Archive for 2019

Tippecanoe County, IN’s new clerk and some community leaders are at odds after her suggestion that the County’s ongoing acceptance of Purdue University student IDs could violate the state’s new voter ID law.

electionineWeekly’s Mindy Moretti has an amazing (and scary!) story about a recent ransomware attack that has paralyzed the City of Baltimore, Maryland – taking down city agencies including the elections office.

Meagan Wolfe was unanimously confirmed by the Wisconsin Senate yesterday to lead the state’s Election Commission – a welcome change from recent turmoil surrounding that agency. Meagan’s peers nationwide respect her skills and ability – and it’s heartening to see the legislature do so, too.

Volusia County (Daytona Beach), FL’s election supervisor is reaching out to voters after nearly 2% of mail-in ballots for the county’s first-ever countywide vote-by-mail election lack the required signatures.

Who has two thumbs and can use their phone to get a ballot? Voters in California’s Contra Costa County, that’s who – the county now offers the ability to text to obtain a vote-by-mail ballot.

North Carolina’s State Board of Elections is moving today to remove its executive director, reflecting the partisan shift on the board – and likely setting off yet another round of conflict over elections in the Tarheel State.

This week’s electionlineWeekly newsletter from Mindy Moretti features three local election offices’ community service projects for Public Service Recognition Week. Election offices already do so much for their communities year-round, but it’s gratifying to see them reaching out to serve outside the voting process.

Ryan Macias, a key technology expert at the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, has given notice and will be leaving the agency. I can’t wait to hear what he’s doing next – and, like many others, I’m worried about what his departure means for the EAC and its voting system testing and certification process.

Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill announced last Friday that he is promoting Clay Helms to state election director. He steps up to the state job at a crucial time, with preparations for the 2020 Presidential election already in full swing.

Voters would be able to track their ballots using ElectionGuard, a new set of open-source tools developed by a group headed up by Microsoft. Here’s hoping that everyone concerned (including budget writers at every level) can help get these great ideas actually into polling places – and voters’ hands – as soon as possible.