The Election Resilience Lab is a hub for research to identify and demonstrate what works to strengthen the people and workplaces of democracy.
Our research is co-created by academic researchers, election officials and workforce development specialists as a part of the Center for Democracy and Civic Engagement’s commitment to inclusive consensus.
Resilient elections begin with a resilient workforce.
Election officials across the country are working long hours under challenging working conditions to meet ever-changing demands. Exhaustion and burnout pose risks to the performance of the election system
We can reduce burnout among election professionals.
Applied research, drawing on lessons from other fields, can help alleviate strain and improve performance. The Election Resilience Lab brings together researchers, workforce development specialists and former election officials to:
- test practical solutions to common staffing challenges
- measure results to demonstrate what’s working and help target areas for improvement
- build an evidence base to support improvements in management practices, policy, and resource allocation
Understanding the HR of Democracy
We studied how election offices were staffed during the 2024 election using an innovative research approach that mobilized former election officials to conduct observations in election offices across the country. We focused on the role of public sector human resource management systems in shaping the capacity of election offices to meet rising demands. Our report, The HR of Democracy: Understanding the Election Workforce, offers recommendations to help election officials engage in comprehensive workforce planning.
The HR of Democracy: Understanding the Election Workforce
Election Resilience is a Capacity Problem
At the Election Resilience Lab, we research what works to strengthen the people and workplaces of democracy. Subscribe to our Substack to receive updates by email about our research on institutional factors of resilience, including staffing, management practices, processes, and infrastructure.
Strengthening the Elections Workforce
Working closely with partners in election offices and other government agencies, nonprofits, as well as scholars from across disciplines, public sector recruitment experts, and philanthropy, CDCE is using a variety of research methods to understand how we can strengthen the elections workforce and build trust in elections.
Learn More About Strengthening the Elections Workforce
Election Official Needs/Interest Form
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Election offices across the country are facing acute workforce challenges — from insufficient funding and outdated job classifications to difficulty recruiting and retaining skilled staff. These pressures affect not only daily operations but also the long-term resilience of our election system.
Election Talent Partners is working with the Election Resilience Lab at the University of Maryland to conduct research and develop tools to support you in addressing these challenges. You can help us by completing this short questionnaire to highlight the needs of your office, surface solutions, and shape resources to directly support election offices like yours.
Election Career Resources
Our Job Seekers' Guide to Election Administration and Job Openings Board supports individuals seeking careers in making democracy happen and ensuring that every ballot counts.
