Defining excellent election administration

Standards for Excellence

The nonpartisan standards define excellence in U.S. election administration for local election departments across the country. They are designed by local election officials, designers, technologists, and other experts to support local election officials, improve election operations, and build public trust. These draft standards will be updated based on feedback from the election community.

Ballots and Audits

Ballot creation

Ballot creation

Your election office creates ballots that are well-designed, accurate, and in formats that meet voters' needs.

Voting resources allocation

Voting resources allocation

Your election office allocates the needed ballots, supplies, and equipment for voters to cast their ballots with ease.

Secure ballot management

Secure ballot management

Your office protects ballot security from printing to storage using comprehensive ballot handling processes.

Tabulation audits

Tabulation audits

Your election office conducts tabulation audits on your voting equipment prior to certification to ensure the results are accurate.

Communications

Plain language

Plain language

Your election office writes and speaks in a way that allows voters to easily find, understand, and use the information they need.

Information design

Information design

Your election office uses design and accessibility best practices to format information so it is easy to find, understand, and use.

Language access

Language access

Your election office understands your voters' language needs and prioritizes their preferred languages, dialects, and communication modes.

Voter communications

Voter communications

Your election office effectively distributes information through a variety of mediums that best reach your voters.

Community relationships

Community relationships

Your election office builds and maintains strong relationships in your community that foster trust in the election process.

Media relationships

Media relationships

Your election office proactively builds and maintains relationships with members of the media to communicate accurate election information.

Poll Workers

Poll worker recruitment

Poll worker recruitment

Your election office recruits enough poll workers with the skills and competencies to successfully support voters in casting their ballots.

Poll worker training

Poll worker training

Your election office delivers training that helps poll workers understand and conduct their responsibilities, equips them with the resources to find answers to their questions, and sets expectations of professionalism.

Poll worker management

Poll worker management

Your election office manages poll workers by efficiently maintaining information, communicating effectively, and facilitating compensation.

Poll worker retention

Poll worker retention

Your election office supports retention of competent poll workers and honors their civic contribution by providing a positive poll worker experience, making poll workers feel appreciated, and incorporating feedback on their experience.