Principles - Committee for Safe and Secure Elections

The Committee for Safe and Secure Elections features cross-partisan experts in election administration and law enforcement who aim to support policies and practices that protect election workers and voters from violence, threats, and intimidation. Our members often advise lawmakers about public policies that could support of our mission. Below are principles that we believe should inform policy solutions in this space.

Read the full policy paper here.

Ensure adequate resources, security, and training to address emerging threats to election workers

Election workers across the country have emphasized the importance of adequate funding to ensure the safety of election officials and workers and the security of the elections they oversee. While the specific needs differ by location, a vast majority agree that continued funding is necessary to maintain safe and secure elections.

Protect the privacy of election workers and their families as a defense against threats

We believe it is important to strike a balance between the need for electoral transparency and personal privacy for election officials. Protecting confidentiality and personally identifying material is critical in a heightened threat environment.

Promote meaningful accountability for perpetrators of threats

Threatening or attacking election workers and voters is unacceptable, and holding perpetrators accountable is critical to deterring such behavior in the future. We support increased dialogue between election administrators, law enforcement and policy makers about the nature of existing and potential threats, specific laws on the books for addressing them, ways to reduce public misinformation, and opportunities to improve our response to this problem.

Increase access to data about threats against election workers to support policy solutions

It is important that there be publicly accessible mechanisms for tracking reported threats, identifying patterns in threat data, and summarizing actions taken on reported threats.

Contact

To contact the Committee and its Members, please e-mail csse@clyde.us.

“Election officials are the heroes of our democracy, working harder than almost anyone I know to ensure that every one of us can exercise our fundamental right to vote. The intimidation and threats against these dedicated officials and their families must stop."

Kathy Boockvar
Vice President of Election Operations and Support, Center for Internet Security

“Democracy can only survive and thrive if we respect and protect its values and principles. Elected officials must respect those they serve, freely act within their elected authority and act on behalf of a nation that ensures their safety so they may make decisions without fear or intimidation. That is a true democracy."

Sheriff Paul Penzone
Maricopa County, Arizona

“Access to the ballot should not be stymied in any manner, nor should we ever lose valuable election officials because they are worn down from harassment, fear, threats and undue job hardships created to alter public faith in the electoral process. "

Kathy Holland
Director of Elections, Alamance County North Carolina (Ret.)
“I joined the committee because I took an oath, along with my law enforcement colleagues, to protect and serve all persons, which is in alignment with my personal values and morals. "

Captain Harold Love
Michigan State Police (Ret.), Owner and Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Harold J. Love & Associates

“The 2020 election cycle brought many challenges for election officials, but the most shocking for me were the death threats, verbal assaults, intimidation, and scare tactics. I am one of the election officials that had my life and the lives of my family members threatened, and the threats have not ceased."

Tina Barton
Senior Elections Expert, The Elections Group

“My dad was a city clerk. Elections were a central and cherished part of his job. I joined this committee to ensure that today’s election officials can keep America’s elections running safely and securely, just like he did."

Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian
Middlesex County, Massachusetts
“Election officials are unsung heroes of American democracy—they make sure our system operates as intended. Threats to these public servants are an attack on democracy itself. Law enforcement and election officials working together can help chart a safer and more secure path forward for future elections."

Orion Danjuma
Counsel, Protect Democracy

“Safe, secure, transparent elections are the cornerstone of our democracy. CSSE members recognize the great responsibility associated with election administration and embrace public accountability to ensure that all eligible voters can freely exercise their right to vote and have their ballots counted. We make it a point to welcome and encourage those who want to peacefully observe this fundamental democratic process."

Neal Kelley
Registrar of Voters (Ret.) Orange County, California

“As an election official who experienced the verbal threats and intimidation directed at me and my staff I feel I must be a voice on this committee to work with law enforcement to address this issue."

Joseph Gloria
Registrar of Voters, Clark County, Nevada
“Election workers are the guardians of our democracy, and attacks on them for doing their jobs are unacceptable. I’m proud to stand with and in support of this group of law enforcement and election officials, who are working on practical solutions to keep our elections safe and secure."

Larry Norden
Senior Director, Elections & Government, Brennan Center for Justice

“I have joined this committee because I believe in the mission and have full confidence that we will develop practices that are results driven and further strengthen the pipeline between law enforcement and election officials."

Derek Bowens
Director of Elections, Durham County, North Carolina