CORE VALUES

While the United States has a very decentralized election system by design across states and local jurisdictions, local election administrators operate on a common belief in democracy and a set of basic universal principles to uphold it:

• Every eligible voter has a right to vote
• Voting should be accessible
• Election results must reflect the will of the voters
• Election results are to be accurate
• The administration of elections shall be transparent and open

These shared principles guide election administrators in creating free and fair, safe and secure elections that strengthen the public’s trust in the democratic process.

Election administrators are duty-bound to report accurate results, regardless of their personal preferences, and to ensure that elections are conducted accurately, securely, and impartially, thereby reinforcing the foundations of a healthy democracy. Only the voters decide who wins a race – not election administrators, volunteers, or workers.

Even before voters weigh in, local elections administrators go above and beyond to verify every elections process is conducted in line with existing election laws and that:

• Voter rolls are well-maintained and only eligible voters are able to cast a ballot
• Election workers are well-versed on current federal, state, and local election procedures
• Ballot content is accurate, with verified ballot content displayed in every ballot style
• Adequate in-person voting locations are available and communicated clearly
• Where applicable, mail ballots are properly delivered on time within federal, state, and local requirements
• All eligible voters have appropriate access to the ballot box
• There are redundant, independent systems to ensure the election results are tabulated accurately and to ensure that all eligible votes are counted
• There is transparency and accountability so voters may have confidence in the legitimacy of the outcome in the form of official results

The public’s ability to understand how votes are tallied, how they are kept secure, and the redundant systems used to verify results are crucial in building trust in the outcome of an election. Election administrators work to communicate proactively with the public about the elections processes, to report out numbers in a timely fashion, and to facilitate legal observation and oversight of the process where possible.

Local election administrators play a critical role in facilitating voter participation by ensuring that every duly-registered and eligible voter has the opportunity and resources needed to fully engage in the election process. Their duty is to make the electoral process clear, accessible, and inclusive, regardless of political affiliation or background. Through outreach, education, and proactive communication, they guide voters in understanding how, when, where and how to cast their ballot, while also ensuring that all information is presented in a neutral and nonpartisan manner.

By actively removing barriers to participation and fostering a welcoming environment, local election administrators empower voters to exercise their civic right with confidence. Their commitment to nonpartisanship ensures that the electoral process remains fair and impartial, thereby enabling voters to focus solely on making their voices heard through their ballot. Ultimately, election administrators facilitate participation by all eligible voters while strictly following local, state and federal law, and they continually evaluate voter participation and voting experience in each election to enhance participation going forward.

The election administration community is dedicated to improving transparency, accountability, and trust in elections, while also continuously improving the process for voters. By centering the voter experience, local election administrators help remove barriers and reduce confusion so that every eligible voter who wishes to participate in the voting process has a seamless, equitable, and transparent experience throughout; thereby fostering trust in the electoral process. From voter registration to casting a ballot and certifying results, local election administrators:

• Create an environment where voting is accessible, secure, and efficient for all eligible voters.
• Communicate regularly with voters, as legally permissible, to share relevant information voters may need to exercise their right to vote clearly and timely; and so voters may make informed decisions and cast their ballot in a convenient manner.
• Ensure convenient and well-managed voting opportunities, offering a range of voting options as permitted by federal, state, and local laws to meet the diverse needs of their community.
• Ensure eligible voters may cast their ballot safely, securely and accurately, whether in person, by mail, or another method allowed by law – without undue burden on their time, and without fear or intimidation.
• Maintain the highest standards of security and accuracy in the certification of results, reinforcing public confidence in the integrity of each election.

Voters can rely on local election administrators as trusted sources of information for the administration of elections in their community. Moreover, local election administrators welcome feedback and/or suggestions for improvement to continually enhance the voter experience for all eligible voters.

Local election administrators often adapt to ensure compliance with changing technology, laws, and legal guidance. Moreover, to meet the demands of their community, local election administrators continually explore ways to streamline labor-intensive processes, facilitate transparency and access, and enable voters to make their voices heard in a fair and convenient way. Key areas of improvement include accessibility, security, safety, voter experience, efficiency, cost-savings, transparency, accountability, and trust in elections; many of which require sufficient funding to implement fully.

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has designated elections as “critical infrastructure,” and as such, election offices in jurisdictions of every size need proper funding to to accurately, securely and efficiently administer America’s election system.

Without sufficient funding, some election offices run the risk of remaining understaffed, under-resourced, and dependent on last-minute supplements of staffing or funding – which could undermine election administration and the voter experience. A lack of funding also prevents prudent professional development and succession planning as seasoned election administrators move up within the organization or retire, which directly impacts the smooth and secure functioning of the highly decentralized U.S. election system.

As the stewards of democracy, local election administrators are tasked with ensuring fair, transparent, and accessible electoral processes for millions of voters across the country. Robust funding is required to ensure that elections are well staffed, well secured, and well counted.

Local election administrators serve as stewards of democracy, upholding the integrity of the electoral process while being responsive to the diverse needs of their community. Their duty extends to ensuring voters, candidates, groups with content on the ballot, advocacy groups, elected officials, and all stakeholders have confidence in the fairness and transparency of elections.

Accessibility and availability are core responsibilities for election officials, ensuring that every eligible voter, regardless of background or circumstance, has equal access to voting opportunities. This includes clear communication about registration, voting methods, deadlines, and any changes that may affect participation. By making themselves available to answer questions, provide guidance, and address concerns in a timely manner, local election administrators create an environment where voters may feel confident and supported throughout the process.

Transparency is equally critical. Election officials strive to communicate decisions and procedures in a way that is easily understood and impartial. By providing open, factual information and responding to inquiries with fairness, they reinforce public trust in the voting system. Upholding these principles in a nonpartisan manner ensures that elections are not only conducted fairly but are perceived as fair by all members of the community, regardless of political affiliation or other demographics.

By actively engaging with the community, addressing concerns, and adapting to emerging challenges, local election administrators foster trust and encourage participation, recognizing that their administrative decisions of any given election impact not just the immediate election but the broader electoral process.