Women are often underrepresented in government roles, but election administration bucks that trend. In the U.S., women make up 80% of all election officials. Specifically, 17 Secretaries of State are women while 29 women serve as State Election Director. Beyond these roles, there are hundreds of women election supervisors, county clerks, probate judges, election auditors, and municipal clerks who conduct election operations, often without adequate resources to get the job done.
Public Rights Project’s Election Protection Hub is committed to supporting elections officials during the 2024 election cycle. This Women’s History Month, we’re featuring perspectives from four women who are shepherding the election process in their communities.
The Pathway to Becoming a Local Elections Official
Mary R. Clark
Delta Township Clerk
Lansing, MI
Mary R. Clark was working in the Michigan House of Representatives as the legislative staff for a local representative when she was approached by the retiring clerk in her community about applying for the soon-to-be vacant role.
“At that time, I had lived in my community for 30-plus years and was very interested in the opportunity to be at the policy table as well as on the front lines of elections.”
After a round of public interviews, Clark was selected from a pool of 16 other candidates by a bipartisan township board. Today, working with others across the political spectrum continues to be a source of pride for Clark.
“I have a reputation for honesty and integrity. Those two characteristics are my most valued and are the basis of both my professional and personal lives. I was selected as the Michigan Township Clerk of the Year in 2020 and served as the president of the Michigan Association of Municipal Clerks (with a membership of over 900) in 2021-2022. I have the respect of both Democrats and Republicans, and I value that respect.”
Vanessa Guerra
Saginaw County Clerk
Lansing, MI
Prior to serving as county clerk, Vanessa Guerra served six years in the Michigan Legislature where she spent the majority of her time serving on the House Elections Committee.
“This allowed me to hear from clerks about how changes to election laws directly impacted their community. I enjoyed working within election law and wanted to continue within that field so running for county clerk was a natural progression for me.”
Charlotte Sosebee
Director of Athens-Clarke County Board of Elections & Voter Registration
Athens, GA
When Charlotte Sosebee left banking to accept a position as an election clerk in Hall County, GA, she didn’t realize the decision would launch a 34-year career in election administration.
“I quickly grew to love the process of elections and what the services I helped to provide meant to my community. Elections are the foundation of our government. Knowing that I am working to protect the rights of voters means a great deal to me and keeps me motivated. Others like me, women and people of color, have shed blood for the right to vote and prevailed. I am honored to carry that legacy forward.”
Although election administrators have faced more scrutiny and stress in the last several years, Sosebee said she is still delighted to witness democracy at work.
“Throughout my career I’ve experienced the excitement of people voting for the first time – young adults, new citizens, and formerly incarcerated people with reinstated rights. The joy I experience in these moments has not lessened over the years.”
As of November 2023, Sosebee has been a part of approximately 91 elections in Georgia, of which 77 she has served in the leadership roles of Interim Director, Director, or Chief Registrar. Presenting election outcomes to her county continues to be her proudest moments on the job.
“I know the hard work, by many people, that goes into producing vote tallies and I am proud to certify accurate election results and ensure that every person who desires to vote in my county is able to do so.”
Kim Trueblood
Marathon County Clerk
Wausau, WI
Kim Trueblood grew up in a civically active family and remembers “doing doors” [door-knocking] with her dad as a child.
“Elections have always been a big part of my life. I couldn’t wait to turn 18 so that I could vote myself and I’ve voted in every election since.”
As an adult, she became a teacher and spent many years encouraging young people to get involved in their community and register to vote. But, her trajectory changed in 2011 when the County Clerk contacted Trueblood to help with a Supreme Court recount in Wisconsin.
“I got to see the ‘other side’ of elections during that process and I was hooked. I transitioned from the classroom to become a staff member in the County Clerk’s office, and then was officially appointed to the position of County Clerk when my predecessor retired. I absolutely love my job and can’t imagine doing anything else.”
It helps that Trueblood is surrounded by staff members and municipal clerks that are fighting for free and fair elections alongside her.
“I’m proud of every member of my staff and every one of my municipal clerks. They do their work with the utmost integrity and residents of Marathon County can be confident in the safety and security of their elections. I’m proud of the fact that my colleagues and I have been able to stand up to the lies and misinformation that is being spread regarding the integrity of our elections.”
Female Representation in Government
Women leaders bring a diverse perspective and skillset to election work, and as half of the population, they play a pivotal role in their local communities and help strengthen democracy.
“My experience in the legislature along with my experience in the clerking world has proven to me that women are great listeners and are focused on resolution and problem solving,” Clark said.
In addition to their skillsets, women’s unique lived experiences are critical to driving public policy, Guerra and Sosebee both said.
“Women care about the state of the economy and education just the same as men, but at times these issues may impact our lives differently,” Guerra said. “It is important that women serve in our government so they can share those differences and seek to improve upon them.”
And, it would be a mistake to discount women election leaders. Sosebee said their resilience is key to their success and the success of their communities.
“We bring a perspective to our work that’s often overlooked when women are absent from conversations that drive public policy,” she said. “And, unfortunately, in a profession that is dominated by women, election officials are commonly disregarded and undervalued for the work we do. Even so, we are here, year after year, pressing on because we are making a difference in our local communities.”
But, eventually the next generation will step in and it’s critical to build a pipeline for the next group of local elections officials now.
“It’s crucial for young women and girls to see themselves represented in every aspect of their lives,” Trueblood said. “Citizens interact with government in so many different ways and it’s important for young women to have role models – strong women who are actively engaged in making their communities better places for everyone.”
Advice for Other Women in Election Work
Sosebee stressed the importance of taking time for yourself to ensure you’re equipped to do the job and support those who work under your direction.
“Be kind to yourself during these challenging times when a great deal is heaped on your shoulders and you are expected to somehow control what is often ‘out of your control,’” Sosebee said. “Hold your head high and repeat to yourself, ‘I am part of something that matters, something bigger than myself, and no one can take that away.’”
And, in an environment where elections officials are under unprecedented attacks, Trueblood has this advice: “Stick to your guns. Don’t allow bullies with loud voices to cast doubts on your integrity. Keep up the good work that you do each and every day.”
Meanwhile, Clark lives by this simple mantra: “Listen, learn, then act.”
“Compromise where it is appropriate and never turn your back on your core values,” Clark said. “Honesty and integrity will always be recognized and valued by your residents and your peers. Then you are able to lift others up also and our world will be a better place!”
