Why we’re supporting local election officials in a non-election year

By Michael Adame, Elections and Government Partnerships Director

Last year, I watched with increasing concern as more than 200 lawmakers across seven states were identified as election deniers. It was — and continues to be — alarming, not just because of the vast number, but because of the impact on dedicated and trustworthy local election officials. 

And even though experts say voter fraud is “infinitesimally rare,” President Donald Trump recently issued an executive order under the guise of preventing voter fraud. The order attempts to control how states run their elections, further complicating the job of local elections officials nationwide. 

Even in a non-election year, local election officials are under more pressure than ever. Election denialism — once confined to fringe groups — is permeating state legislatures and reaching as far as the federal government. The danger? Empowered election deniers may pass legislation harming election administration or launch baseless investigations into election officials.

When elected officials cast doubt on the integrity of voting machines, they undermine the entire electoral process, making it harder for local election officials to do their job. I’ve seen this first-hand as I’ve led numerous efforts to protect election administration and stop governments from undermining local authority. And when trust in poll workers erodes, recruiting and retaining people becomes an uphill battle.

Abuses of power, the spread of mis- and disinformation, and efforts to sow doubt in our voting system don’t start and stop in an election year. Election denial strategies often take years to develop, and local election officials must actively combat these efforts every year. That’s why Public Rights Project’s Election Protection Hub (EPH) will continue serving local election officials in 2025 and beyond.

From ensuring that every vote is counted in Pennsylvania to stopping misconduct in Michigan: The Election Protection Hub’s impact in 2024

Since being founded last year, the hub has served 215 election officials across 22 states. We successfully challenged a hand-count rule in Muscogee County, Georgia; provided technical assistance to set up a new polling location in Centre County, Pennsylvania; and filed an amicus brief that resulted in drop boxes being reinstated in Wisconsin.

Many of these legal wins take time and have implications for future elections — which is why this work must continue even between presidential elections. Recently, we supported a major victory in Pennsylvania to allow voters to cast provisional ballots on Election Day if their mail-in ballots were disqualified for missing the inner secrecy envelope.

In an amicus brief that we submitted to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, we drew on the expertise of more than 30 local election officials, urging the court to uphold the rights of two voters whose provisional ballots were rejected in the 2024 Pennsylvania primary election. The court agreed, setting an important precedent protecting voters’ rights.

Ensuring accessibility and fighting federal overreach into the electoral process: Safeguarding integrity for future elections

So far in 2025, we’ve continued to work with election officials at a local level. The EPH recently filed an amicus brief on behalf of Madison’s City Attorney and Interim Clerk Mike Haas, urging the Wisconsin Court of Appeals to protect state courts’ ability to extend voting hours.

But for several local election officials, implementing the impractical requirements of the president’s executive order is top of mind. For instance, it attempts to overhaul voting machines. This equipment, which is difficult to procure and expensive to purchase and replace, requires significant set-up in order to work. The order would also require states to ask for proof of citizenship for voter registration.

These measures might seem like sensible steps toward securing fair and safe elections, even though in order to vote, Americans must already affirm that they are citizens on the federal voter registration form. In reality, the executive order will disenfranchise over 20 million Americans and place an overwhelming burden on election officials. Nearly one in 10 voters do not have easy access to passports or other documents proving citizenship. On June 5, we filed an amicus brief on behalf of local election officials in 33 jurisdictions in State of Washington v. Trump to protect these voters.

The EPH’s goal is to provide the necessary support to local election officials so they are empowered to continue their work through the 2026 midterms and beyond. If one in five local election officials step down before the midterms as predicted, it could strain the election system at a local level. Massive turnover means we will lose valuable institutional knowledge at a time when trust in elections is already eroding.

Building a nationwide network

Given the federal government’s misguided approach to election administration, we’re also shifting our focus from supporting a few key states to building a national network of local election officials. In addition to our work in support of State of Washington v. Trump, we filed an amicus brief in State of California v. Trump arguing that the president’s new executive order unlawfully attempts to direct state regulation of elections. Together, the briefs represented more than 60 local election officials.

We believe that our role as a national coalition-builder is critical in a moment when so few organizations provide direct support to local election officials. This support is key as preparations for the 2026 midterms begin, and many election offices lack sufficient resources.

2024 taught us that when local election officials make their voice heard, they can influence important pro-voting policies. As we look ahead, the EPH recognizes that election work is a year-round commitment — every year. We invite local officials to reach out with legal questions, join an amicus brief, access our resources, and join a coalition of clerks who believe in the safety and security of our election system.