Election officials are always striving to improve the voter experience. While their constant internal planning and assessment often goes unnoticed by voters, election administrators and their staff know the importance of these efforts. We are thankful that election officials are always thinking about a process or procedure to refine, a system that needs to be remediated or replaced, or a potential crisis that might require a contingency plan. We are thankful, because it is these efforts that ensure Americans have access to the very elections that serve as the bedrock of our democracy.
On Wednesday, October 3, 2018, just one month before the 2018 midterm elections, the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) will host the EAC Election Readiness Summit in the Capitol Visitors Center, Rooms SVC 208/209 & SVC 215 from 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. ET.
At the beginning of this year, the EAC held an all-day 2018 election kickoff summit at the national press club, and this EAC Election Readiness Summit will give the election community and the public a chance to revisit some of the same topics and examine where things stand now, as we approach the final countdown to November 6th. Among the topics we will discuss are how states are spending the $380 million Congress appropriated earlier this year and the steps states are taking to improve the security, accessibility and efficiency of the upcoming elections.
During the second panel of the EAC Election Readiness Summit, I will speak with election officials about the importance of putting voters first and ensuring the process of voting is as easy as possible. Their innovative approaches and unique programs have improved the accessibility, security, and efficiency of elections, and we’re looking forward to highlighting their work. The four panelists who will join me on stage for the discussion are:
- Paul Lux, Supervisor of Elections, Okaloosa County, Florida
- Sherry Poland, Director, Board of Elections, Hamilton County, Ohio
- Mac Warner, West Virginia Secretary of State
- Wayne Williams, Colorado Secretary of State
The 2018 EAC Election Readiness Summit is free and open to the public and the media. We hope you will join us for this important event. RSVPs are required and space is limited.