[EL] BI-partisanElection Administration

[Roy Schotland]

"Nonpartisan" election administration is most likely utopian dreaming.
But back in 2001, Secys of State listed as one of the top priorities for
improving elections, having at least BI-partisan officials up and down
the organization chart.  Only a minority of States had anything as fair
as that, I expect that's still true....  I'm always hawkish for third
parties and independents, but I'd rather have bi-partisan election
administration than one-party control.

 

Roy A. Schotland

Professor Emeritus

Georgetown Law Center

600 New Jersey Ave. N.W.

Washington, D.C. 20001

202/662-9098

        fax: -9680

 

From: law-election-bounces at department-lists.uci.edu
[mailto:law-election-bounces at department-lists.uci.edu] On Behalf Of
Larry Levine
Sent: Wednesday, November 07, 2012 8:07 PM
To: 'Even, Jeff (ATG)'; 'Susan Lerner';
law-election at department-lists.uci.edu
Subject: Re: [EL] North Carolina Election Administration

 

I agree completely. Now, how do we make that happen in states where the
culture is different from what you describe? In this super-charged
partisan environment, where some people think losing an election is
equal to the end of the world, we see a parade of bad actors acting
badly. They are no means a majority. But what they do is partially to
blame for the public disenchantment with the political process. If they
cared about that they wouldn't act badly in the first place. 

Larry

 

From: Even, Jeff (ATG) [mailto:JeffE at ATG.WA.GOV] 
Sent: Wednesday, November 07, 2012 4:40 PM
To: larrylevine at earthlink.net; Susan Lerner;
law-election at department-lists.uci.edu
Subject: RE: [EL] North Carolina Election Administration

 

Yes.  But a more serious answer to the question lies in instilling the
right culture.  My observation on that score is that leadership can do a
lot.  If it's clear that staff is rewarded for playing straight, and if
the leaders in the organization are themselves rigorous about treating
all sides evenly, that culture can permeate the office.  Individuals
will, of course, have their own opinions, but I witness a certain
professional pride in our elections staff in turning that off during
working hours.  I've advised two Secretaries of State over the past 20
years, and while individual employees come and go both have been
successful in instilling and maintaining that culture.  

 

From: Larry Levine [mailto:larrylevine at earthlink.net] 
Sent: Wednesday, November 07, 2012 4:34 PM
To: Even, Jeff (ATG); 'Susan Lerner';
law-election at department-lists.uci.edu
Subject: RE: [EL] North Carolina Election Administration

 

Most of them are exactly that. It's the ones who step out of line that
draw the attention.

Larry

 

From: Even, Jeff (ATG) [mailto:JeffE at ATG.WA.GOV] 
Sent: Wednesday, November 07, 2012 4:28 PM
To: larrylevine at earthlink.net; Susan Lerner;
law-election at department-lists.uci.edu
Subject: RE: [EL] North Carolina Election Administration

 

They're not bureaucrats.  They're hard-working public servants.  But I
digress.

 

From: law-election-bounces at department-lists.uci.edu
[mailto:law-election-bounces at department-lists.uci.edu] On Behalf Of
Larry Levine
Sent: Wednesday, November 07, 2012 4:19 PM
To: 'Susan Lerner'; law-election at department-lists.uci.edu
Subject: Re: [EL] North Carolina Election Administration

 

How can you have a non-partisan election staff. I would guess many if
not all of them have strong partisan leanings. Just because they are
bureaucrats doesn't make them non-partisan. 

Larry

 

From: law-election-bounces at department-lists.uci.edu
[mailto:law-election-bounces at department-lists.uci.edu] On Behalf Of
Susan Lerner
Sent: Wednesday, November 07, 2012 4:10 PM
To: law-election at department-lists.uci.edu
Subject: [EL] North Carolina Election Administration

 

It is my understanding that North carolina has a politically appointed
Board of Elections but professional non-partisan election staff.  This
contrasts mightily with the situation here in NY.  Is anyone aware of
any articles that confirm my understanding or that discuss similar
arrangements in other states (i.e., political Board, professional
non0political administration/management)? 

 

Thanks,

Susan

 

________________________________

Susan Lerner 

Executive Director, Common Cause/NY

74 Trinity Place, Suite 901

New York, NY 10006

t:  212-691-6421

m:917-670-5670

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