Continuing Threats to Free and Fair Elections

Elections are more than ballots, polling places, and voting machines. The human component of administering elections was exposed to unthinkable stress and attack during the 2020 cycle. It nearly reached the breaking point.

Whether it was persistent and recurring misinformation and disinformation, threats to the personal safety of full-time and volunteer elections office staff, or challenges to the independence of the voting process by political actors, our country is hurtling towards a cliff of retirements of the people who understand voting more than any others. Without dedicated and knowledgeable staff ready and willing to run elections, easy access to a secure ballot cannot be guaranteed for anyone.

This event is produced in partnership with the Bipartisan Policy Center and the Harvard Kennedy School Ash Center.

SPEAKERS PART 1, ELECTION OFFICIALS AND ELECTIONS UNDER ATTACK

• Natalie Adona, Assistant Clerk-Recorder/Registrar of Voters, Nevada County
• Katie Harbath, Elections Fellow, Bipartisan Policy Center
• Gowri Ramachandran, Democracy Program Counsel, Brennan Center for Justice
• Al Schmidt, City Commissioner, Philadelphia
• Moderator: Matthew Masterson, Non-resident Policy Fellow, Stanford Internet Observatory

SPEAKERS PART 2, ELECTION OFFICIAL INDEPENDENCE AND SUSTAINABILITY:

• Lisa Danetz, Independent Consultant, Brennan Center for Justice
• Chris Hollins, Former Clerk, Harris County
• Aaron Ockerman, Executive Director, Ohio Association of Election Officials
• Justin Roebuck, County Clerk, Ottawa County