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    October 13, 2024 ABA Task Force for American Democracy

    Ethical Standards for Election Administration

    Bob Bauer, Benjamin Ginsberg, and Charles Stewart III
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    Summary

    This report outlines and explains seven ethical principles for election administration.

    These principles should be accompanied by a corresponding set of standards of conduct that reflect realistic scenarios encountered by election officials at different levels of election administration. For instance, one of the ethical principles is “adhere to the law.” To implement this principle, a county election director might be directed to seek legal counsel when the law is ambiguous, while a polling place officer might be directed to seek guidance from the local election office when the official is uncertain how to handle a situation at the polls.

    Key Recommendations

    The seven ethical principles are:

    1. Adhere to the law. Election officials have a duty to administer the law as written and interpreted by the relevant authorities.
    2. Protect and defend the integrity of the election process. Election officials have a duty to ensure the integrity of elections and to safeguard against unfounded attacks on the integrity of the election process.
    3. Promote transparency in the conduct of elections. Election officials have a duty to make election administration transparent to the public.
    4. Treat all participants in the election process impartially. Election officials have an obligation to treat all participants in the electoral process impartially, including voters, candidates, citizens, and political committees.
    5. Demonstrate personal integrity. Election officials have a duty to conduct themselves honestly and forthrightly in all interactions with superiors, peers, candidates, campaign officials, and the general public.
    6. Practice the highest level of ethics and stewardship. Election officials have a duty to expend public funds carefully and foster respect among employees and volunteers.
    7. Advance professional excellence. Election officials have a duty to stay informed about election laws and new developments in election management.