By Stephanie Cox, Cassidy Flynn, Sarah Heinle, Jessica Hodek, Kathleen M. Montejo, Ashley Reichert, Lisa Posthumus Lyons, and Lisa Wise

In an era when election headlines often focus on conflict and controversy, the people who actually run elections tell a different story.

Across Massachusetts, Maine, Wisconsin, Illinois, Texas, North Dakota, and Michigan, city and county clerks (and others in election administration) describe elections as one of the most structured, documented, and collaboratively supported functions in local government. They see elections not as a partisan battleground, but as a disciplined practice built on law, procedure, training, and community trust.

Their message is consistent: public confidence is earned through systems that are visible, verifiable, and carefully executed long before voters step into a polling place.

We asked the authors to tell us more about the elections administration process in their city, town, or county. In this article, we only scratch the surface of what they had to say. We’ve highlighted the major themes present in all eight of their perspectives, but each author’s full piece can be seen below.

The Law Is The Backbone

At every level—city and county alike—clerks return to the same starting point: follow the law. “As a city clerk, ensuring a fair process starts with strict adherence to state law and established procedures governing elections,” says Cassidy Flynn, deputy city clerk of Newton, Massachusetts. Clear procedures, consistent training, and documentation “help ensure that all candidates, voters, and stakeholders are treated equally.”

In Maine, Kathleen M. Montejo, city clerk and registrar of voters in Lewiston, frames it bluntly: “Integrity in the process is paramount.” She adds, “If we deviate from the state regulations, problems can arise. Always following the state statutes means the secretary of state’s office can back us up.”

Sarah Heinle of Cass County, North Dakota, isn’t a clerk but wears many other hats, such as finance director, auditor, treasurer, and superintendent of schools. Serving as her county’s election official, she believes that the best way to achieve a fair election process is to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to vote. “We may never reach 100% participation in the election process but it’s definitely a goal to strive for,” she says. “Our most important duty is to make voting as accessible as possible.”

In Wisconsin, Jessica Hodek, county clerk of Barron County, emphasizes uniformity. Her office adheres “strictly to those statutes as written,” and she expects the same from municipal clerks. “Consistent application of the law is essential to maintaining uniformity, fairness, and public confidence in our elections.”

And in Michigan, Lisa Posthumus Lyons, county clerk of Kent County, points to decentralization itself as a structural safeguard. With more than 1,500 clerks administering elections locally, and bipartisan boards of canvassers reviewing results, “Michigan relies on checks-and-balances for secure, transparent, fair, and accurate elections.”

Different states, different frameworks, but the same refrain: the statutes are not suggestions; they are the spine.

Preparation Is Everything

If elections seem orderly on Election Day, it’s because the real work happened months before. Montejo begins preparing for a presidential election “as early as six months in advance.” Detailed checklists exist for presidential, mayoral, and school budget elections alike. By the time voters arrive, “my work as a city clerk…is mostly done.”

“Boring elections are the best elections!” she says—a line that could double as a mission statement.

Lyons echoes the timeline. She notes that her office begins preparations “months, if not years in advance,” working with local, state, and federal agencies to establish lines of communication and update response plans. “I am incredibly grateful that the 30 elections I have overseen…have been without incident when it comes to serious threats,” she says, attributing that record to advance planning.

In Texas, Lisa Wise, county elections administrator for El Paso County, oversees elections almost constantly—four to six local elections each year in addition to statewide contests. “All elections require months of preparation and the support and collaboration of numerous stakeholders,” she explains.

“Elections don’t happen in a day,” says Heinle. “Months of planning and preparation go into the process, including but not limited to updating procedures, training election workers, testing equipment, packing and delivering supplies, and educating the public on their voting options.”

Preparation is not seasonal. It’s continuous.

Transparency Is an Invitation

Many clerks describe transparency not as passive disclosure, but as active inclusion. Wise describes logic and accuracy tests conducted multiple times — before ballots are printed, before counting begins, and before results are canvassed. Members of the public are invited to observe and participate. “We have had members of the public come into the testing critical of election procedures and leave with a new understanding and trust,” she says. Seeing the complexity firsthand changes perspectives.

