Odd-numbered years, and their summers, are usually a quieter time for the election community. But the Election Official Legal Defense Network (EOLDN) has received requests for pro bono legal help throughout the summer from election officials who reported threats, intimidation, defamatory comments, job loss due to partisan targeting, and other forms of harassment. EOLDN also arranged communications help for election officials interested in mounting voter education campaigns.

EOLDN not only matched election officials with assistance, but also traveled the country to speak face to face with the election community about these issues. After starting in May with The Center for Election Innovation & Research (CEIR)’s Summit for American Democracy in Washington DC, EOLDN leadership attended the California Association of Clerks and Election Officials conference, the National Association of Counties Annual Conference in Austin, the National Association of Secretaries of State conference in Washington DC, the American Bar Association Annual Meeting in Denver, and the Election Center 38th Annual National Conference in Orlando.

At every stop, we listened to stories from election officials who have weathered threats and expect a significant increase in harassment during and after 2024’s primary and general elections. They also reported a need for more communications resources to help combat misinformation about election administration.

This fall, EOLDN will introduce enhancements to our matching processes, in order to provide election workers with fuller support and attorneys with additional information. We’ll also roll out new and updated methods of outreach — informational videos, webinars, and introductory messages to election officials, attorneys, and potential partners, for a start.

Help us grow our audience and stand with election officials: encourage your colleagues, election officials, and anyone else who might be interested to subscribe to our newsletter, at eoldn.org/subscribe.