Newsletter
VA registrar teams up with EOLDN attorney to get her job back
August 2024
Former VA registrar fights for her job, backed by EOLDN legal support
Former Lynchburg, VA Registrar Christine Gibbons endured baseless claims of corruption and harassment, even waking up to a sign in her yard one morning that read “Christine Gibbons Belongs in Jail. #LockHerUp. Resign Now.” Gibbons nonetheless worked every day to administer fair and transparent elections in her county.
Despite her dedication, in 2023, the new Republican-controlled Lynchburg Election Board informed her that she would not be reappointed to her position as registrar. In Virginia, registrars are traditionally reappointed as long as they, like Gibbons, maintain positive performance reviews.
When the Board declined to reappoint her, Gibbons considered her options. As she told the Washington Lawyer, “Friends told me that maybe I should walk away, but I didn’t feel right about walking away because I know I did everything possible and within the law to ensure the integrity of our elections.”
Gibbons decided she needed an attorney. She reached out to EOLDN for pro bono legal support and soon was on the phone with Stephen Pershing of Kalijarvi, Chuzi, Newman & Fitch, P.C. Pershing agreed to represent Gibbons in her lawsuit to be reinstated as registrar. Pershing said that he believes EOLDN’s work is crucial in giving “nonpartisan election officials a way to fight back against hostile partisan takeovers of their functions.”
Gibbons, who has had to work as a substitute teacher to support her family, expressed her gratitude that EOLDN was able to match her with a pro bono attorney, saying “I don’t know if I would have been able to sustain the case on my own.”
If you are an election worker interested in exploring your legal options, we encourage you to submit a request for help. If you’re an attorney who wants to support an election worker, we urge you to learn more and join the network.
Election officials, join EOLDN for free crisis communications training
Thursday September 19, 2024, 2-3 pm ET
What's happening at CEIR
ABA Unsung Heroes of Democracy Award recipients
CEIR and EOLDN co-chairs honored with ABA Unsung Heroes of Democracy Award
The Center for Election Innovation & Research (CEIR) was named as one of the organizational recipients of the ABA Unsung Heroes of Democracy Award, recognizing those who have stood up for democracy, election security, the rule of law, and free and fair elections. EOLDN co-chairs Ben Ginsberg and Bob Bauer received the award for their nonpartisan work supporting election workers under unprecedented attack.
The ABA also named five election officials as recipients: Cathy Darling Allen, former Shasta County, CA Clerk and Registrar of Voters; Bill Gates, Maricopa County, AZ Board of Supervisors; Michella Huff, Surry County, NC Board of Elections; Stephen Richer, Maricopa County Recorder; and Meagan Wolfe, Wisconsin Elections Commission.
CEIR leadership accepted the awards at the ABA Annual Meeting, where they spoke to attendees about threats to democratic processes and election workers.
Voters should have full confidence in the 2024 election
David Becker, executive director of CEIR, joined Michigan Secretary of State and EOLDN advisory board member Jocelyn Benson and EOLDN co-chair Ben Ginsberg on PBS’s Firing Line to discuss election integrity ahead of November.
Becker emphasized for all voters that “Voting is easy… Your ballot is going to be counted accurately, and it matters.” Ginsberg added, “Your friends and neighbors are the ones that run elections. They care about your community.”
Watch the video to see these experts defend election security and reflect on election lawsuits, misinformation, claims of noncitizen voting, election worker abuse, and more.
David Becker discusses
election security
David Becker promoted the integrity and security of election processes on C-SPAN’s Washington Journal, addressing audience questions about noncitizen voting, losing candidates trying to pressure election officials, and more. Click below for the full video.
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EOLDN spreads the word
Webinar: Developing Compelling Messages
National Association of Counties Annual Conference (NACo)
National Association of State Election Directors (NASED) Conference
Interested in having EOLDN at your event? Contact us at outreach@eoldn.org.
Articles of Interest
Bipartisan Legal Group Urges Lawyers to Defend Against ‘Rising Authoritarianism’ — The New York Times
Commentary: Biden’s Withdrawal Changes the Politics, but Not the Election, by CEIR Executive Director David Becker — US News & World Report
Election officials continue to face threats, harassment ahead of November — ABC News
What is EOLDN?
EOLDN offers two services in support of election officials:
Pro Bono Legal Assistance: This service matches experienced pro bono attorneys with election officials who have been harassed and intimidated on the job.
Free Communications Assistance: This service matches eligible election offices with free election communications assistance.
Election Officials, Request Help
Click here to request legal or communications assistance on our website, eoldn.org or contact us via email at help@eoldn.org or phone at 1-877-313-5210 anytime.
Click here for EOLDN Terms and Conditions. If you believe you’re eligible to receive help from EOLDN and are interested in requesting assistance from a pro bono attorney or communications professional, we encourage you to get in touch.
Attorneys, Join Our Network of Lawyers
Please forward this message to attorney contacts, so EOLDN is prepared for 2024 and beyond. We need all types of attorneys, as election officials can experience a wide variety of legal issues stemming from their duties, and many simply need general guidance. Learn about joining the network as a pro bono attorney, or as a law firm, here.
Interested in helping us recruit other attorneys or firms into the network? We have information to help you present EOLDN to other lawyers. Please email outreach@eoldn.org for more information.