Thinking about Elections

GOOD NEWS. To reverse the heavy loss of experienced election professionals nationwide since 2020, one state has piloted a path forward to attract qualified people to this field.

Election offices are chronically short of resources and staff, but 2020 began waves of retirements and resignations. It started with COVID and intensified when claims of a stolen election fueled hassles, hostility, and even death threats. The loss of experienced staff is an ongoing problem nationwide, but particularly in swing states. It’s a loss of institutional knowledge that isn’t easily replaced. In Pennsylvania, about 40 or the 67 counties have new election directors or deputy directors since 2020. In Arizona, 12 of the 15 counties lost at least one top election official.

Elections are complex: administrators need to know the multiple technical aspects of conducting elections as well as all the rules and laws that must be followed. Yet there aren’t degree programs in election administration. There is no conduit or standard pathway that leads people to practical training or this knowledge and career path.

To address the problem, Arizona created an innovative paid fellowship program to train and expand the pool of skilled election professionals. For the 2024 election cycle, the program placed 18 college students and recent graduates in election offices statewide for five months. It was an excellent fit for people interested in public policy, government, law, or public administration. Some of the participants are now hired professionals in AZ election offices.

Arizona has pioneered a program that might well benefit many states.

https://www.votebeat.org/2025/06/09/arizona-election-administration-fellowship-program-adrian-fontes/