HAVA at 20: Building Trust in Elections

The Pepperdine School of Public Policy (SPP) and the US Election Assistance Commission will host a series of panels in recognition of the 20^th anniversary of the signing of the Help America Vote Act of 2022 (HAVA) and the 25^th anniversary of SPP. Election officials and subject matter experts will hold panels on confidence in elections, security and technology in elections, current issues in election administration, and the future of elections. 

This conference will host a series of panels on confidence in elections, security and technology in elections, current issues in election administration, and the future of elections. “Confidence in Elections” will discuss some of the data identifying trends for the increase in mis-and-dis-information, and ways to address the challenges that stem from it. “Security and Technology in Elections” will discuss the role of election officials as IT managers, which requires a unique set of attitudes, knowledge, and skills to plan, direct, and control contemporary election administration. “Current Issues in Election Administration (Clearinghouse/HAVA Grants)” will discuss election funding through HAVA and the impact those grants have on supporting elections during critical moments over the last 20 years. “Future of Elections- HAVA 20 Years From Now” will discuss how HAVA is still relevant, how elections will evolve in the future, and what can be done to build confidence in our elections. 

Watch Building Trust In Elections

AGENDA

11 AM-Noon — Lunch and Keynote Address

12:15-1:30 PM — PANEL 1: Confidence in Elections

An increase in mis- and disinformation, as well as unfounded allegations of election irregularities, has increased public distrust in election administration. This panel will discuss some of the data identifying trends for this issue and ways to address these challenges and improve confidence.

1:30-2:45 PM — PANEL 2: Security and Technology in Elections

Technology has transformed American elections over the past 20 years. The panel will discuss the role of modern election officials as Information Technology (IT) managers, which requires a unique set of attitudes, knowledge, and skills to plan, direct, and control contemporary election administration. The panel will also discuss the increased coordination between government and private sector partners to keep elections secure and how election officials are handling the physical and cyber threats made to election officials and election infrastructure.

3-4:15 PM — PANEL 3: Current Issues in Election Administration (Clearinghouse/Hava Grants)

HAVA attempted to address the issues of election funding and resources in addition to ways to improve elections for federal office through the establishment of federal grant funding and a federal election administration clearinghouse. These remain relevant issues in current election administration practice. This panel will discuss election funding through HAVA and the impact of HAVA grants to support elections during critical moments of election administration over the last 20 years. The panel will also address the importance of exchanging information on election practices and procedures and what additional challenges lie ahead.

4:15-5:30 PM — PANEL 4: Future Of Elections - Hava 20 Years From Now

HAVA was passed in response to the election crisis of 2000—five years before the iPhone was invented. Much has changed with technology and election administration since then. This panel will address how HAVA is still relevant and how elections will evolve in the future and what can be done to continue to inspire confidence in our elections.