Committee for Safe and Secure Elections (CSSE)

When a hurricane hits weeks before an election, officials have to act fast to keep voting accessible. Karen Brinson Bell, PMP, CERA shared how North Carolina did just that after Hurricane Helene, a great example of collaboration in action. We’re grateful to have had her at the CSSE retreat to highlight the power of partnership between election officials, election workers, emergency management, and local leaders in times of community crisis. Thanks for joining us, Karen, and for the work you do to keep elections running no matter the circumstances!

That’s a wrap! CSSE’s March 2025 Member Meeting just came to a close, and it was a valuable opportunity to bring together election officials, law enforcement, and security experts for meaningful discussions on collaboration, preparedness, and best practices. Some key themes from the day: ? Reflections on 2024 – Examining how preparation and coordination shaped the past election cycle and what we can take forward. ? Strengthening Partnerships – Reinforcing the importance of trusted relationships between election officials and law enforcement to ensure safe and accessible elections. ? Crisis Preparedness – Discussing strategies to address challenges in a way that prioritizes safety, communication, and confidence in the process. ? Looking Ahead – Focusing on practical, common-sense approaches to navigate evolving challenges while ensuring elections remain safe and secure. This meeting reinforced what we already know—collaboration is key. Thank you to all who participated and shared their expertise. A huge thank you to our members for driving this critical work forward! #CSSE #ElectionSecurity #Collaboration #LawEnforcement #SafeElections #Preparedness

Did you know that we have a new resource for election officials? Check out "Recipe for Success: How to Write and Maintain Effective Standard Operating Procedures" a guide with helpful best practices, templates, and checklists that details how you can write and maintain standard operating procedures in your office. Learn more about the resource from Jessenia E. in this short clip. Resource link: https://lnkd.in/gN-gCiwu

CSSE attended the 2025 New Jersey Association of Election Officials Conference! ?? We were proud to have Tina Barton, CSSE Vice Chair, as a panelist, sharing her expertise on election administration and the importance of collaboration between law enforcement and election officials. Her insights help leaders strengthen election systems nationwide. Let’s keep the conversation going!

?? Sheriffs lead better together! Retired Sheriff Justin Smith?joined fellow current and former law enforcement leaders at this year’s Western States Sheriffs Conference, reinforcing the power of partnership and shared experience. Since 1993, the Western States Sheriffs Association (WSSA) has provided Sheriffs with the tools, training, and network they need. At CSSE, we’re committed to strengthening leadership, fostering collaboration, and ensuring that no sheriff ever faces a major challenge alone.

Great opportunity to speak at the National Association of Counties 2025 Legislative Conference to discuss integrating technology into disaster resiliency with Noah Praetz and Ron Turner. Thanks Keara Mendez and Charles Beall for the invite! #DisasterResiliency #Tech

?? New 2025 Reference Guides for Law Enforcement! Last year, we released law enforcement quick reference guides for all 50 states—and now, we're updating them for 2025 to reflect the latest developments. These guides are designed to help officers navigate and uphold their jurisdiction’s election operations and protect election officials and voters from violence, threats and intimidation. We’ve just updated the guides for Florida, New Jersey, Virginia, and Wisconsin, equipping law enforcement with the latest guidance in each state. ?? Access the updated guides here: https://lnkd.in/e9u36kmf ? Share this resource with law enforcement professionals, election officials, and anyone committed to protecting our elections!

We're proud to see CSSE member Derek Bowens featured in Issue One’s Faces of Democracy series! As Director of Elections in Durham County, NC, Derek has been a leader in strengthening election security and innovating on voter tools. Here’s a powerful reflection from Derek on why this work matters: ?? “Elections are the bedrock of who we are as a country, without this democratic form of elections and governance, where would we be? I think for me, I have to be in it. It’s not an option; we have to preserve democracy. I have a seven year old and I think about her when I do this work, what world do I want her to have years from now when she turns 18 and she’s eligible to vote?...I hope she has more access to the ballot box than I have today.” ?? Thank you, Derek, for your dedication to ensuring safe and secure elections! ?? Read more here: https://lnkd.in/efKQ2QGi

?? This Women’s History Month, we’re shining a light on the women who work every day to keep our elections safe and secure. Women in election administration and law enforcement play a crucial role in protecting democracy. Whether they’re running polling places or ensuring voters can cast their ballots without fear, their impact is undeniable. Their dedication keeps our elections safe and secure. Who’s a woman in election security, public safety, or public service that inspires you? Tag them below! ?? #WomensHistoryMonth #CSSE

?? The Committee for Safe and Secure Elections is now on LinkedIn! As we strive to ensure safe and secure elections, it's crucial to recognize the importance of protecting election workers and voters from threats and intimidation. The Committee for Safe and Secure Elections (CSSE) has spent years bringing together cross-partisan experts in election administration and law enforcement at every level. And that work continues—because election safety isn’t seasonal; it’s a year-round priority. Here’s how we’re making a difference: ?? Strengthening collaboration between election officials and law enforcement to proactively address election challenges. ?? Providing critical resources—In 2024, we developed law enforcement quick reference guides for every state and D.C., helping equip officers with the information they need to uphold their jurisdiction’s election operations and protect election officials and voters. 100,000 copies were distributed last year alone. ?? Preparing for real-world scenarios—We facilitate tabletop exercises (TTXs) across the country to equip state and local officials with the tools to respond to potential threats. …and much more. Follow along here on LinkedIn to stay updated on our latest insights, resources, and news. Learn more: https://safeelections.org/ #SafeElections #CSSE