The Ethos of Local Election Administration

This chapter explores the ethos and culture of election administration. We argue the ethos and culture of election administration is an important addition to our understanding of the systems of election administration and their effects on the voter experience. We use the perspectives of the individuals who occupy this unique bureaucratic and administrative role in our democratic system as a lens for our assessment: local election officials (LEOs). This approach follows a rich tradition within the public administration and public policy literature that considers the organizational, bureaucratic, administrative culture, and public service orientations that are held by a set of public actors occupying a particular space or role in a governmental system. We show the ethos of election administration can be most fully revealed by a creative combination of survey analysis that is informed and complemented by qualitative research methods that allow local election administrators to speak in their own voice. The combination of these data supports a growing body of evidence suggesting local election officials are increasingly voter-centered, but that there are also important nuances in how they see themselves in their roles as the stewards of democracy. Overall, our data suggest a culture of election administration that encourages access to voting and participation, yes, but one that balances this interest with a motivation for efficiency and security in their service to the broader system of American democracy.