Law Enforcement and Election Officials: Building Partnerships to Protect Elections

Please join the Ash Center for a discussion of how law enforcement and election officials can work together to protect election officials, poll workers and voters while safeguarding public trust in the electoral process.

The webinar will draw on the Ash Center report The Necessary and Valuable Partnership: Law Enforcement and Election Officials, which examines the complicated historical relationship between voting and law enforcement in the United States. The report highlights the importance of clear communication, careful coordination and respect for the distinct roles of election officials and law enforcement.

The panel will explore lessons from recent elections and discuss practical strategies for developing effective partnerships before, during and after Election Day. Panelists will consider how law enforcement agencies and election officials can prepare for threats, respond to safety concerns, and protect the voting process without creating confusion or deterring voters.

This event is part of the Ash Center’s Democracy 250 series, which convenes leading scholars, policymakers and practitioners to examine the nation’s democratic past, present and future.

Speakers include:

• Jason P. Armstrong, retired police chief and CEO of Armstrong Consulting
• Shenna Bellows, Secretary of State of Maine
• Al Schmidt, Secretary of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
• Christine M. Cole, safety and justice policy advisor and Ash Center fellow (moderator)

About the Series

As the United States marks 250 years of democracy, the Ash Center’s Democracy 250 series convenes leading scholars, policymakers and practitioners to examine the nation’s democratic past, present, and future. Through public conversations, lectures, and panels, the series explores the ideas, institutions, and challenges that have shaped American democracy—and the opportunities to strengthen it for generations to come.

Event Details

This event is online only and registration is required. A recording will be made available after the event’s conclusion. The information collected in the registration form is for internal use only and will not be shared externally.

The Ash Center encourages individuals with disabilities to participate in its events. Should you wish to inquire about accommodations, please contact the events team in advance.

For additional information, please contact: info@ash.harvard.edu