a Certified Elections/Registration Administrator (CERA) the highest professional achievement, in a ceremony conducted by the Election Center at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress, Orlando, FL at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, August 20, 2019.
CERA designation is achieved only through a multi-year course of study taught by the Auburn University MPA faculty, Auburn, Alabama and conducted by the Election Center’s Professional Education Program.
Michelle Wilcox
Arldt Earns Highest Mark
Originally published in the Lexington Leader - Lee County, Texas July 31, 2019
Carla R. Arldt, Elections Administrator for Lee County, Texas will be designated as a Certified Elections/Registration Administrator (CERA) the highest professional achievement, in a ceremony conducted by the Election Center at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress, Orlando, FL at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, August 20, 2019.
Carla Arldt, seen above, Elections Administrator for Lee County, earned her CERA.
“Lee County is indeed fortunate to have Carla as one of the top designated professionals in America. Obtaining and maintaining CERA status means that she has committed to a career long process of continuing education... Read More...
Election Workers Conflict Resolution Checklist helps election workers identify examples of typical problems and situations election workers encounter when helping voters. The checklist provides examples and strategies for a vast range of problems, from disruptive and agitated behavior to common question voters have. We thank Chris Moore, CERA graduate and Deputy Supervisor of Elections, Leon County FL for developing the checklist and making it available to the entire election community. Download your copy today!
Cyber Essentials Toolkit
Chapter 5 : Your Data, What The Business is Built On
Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency
Cyber Essentials Toolkit Chapter 5 : Your Data, What The Business is Built On
Download this toolkit from our Election Security Infrastructure area. This chapter focuses on providing leaders with an understanding of what it takes to ensure their organization’s data is secure and recoverable. Topic areas include: learning what information resides on the organization’s network; learning what is happing on the network; domain name system protection; learning how the organization’s data is protected; leveraging malware protection capabilities; establishing regular automated backups and redundancies of key systems; and leveraging protections for backups. Members login for these valuable resources.
October 15, 2020
CERA FALCULTY PUBLICATIONS
The Future of Election Administration
Mitchell Brown
Kathleen Hale
Bridgett A. King
Once again, the Election Center is pleased to announce the Palgrave Macmillan publication of The Future of Election Administration written by three of our esteemed CERA faculty at Auburn University; Mitchell Brown, Kathleen Hale & Bridgett A. King.
About this Book
Stakeholders in the operation of American elections are keenly focused on policy reform, resource allocation, administrative professionalism, voter access and accessibility, equipment security, and system integrity.
The Future of Election Administration is an edited volume that gathers the perspectives of today’s most forward-thinking practitioners and experts of policy, advocacy, and research about the importance of particular election practices, the professional and operational challenges that election administrators and voter registrars face, and emerging issues in the field. Through its combination of multiple perspectives to describe, analyze, and anticipate key dynamics and dilemmas as well as its emphasis on the practical aspects of administration, this book makes a unique contribution to the election administration literature.
About the authors
Mitchell Brown is Professor of Political Science at Auburn University, USA. Her scholarship focuses on empowerment processes for marginalized groups, including electoral strategies and program evaluation for public and nonprofit organizations. She contributes regularly to the CERA program.
Kathleen Hale is Professor of Political Science and director of the graduate program in election administration at Auburn University, USA. She serves on the Election Center’s Board of Directors and the MIT Data and Election Sciences Lab advisory board, and directs Auburn University faculty in CERA, the national professional certification program for election officials established in partnership with the Election Center.
Bridgett A. King is Assistant Professor of Political Science and director of the MPA Program at Auburn University, USA. Her research focuses on political participation, voter disenfranchisement, and citizen perceptions of the electoral system. Formerly a voting rights researcher in the Democracy Program at the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University, she contributes regularly to the CERA program.
Reviews
“This volume has assembled state-of-the-art work by some of the very best election administration scholars. With extant theory as its foundation, this work exhibits the highest of thought and evidence on many challenging topics related to voting, including federalism, resources, professionalism, technology, and even the quality of democracy itself. In doing so, this work succeeds in both contextualizing election administration in the American political climate and illuminating a path forward for future research.” (Kyle L. Saunders, Professor, Political Science, Colorado State University, USA)
“Both The Future of Election Administration and its open access companion, The Future of Election Administration: Cases and Conversations provide a much-needed framework for organizing the multiple stakeholders in the field of election science. Combined, they highlight the pressing questions in the field, the progress that has been made, the experiences on the ground that make a difference, and the future challenges we face.” (Lonna Atkeson, Professor, Political Science, University of New Mexico, USA)
The Future of Election Administration
Cases and Conversations
Edited by
Mitchell Brown
Kathleen Hale
Bridgett A. King
- Highlights practical problems, questions, and challenges for understanding, studying, and taking part in election administration
- Provides guidance from practitioners across the country on tackling the various issues faced in election administration
- Presents a series of case studies at the national, state, and local level to underscore issues and suggestions
About this book
As the American election administration landscape changes as a result of major court cases, national and state legislation, changes in professionalism, and the evolution of equipment and security, so must the work of on-the-ground practitioners change. This Open Access title presents a series of case studies designed to highlight practical responses to these changes from the national, state, and local levels. This book is designed to be a companion piece to The Future of Election Administration, which surveys these critical dimensions of elections from the perspectives of the most forward-thinking practitioner, policy, advocacy, and research experts and leaders in these areas today. Drawing upon principles of professionalism and the practical work that is required to administer elections as part of the complex systems, this book lifts up the voices and experiences of practitioners from around the country to describe, analyze, and anticipate the key areas of election administration systems on which students, researchers, advocates, policy makers, and practitioners should focus. Together, these books add to the emerging body of literature that is part of the election sciences community with an emphasis on the practical aspects of administration.
About the authors
Mitchell Brown is Professor of Political Science at Auburn University, USA.
Kathleen Hale is Professor of Political Science and director of the graduate program in election administration at Auburn University, USA.
Bridgett A. King is Assistant Professor of Political Science and director of the MPA Program at Auburn University, USA.
Reviews
“Both The Future of Election Administration: Cases and Conversations and its companion, The Future of Election Administration provide a much-needed framework for organizing the multiple stakeholders in the field of election science. Combined, they highlight the pressing questions in the field, the progress that has been made, the experiences on the ground that make a difference, and the future challenges we face.” (Lonna Rae Atkeson, Professor, Political Science, University of New Mexico, USA)
