Posts by Doug Chapin

Alabama’s new law prohibiting crossover voting in primary runoffs – and the Secretary of State’s full-throated support, including jail time for violators – is creating controversy. What’s at issue isn’t “election integrity” but instead that of a political party. If Alabama really feels such a policy is necessary, it should make sure it is informing voters of the law and doing all it can to ensure that no one violates it, unwittingly or otherwise.

In a surprise move yesterday, the Kentucky State Board of Elections dismissed the state election director and deputy director without providing an explanation for the dismissals. The deputy suggested the dismissals may have been related to issues he raised about the Board’s operations, but for the time being no one knows what exactly happened in Frankfort. [UPDATED with news of the deputy’s allegations]

A Berkeley, CA postal worker was recently convicted and dismissed after last fall’s discovery that he had discarded about 100 voter guides in a recycling bin rather than deliver them. I’ll be curious to see if this (admittedly isolated) incident does anything to fuel the push to move away from printed voter guides in California.

Election officials often who feel like no one notices their work may appreciate a recent story out of Dillwyn, VA, where the town clerk’s retirement meant that none of the candidates for mayor or town council filed for re-election, resulting in an all write-in vote. It illustrates the key role that an election official can (and usually does) play in keeping local elections moving – not just for voters, but candidates as well.

If you’re in the election field and use social media, you may have noticed that election offices are getting more active – and creative! – online. electionline’s Mindy Moretti noticed the same thing and (as she does) decided to write about it for this week’s newsletter. It’s encouraging to see these offices out there doing their bit to raise the tone on social media and bring key election-related information to their voters.

The Massachusetts Legislature is currently moving a bill that will reimburse localities for their costs associated with implementing early voting. It reflects, in part, the growing acceptance of early voting in the Bay State – though it’s a little concerning that localities are being reimbursed after incurring costs rather than supporting early voting in advance. Still, it’s better than nothing.

The U.S. Election Assistance Commission has just released the latest installment in its new “EAVS Deep Dive” series – this time, taking a look at Americans’ growing use of ballots cast outside the Election Day polling place. It’s a fantastic resource – and evidence of the EAC’s effort to make EAVS data useful for the very same election officials who are required to provide it.

Maine’s legislature continues to struggle with how to implement ranked choice voting in the wake of overwhelming public support and a state Supreme Court advisory opinion raising constitutional concerns.

This weekend, a new Elections Government Sector Coordinating Council was established, giving federal, state and local election officials a greater voice in discussions about “critical infrastructure” and the nation’s election systems.

The latest electionlineWeekly features a story by Mindy Moretti about a fascinating new partnership between the West Virginia Secretary of State’s office and the state’s Air National Guard wing. Given how much cyberdefense has become a key component of many military units, it makes sense for states to create partnerships like this one to protect their election systems.