Resources
Election Management
Ballot Drop Box Implementation
Ballot drop boxes offer a secure, convenient alternative for voters to cast their completed mail ballots. They save voters money in jurisdictions where return postage is not prepaid, and they can reduce costs for election authorities that pay postage.
Jun 3, 2026
Communications
Crisis Communications Intake Response Forms
Crisis communications readiness helps election offices respond promptly, accurately and confidently during an emergency or significant event. Use these intake response forms to supplement your plans and help manage your office’s response to critical incidents by preparing contact lists, talking points, holding statements and more.
Sep 26, 2025
Election Management
60-Minute Toolkit for Emergency Readiness
The provided resources, the “Emergency Readiness Toolkit” and the “Emergency Readiness Guide,” offer a comprehensive framework for election officials to prepare for and respond to various crises. The Toolkit includes […]
Sep 25, 2025
Election Management
Election Learning Lab
Free, self-paced online courses to help election professionals enhance their skills in support of efficient, safe and transparent elections
Sep 22, 2025
Election Management
Guidance for Religious Leaders at the Polls
Religious leaders across the country are lifting their voices to call for a free, fair, and peaceful election season. Many of them are preparing to serve as “poll chaplains” or […]
Nov 1, 2024
Security
Keeping Elections Safe in Your Community: A Law Enforcement Quick Reference Guide
This information and guidance was compiled by Justin Smith, a law enforcement advisor for The Elections Group and a member of the Committee for Safe and Secure Elections. Smith is […]
Oct 29, 2024
Polling Places and Poll Workers
Drop Box Resilience
Is your office prepared for an incident that compromises a ballot drop box? Drop boxes are used in many states and jurisdictions as a way for voters to return their […]
Oct 28, 2024
Communications
Election Security Graphics
These social-sized graphics can send a strong statement about your commitment to security. Reach out to our Communications Resource Desk for help customizing this for your jurisdiction: Resource Request Form
Oct 21, 2024
Communications
“Security Sandwich” — Best Practices for Voting System Security and Accuracy Template
Use this template to highlight the many layers of security practices your office uses to secure votes and voting.
Aug 27, 2024
Election Management
De-Escalation Training Materials
The Elections Group and the Bridging Divides Initiative at Princeton University (BDI) partnered to create de-escalation resources for election workers. Slide template for in-person election worker de-escalation training (Note: The training slides […]
Aug 12, 2024
Security
Running Secure Elections with Confidence: Ensuring Physical Safety for Election Personnel
So much focus in the past several years has been on security in elections. The potential of cybersecurity attacks shutting down sectors of government helped to stimulate the elections community […]
Jun 25, 2024
Security
Election Security: Standing up to Intimidation, Preventing Overt Attacks
We have seen, and fear we will see again, overt security events: intentional efforts and opportunistic attempts to use an intimidating presence, lodged threats and even violence to influence and […]
Jun 25, 2024
Security
Security Awareness: An Introductory Guide for Temporary Election Workers
Election workers supporting voting activity will need at least a basic level of security awareness training, both in the physical security and the cybersecurity domains. Depending on the jurisdiction, election […]
Jun 24, 2024
Election Management
How to Respond to Potential Toxic Exposure
Election officials are not expected to know what type of hazardous material they may be encountering; however, they should be trained on and regularly exercise response procedures. Display this poster […]
Jun 4, 2024
Election Management
Chain of Custody
Ballot security goes beyond locks and cameras. Election officials must be able to prove they were in control of ballots and voting equipment at all times. Strong chain of custody […]
May 30, 2024
Security
How Election Officials Can Identify, Prepare for, and Respond to AI Threats
This guide covers numerous scenarios involving artificial intelligence, including fake images, video, and audio. Access the full resource here.
May 9, 2024
Polling Places and Poll Workers
Polling Place Pocket Contact Card
Election workers need quick access to several important contacts on Election Day. These include your office, in the case of an administrative issue, and public safety officials, in the event […]
Apr 12, 2024
Communications
De-Escalation Posters and Pocket Guides
These guides and posters remind poll workers and elections staff of techniques to assist with de-escalating tense situations.
Apr 10, 2024
Security
Avoiding F(AI)kes: Practices for Verifying Communications With People You Trust
It’s late on election night. Your phone rings. The caller ID shows an internal office extension. The voice is familiar; it’s your boss. “I know you went home, but the […]
Apr 2, 2024
Operations
Operational TTX Guides
A Tabletop Exercise (TTX) is an activity designed to simulate real-life situations in order to test the responses of a particular organization or team in an informal, low-risk environment. TTXs […]
Mar 15, 2024
Communications
Election Observer Resources
Meaningful observation is essential to the health of the election process. The guides on this page are designed as handouts for election observers.
Feb 28, 2024
Communications
Confident Voices in Critical Times: A Crisis Communications Toolkit for Before, During and After a Critical Elections Incident
Table of Contents Jump to: Introduction Section 1: Proactive Communications Section 2: Crisis Communications Section 3: After the Crisis – Best Practices Section 4: Sample Crisis Communications Scenarios and Recommended Responses […]
Feb 20, 2024
Security
Protecting Yourself from Doxing
The “Protecting Yourself from Doxing” checklist provides practical steps to safeguard personal information and enhance online privacy. It covers basics like updating devices, securing social media accounts by limiting personal […]
Jan 18, 2024
Accelerating Excellence
Elections Workforce Resource Library
The Elections Workforce Resource Library links to resources created by many organizations that can aid the elections workforce.
Jul 6, 2023
Accelerating Excellence
Illinois’ Cyber Navigator Program
Illinois created an expansive Cyber Navigator Program (CNP), the first of its kind in the nation. The CNP would support all 108 local Election Authorities to “defend against cyber breaches and detect and recover from cyber attacks.”
Mar 21, 2023
Accelerating Excellence
Virginia’s Cyber Navigator Internship Program (CNIP)
Leaders from the Virginia Department of Elections met with cybersecurity experts from the University of Virginia’s School of Engineering and Applied Science to discuss how to improve election cybersecurity. This led to the creation of Virginia’s Cyber Navigator Internship Program (CNIP).
Mar 21, 2023
Accelerating Excellence
Following Five Steps to Safer Elections to Build a Security Partnership in Utah
Experiences in northern Utah show that when election officials take the lead and law enforcement is open to cooperation, they can work together to grapple with the unique needs of the election environment.
Nov 2, 2022
Election Management
Secure HQ Checklist
Facility preparation is a critical component of security and continuity of operations planning. Some simple preparation will help establish order and reinforce the impression that the operation is under control, which itself deters unruliness.
Oct 21, 2022
Security
Committee for Safe and Secure Elections
The Elections Group is helping to mature and accelerate partnerships between election officials and law enforcement for the purpose of keeping election workers and voters safe through the Committee for Safe and Secure Elections (CSSE).
Oct 6, 2022
Election Management
7 Strategies for Enhancing Ballot Drop Box Security
As the use and popularity of drop boxes increases, election administrators must take special care to ensure the security of those drop boxes. This guidance provides strategies that can be used to enhance the physical security of drop boxes.
Sep 20, 2022