NEVADA COUNTY, Calif. February 15, 2024 – For the past 6 months, I have had the extraordinary privilege of working with a small group of elections officials from across the country on updating a national Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct for Election Administrators. The Ethics Committee was convened by the Institute for Election Administration Research & Practice and the Election Center, a nonpartisan, national organization that provides ongoing training and certification of election and voter registration administrators. I am a proud graduate of Election Center’s Certified Elections Registration Administrator (CERA) program.
In this moment when elections are under unprecedented scrutiny (and at times, subjected to criticism that’s unsubstantiated by evidence), I believe that it’s important for the public to know that elections officials like my staff and I do, in fact, have ethical and professional standards guiding our decisions.
If you follow electoral politics at all, you know that states have different rules for how to administer elections. For example, some states hold primaries, while others may conduct a party caucus; registration deadlines may vary state by state, and some may offer same day registration; some states mail ballots to a small percentage of the electorate, while others mail a ballot to all active voters. There are countless examples of how American democracy is a patchwork of different rules that can sometimes leave voters wondering what to do.
But despite all of our legal and procedural differences, we elections officials have a lot in common. We are united in our fidelity to the integrity and fairness of elections, our commitment to transparency, and our duty to serve voters equally and with respect. No matter where we’re from or how many years of service, we agree that it’s critical for the profession of election administration to transcend party politics and individual political beliefs.
The Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct for Election Administrators represents the “north star” that reflects our professional ethos and helps us navigate the complexity of the elections process. Principles outlined in the Standards of Conduct include:
- Upholding the U.S. and state constitutions and following all federal, state, and local laws
- Conducting elections fairly, efficiently, and accurately
- Providing all eligible voters an equal opportunity to participate
- Being accessible and building positive relationships with the community
The full Standards, which have been vetted and adopted by the larger Election Center membership, can be found on the Election Center’s website:
https://electioncenter.org/national-association-of-election-officials/professional-education-progra m/Standards_of_Conduct_for_Election_and_Registration_Officials_Election_Center_2024-01-2 8.pdf.
Nevada County Elections is a team of professionals working diligently to prepare for the 2024 election and ensure that the process is conducted with fairness and integrity. Yes, we are county employees, but my staff and I are also your friends and neighbors. We love our community and we want you to have a great voting experience. And we care about getting it right.
You all are the reason why we do what we do. Please vote in the March 5, 2024 Presidential Primary!
Natalie Adona won election as Nevada County Clerk-Recorder/Registrar of Voters in June 2022. She previously served as Nevada County Assistant Clerk-Recorder/Registrar of Voters, beginning the position in 2019. www.NevadaCountyCa.gov/elections