Share feedback on the standards
Share your feedback to help us define excellence for U.S. election administration.
Designed by local election departments, for local election departments
The voluntary, nonpartisan Standards for Election Excellence define high performance for local election departments across key areas in U.S. election administration. This framework names outcomes for an entire election department rooted in existing best practices and emerging fieldwide needs. Built in deep collaboration between local election officials from across the country and technologists, designers and other experts, the standards are designed to bring the elections community together to improve election operations and build public trust.
Over the course of two years of development we engaged over 50 election departments that collectively serve 30.5 million voters to develop shared values and a comprehensive set of standards to define excellence. Our values ground us in commitment to high integrity, comprehensive preparedness, voter-centricity, proactive transparency, and continuous improvement.
The inaugural cohort of 15 Centers for Election Excellence participated in regular deep dives with election experts to define scope, draft language, and give feedback on draft standards across key election topics. We received additional feedback from the elections community through conferences, online forms, and small group conversations.
The result? A comprehensive set of voluntary, nonpartisan standards that define the shared goals for all election departments, regardless of office size or location. We know that needs and challenges are unique to each election department, but the shared goal of delivering elections with integrity and transparency brings all election departments together.
Whether you are looking to improve processes in your office, reflect on your office’s performance, or you’re a new local election official looking to understand best practices for the field, the standards can help you get started. If you’re looking for more support, the standards-aligned generic resources can support improvements for your office.
Beginning in 2026, the launch of the new Alliance certification program will recognize high-performing election departments.
Are you ready to play a role in defining excellence for the future of election administration? All election officials, subject matter experts, and voters are invited to share feedback on the standards and get involved in this field-defining work.