Reichert similarly implemented voluntary random hand-count audits conducted publicly during canvass meetings — exceeding statutory requirements. These audits are designed “not only to verify results, but to demonstrate the integrity of the process in a visible and accessible way to the public.”

Montejo embraces what she calls an “overshare” philosophy. “More is better” when explaining procedures, she says. Poll workers frequently tell her: “I had no idea all of the extra steps and safeguards that are in place.”

For Hodek, transparency also means accessibility. She maintains an open-door policy and welcomes voter questions. “By prioritizing transparency and community engagement, our office works to uphold the integrity of the electoral process and strengthen public trust.”

Trust, these clerks suggest, grows when the public is invited inside the process.

The Human Safeguards

Election integrity is not only technological. It’s human. In Union County, Illinois, Stephanie Cox, county clerk, describes an exacting process for selecting election judges. Judges must meet qualifications set by the Illinois State Board of Elections and represent both political parties at each precinct. “This is quite a burden to carry for a judge,” she says, particularly in a state without photo ID requirements. But with proper training, judges are prepared.

Her office reviews death notices daily to maintain accurate voter rolls and conducts a full voter registration purge every two years. “You might ask, how do you know the voter is the same as the individual on the VR card?” she says, anticipating skepticism. The answer lies in systematic verification and bipartisan oversight.

Montejo also stresses bipartisan staffing: by law, Maine polling places must hire an equal number of registered voters from the two major parties. “We remind the voters that the polling place is run by their neighbors, coworkers, fellow community members.”

Lyons highlights similar bipartisan balance in Michigan precincts and absentee counting boards, reinforcing that checks are embedded at multiple levels.

Security Is Layered and Collaborative

Security planning extends well beyond locking ballot boxes. After Lewiston endured a devastating mass shooting in 2023, Montejo worked closely with law enforcement to ensure polling places feel safe. Officers are present throughout voting hours. Homeland Security once reviewed polling locations and identified scenarios—like prolonged power outages—that prompted new contingency planning.

In Texas, Wise maintains constant communication with public safety officers and even provides them with training on election code violations. “Election code violations are so rare that many public safety officers have little experience with them,” she explains. Preparing them in advance ensures readiness.

Cox notes that on Election Day, she and the Union County Sheriff travel from polling place to polling place, offering oversight and support. Each site can contact her office or law enforcement directly.

Reichert describes year-round coordination with local law enforcement to review logistics and emergency preparedness. Establishing clear communication channels before Election Day allows partners to perform their duties “in a secure, calm, and professional environment.”

Security, in every state, is proactive, not reactive.

Trust Built Through Action

From small rural counties to large metropolitan jurisdictions, these clerks describe remarkably similar principles:

• Follow the law precisely.
• Prepare months in advance.
• Invite observation.
• Train relentlessly.
• Document every step.
• Collaborate across departments.
• Communicate — even “overshare.”

Across states and structures, the clerks’ perspectives converge on one core idea: trust is built through consistent action. “Restoring public trust in elections does not happen through rhetoric or isolated initiatives,” Reichert reflects. “It is built through consistent actions, clear communication, and a willingness to exceed the bare minimum of what is required.”

These clerks describe election administration not as a dramatic event, but as disciplined public service. The safeguards are layered and methodical. The work is steady, often invisible, and deeply procedural. And in that quiet consistency, they believe, is where public trust is earned.

STEPHANIE COX is county clerk for Union County, Illinois.

CASSIDY FLYNN is deputy city clerk for Newton, Massachusetts.

SARAH HEINLE is finance director, auditor, treasurer, superintendent of schools, and county election official for Cass County, North Dakota.

JESSICA HODEK is county clerk for Barron County, Wisconsin.

KATHLEEN M. MONTEJO is city clerk and registrar of voters for Lewiston, Maine.

ASHLEY REICHERT is county clerk for Washington County, Wisconsin.

LISA POSTHUMUS LYONS is county clerk and register of deeds for Kent County, Michigan.

LISA WISE is county elections administrator for El Paso County, Texas.