Who Does What?

Voting can be complicated. Have you noticed? For the upcoming November 4 election, for example, New Jersey polls will be open 6 a.m.-8 p.m. In Virginia, it’s 6 a.m.-7 p.m. Texans can vote from 7 a.m.- 7 p.m. The dates (and locations!) for early voting are just as confusing. Early voting in Texas starts October 20 while in Virginia, it started on September 19!

At iVoterGuide, we do our best to keep track of all these details to help you make your plans to vote. But why are election days and details so varied, state to state? And sometimes, even county to county?

In the United States, we have a decentralized election process. That means election structures change not only across state lines, but also across jurisdictions in the same state. There are more than 10,000 election jurisdictions in the United States, ranging in population from fewer than 1,000 to more than 5.5 million. If you move to a new state, or even a new county, you may find your voting experience to be very different.

Breaking down the differences

States enforce federal and state laws and make election policy, while local governments implement the process. State-level oversight is essential for fairness and federal compliance because local governments can vary significantly in size and capacity. Because of the localized process, elections can feel very different to voters when it comes to wait times, the number of polling places available, and the condition of those locations. State laws also vary. What one state requires for voter ID, early voting, and mail ballots might not exist in another state.

Local election processes can include appointments of election officials; registration and voting; poll deliveries; ballot counts; and “canvassing” returns. (“Canvassing” just means that ballots are officially examined.) And don’t forget reporting the returns! All of these duties are critical and directly impact your voting.

You can see why states depend on local governments to execute well. If local election officials are underfunded or don’t get the support and training they need, it can affect the quality of the election. Local governments also rely heavily on election judges and poll workers to make sure elections run smoothly, and this is where you can help. If you have an election happening in your state this fall, consider signing up to work the polls.

Local and state offices differ significantly. In many states an elected official known as the secretary of state oversees elections. But in other states, this responsibility might fall to the lieutenant governor, an election commissioner, an elections board, or a combination of a board and an election official. A state board or a governor appoints someone for this job in certain states, and confirmation for the position is required by some state legislatures—but not others. On the local level, elections might be run by one official, a board or election commission, or a combination. Is your head spinning yet?

Varied processes within state lines usually have to do with differences in jurisdictional size. Smaller jurisdictions are more likely to have an elected official who monitors elections, while also performing other county duties (i.e. a county clerk, recorder, registrar, or auditor). Larger jurisdictions often have an election official whose only job is administering elections.

How does this impact me?

We keep track of all these differences at iVoterGuide so you don’t have to! So we hope you’ll point others to iVoterGuide again and again, while also sharing specific information that you learn here about candidates and election details. As each Election Day approaches, we want to make it as easy as possible for you to cast your vote, make informed choices on your ballot, and spread the good news of your findings with others.

Even when it’s not a major election year, we want to help you grow in your understanding of the critical role each American plays in keeping our Republic strong and resilient. This past year we’ve tried to help you brush up on American civics and history, while also reflecting upon Christian discipleship and how it informs our citizenship. We hope all of these reflections and information have been helpful to you.

Again, we do our best to make this information as shareable as possible. Because it’s about more than just “getting out the vote” on Election Day. It’s about understanding what’s at stake for our republic and standing up for her.