The Elections Group

Check out this week's Electionline for additional information about the Pathfinder Cohort! https://lnkd.in/d9e-6ZKU

There's still time to join us today (3/6) at noon ET for an information session, titled "Survey Says: Insights from the 2024 EVIC LEO Survey". This webinar will explore key findings from the 2024 Election & Voting Information Center (EVIC) Local Election Official (LEO) Survey, offering a deep dive into the perspectives, challenges, and priorities of election administrators across the country. Participants will gain valuable insights into how election officials view pressing issues such as election security, staffing, funding, and public trust. The discussion will highlight trends over time, emerging challenges, and the implications of these findings for future election planning and policy decisions. Panelists for the discussion are Paul Gronke, PhD, a professor of political science at Reed College and the director of Elections & Voting Information Center (EVIC), and Paul Manson, PhD, a research assistant professor at Portland State University’s Center for Public Service and the research director of Elections & Voting Information Center (EVIC). Join us for this opportunity to engage in a data-driven discussion about the state of election administration, and explore what these findings mean for the future of elections. https://lnkd.in/gqjVX7HW

#icymi our brand new custom audit explainer videos are available to request now through March 31st! This series of three short animated videos explain the what, why and how of post-election tabulation audits. Click the link to request customized videos for your office to use on social media and web to support transparency and election confidence. Each video can be customized with your office’s seal, color palette and website URL. https://lnkd.in/gRAjpJqJ

Our March newsletter is here! Click to read more about custom audit explainer videos, guidance for writing SOPs, the application process to become a part of the new Pathfinder Cohort with the U.S. Alliance for Election Excellence, and much more! Follow the link to keep reading, and be sure to click "Join Our Email List" to stay in the loop! https://lnkd.in/g_dqd_W7

🚨 Election Officials! 🚨 You can now apply to be a Center for Election Excellence! Our partners at the U.S. Alliance for Election Excellence is excited to announce the launch of the second cohort of Centers for Election Excellence - the Pathfinders! Election offices in the Pathfinder Cohort will focus on researching what it takes to achieve the standards and chart pathways for the field. They’ll help deepen understanding of what resources are required to run excellent elections, how much excellent election administration costs, and how achieving excellence impacts voters. And they’ll be first in line to pursue official recognition through the Alliance certification platform. The cohort will make improvements in their offices, tell the stories of their work, and advance the field of election administration. All U.S. local election departments are invited to apply to join the Pathfinder cohort as a Center for Election Excellence. Click the link to learn more! https://lnkd.in/guQmAdk6

Took a moment to watch the recording of Percy Glover, MSA, BA on this panel discussing confined voter programs and I must say it’s dope to watch my friend’s commitment to this work displayed on the national scale. Even though I’ve watched him operate on a local and state level, this was the first time I was able to see him move through this work with same intention, care, and unwavering belief that every voice matters — even the ones systems have tried to silence — at the national level. Access to the ballot isn’t just policy — it’s humanity. I highly recommend you give it a listen! Proud doesn’t even begin to cover it. Keep pushing, friend. The community sees you. #CivicEngagement #JusticeInAction #ProtectTheVote #HigherEdHigherStyle

Join The Elections Group on March 6 at noon ET for an information session, titled "Survey Says: Insights from the 2024 EVIC LEO Survey". This webinar will explore key findings from the 2024 Election & Voting Information Center (EVIC) Local Election Official (LEO) Survey, offering a deep dive into the perspectives, challenges, and priorities of election administrators across the country. Participants will gain valuable insights into how election officials view pressing issues such as election security, staffing, funding, and public trust. The discussion will highlight trends over time, emerging challenges, and the implications of these findings for future election planning and policy decisions. Panelists for the discussion are Paul Gronke, PhD, a professor of political science at Reed College and the director of Elections & Voting Information Center (EVIC), and Paul Manson, PhD, a research assistant professor at Portland State University’s Center for Public Service and the research director of Elections & Voting Information Center (EVIC). Join us for this opportunity to engage in a data-driven discussion about the state of election administration, and explore what these findings mean for the future of elections. https://lnkd.in/gqjVX7HW

A recording of our conversation is available now! Thank you to our panelists Domonique Clemons, the County Clerk/Register in Genesee County MI; Percy Glover, MSA, BA the Executive Director of Community Engagement with the Office of Genesee County Sheriff; and Maysa S. the Voting Accessibility Administrator with the Denver Elections Division for a great conversation! https://lnkd.in/gw9hShgH

There's still time to register for tomorrow's webinar! Follow the link to join us tomorrow at 12pm ET for a great conversation! https://lnkd.in/gaBHYKuY

Hot off the press! The official AI & Election Security Advisory Committee Final Report from the SECRETARY OF STATE, ARIZONA is here! Why this report is important: it makes recommendations *both* about how election offices can use AI as a proactive tool in election administration, and how they can use AI and other tools to fight back against AI abuses. Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes has been a pioneer in proactively planning for election security and empowering Arizona officials with technical resources and educational opportunities, and that shows through in this report. I've been a proud member of this committee for much of the past year, and it's exciting to see our work coming to fruition. From the report's recommendations: > AI & Elections Lab: Establish a learning laboratory, potentially hosted by a major university, that offers customized AI educational opportunities for election officials... > Ongoing Collaboration: Foster ongoing collaboration between election officials, technology companies, academics, civil society, and regulators... > Advanced AI Analytical Tools: Invest in advanced AI analytical tools to improve and support election administration and detect and mitigate AI-related threats. > Year-Round Educational Initiatives: Implement long-term educational initiatives to empower voters and enhance their ability to critically evaluate information. > Trainings: Election officials should conduct tabletop exercises (TTXs) to prepare for AI-risks, such as deepfakes, enhancing their preparedness and response strategies. > Incident Response Plans: Elections officials should create incident response plans that include relevant local, state, and federal contact information for relevant agencies and other partners... > Fostering healthy democratic debate between citizens and ongoing engagement: Facilitate year-round democratic engagement to build lasting connections and increase community resiliency. Other committee members: Chris Cummiskey, Cummiskey Strategic Solutions (Co-Chair) Gowri Ramachandran, Brennan Center for Justice (Co-Chair) Michael Bruter, The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) Camille Carlton, Center for Humane Technology Jacky Chang, Independent Aaron H., SocialScout, LLC Toshi Anders Hoo, Institute for the Future Rao Kambhampati, Arizona State University Tom Latkowski, The Aspen Institute Matthew Masterson, Microsoft Noah Praetz, The Elections Group Becky Waite, OpenAI Rachael Dean Wilson, German Marshall Fund of the United States Big thanks to the State of Arizona Committee Staff: Keely Varvel, C.E.R.A. C. Murphy Hebert Tonia Tunnell Michael M. Kuruvilla Mathew Aaron Thacker, M.A. JP Martin Megan C. Hammond Amy Chan Natalie C. Juli Myers #AI #Elections #AIPolicy University of California, Berkeley, Haas School of Business | California Initiative for Technology and Democracy | CITRIS and the Banatao Institute | ICSI - International Computer Science Institute