Since The Election Official Legal Defense Network (EOLDN) began offering communications support to elections offices at no cost, election officials across the country have taken advantage of this valuable opportunity. Tommy Gong, Clerk-Recorder for Contra Costa County, CA was the first to submit a request. Pleased with the help he received, he encourages other election officials to “take EOLDN up on this offer… it will be invaluable to you going into 2024.”

When Gong completed the communications request form, EOLDN quickly connected him with communications professionals. They reviewed his office’s existing materials, including their media plan, press releases, factsheets, and logos. Gong said, “To us, it was great to have someone look at it through a communications lens.”

The assistance continued when Gong’s office unexpectedly came under fire because of its use of a particular poll worker management system. When the president of that system was indicted, extremists targeted Gong’s office for abuse. As his office faced “borderline threatening messages” and accusations of election fraud, Gong again asked his EOLDN-provided communications team for help.

The team understood the painstaking work that Gong’s office had done to build trust with the community. They advised him to “reach out to a few TV news reporters and newspaper journalists who are trusted folks that [they felt] could give [the office] a fair shot, an honest story about the situation” to be able to preserve trust. Working with the communications professionals “really helped [Gong’s office] get ahead of the narrative,” and he shared that he is “already looking forward to working with that communication advice going forward.”