Michelle M. Shafer
@michelleshafer.bsky.social
Election Geek | Election Technology, Communications, and Research | Managing Principal, @MagentaSageLLC.bsky.social | Exec Director, @ElectionTechEd.bsky.social | RT≠ Agreement
Curious about the administration of voting by mail in the United States? Our latest blog post explores key indicators in the Elections Performance Index relating to VBM and UOCAVA voting, alongside the backdrop of VBM policies at the state and federal levels. Learn more:
Administration of Mail-In Voting
Measuring Data Across a Nationwide Patchwork of Policy Decisions
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Not sure how I have lived long enough to have celebrated America's Bicentennial in 1976 and now, America's Semiquincentennial! Time flies! Enjoy every minute and Happy Birthday to the US of A! 🇺🇸
Magenta Sage Strategies, LLC@magentasagellc.bsky.social · last mo.Happy Semiquincentennial! Here’s to shaping a secure, accessible, and resilient future for American democracy.
On July 4th, we celebrate the enduring spirit of freedom, progress, and democratic participation that defines the American journey. Happy 250th Independence Day! Know The Tools. Trust The Results. ElectionTechEducation.org
The Election Technology Fund (ETEF) explains the concept of air-gapping and how it relates to election security.
Election Technology Education Fund@electionteched.bsky.social · last mo.Today we highlight an important election security concept: Air-Gapping. What are "air-gapped" systems, and how do they protect elections? An air-gapped computer is a system that has a physical gap of air between it and the internet—meaning it is “offline” and isn't connected to the web at all! 1/
New from the @electionteched.bsky.social on Software Independence in Elections:
Election Technology Education Fund@electionteched.bsky.social · last mo.An important election security concept is: Software Independence. If a computer system makes a mistake—or if someone attempts to interfere with it—there is a reliable way to detect the problem. In elections, that safeguard is the paper ballot. More: www.electiontecheducation.org/straight-ans...
Election officials must be ready to address any kind of emergency situation, from natural disasters to technical snafus. Tomorrow, Karen Brinson Bell will be speaking on fostering resilient elections and a new national initiative, Partnership for Elections and Emergency Response.
Preparing for the Storm (and Other Natural Disasters)
Election officials have to be prepared for anything. But a 2025 survey of local election officials found that less than half had coordinated with emergency response agencies before the 2024 general election. Unfortunately, we know that natural disasters are a matter of “when,” not “if.” Fortunately, more and more attention is being paid to what election officials can do to prepare themselves, their offices, and their jurisdictions.
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A ? we hear often at the @electionteched.bsky.social (ETEF): "Are electronic ballot delivery, electronic ballot return, and online voting the same thing?" No. They’re not. And the differences matter for security, accessibility, and policy. Go to ElectionTechEducation.org for more!
📢 New blog from @caltechlcssp.bsky.social Co-Director, @rmichaelalvarez.bsky.social, LCSSP Postdoc, Rafal Kocielnik, & @caltech.edu Undergrad, Etienne Casanova: 🔸The Hidden Assumptions Behind AI Labels🔸 lcssp.caltech.edu/more/lcssp-b... 🔹LCSSP posts & archive: lcssp.caltech.edu/more/lcssp-b...
Fantastic experience at #ESRA this week. Thanks to all organizers and participants for an excellent experience!
MIT Election Lab@mitelectionlab.bsky.social · 2mo agoThe 2026 Election Science, Reform, and Administration (ESRA) conference is taking place this week! ESRA brings election officials, academics, and practitioners to share the latest ideas, research projects, and practical applications of all aspects of election administration in the United States.
Catch the latest #ElectionScienceFieldNotes Substack article from @caltech.edu's @rmichaelalvarez.bsky.social, @caltechlcssp.bsky.social co-director & @rcenteno.bsky.social, @caltechlcssp.bsky.social postdoc scholar teaching fellow. 🟠Read full article: electionscience.substack.com/p/elections-...
Elections Are About People
June 2, 2026 Primary Vote Center Observation Reflections
electionscience.substack.com
This year’s Election Science, Reform, and Administration conference would not have been possible without the host committee and the team at the Arizona State University Mechanics of Democracy Laboratory!
New from the Election Technology Education Fund (@electionteched.bsky.social) on Auditing:
Election Technology Education Fund@electionteched.bsky.social · 2mo ago🔍 How are election results audited? Election results in the U.S. are checked through audits. These checks help make sure the reported winners really got the most votes. Before an election, local officials test the equipment. After the election, they check ballots, seals, and printed results. 1/
Voter list maintenance is an essential step of election administration, helping officials ensure that elections remain secure & that each jurisdiction receives adequate resources to serve their voters. Interested in learning more about how this maintenance works? Read our explainer:
Voter list maintenance | MIT Election Lab
This explainer was last updated on May 19, 2026.
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Here’s a video from the May 20th episode of #ElectionScienceOfficeHours with host @caltechlcssp.bsky.social Co-Director @rmichaelalvarez.bsky.social & guest Thad Kousser, @ucsandiego.bsky.social, “Building Trust: Scholars & Election Officials Unite!” 🔶Full video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3lV...
📺 Watch the latest episode of #ElectionScienceOfficeHours - Science, Trust, and the June 2nd Primary: A Deep Dive into Election Transparency & Reform with host @caltechlcssp.bsky.social @rmichaelalvarez.bsky.social & guest Thad Kousser, @ucsandiego.bsky.social: www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3lV...
Science, Trust, and the June 2nd Primary: A Deep Dive into Election Transparency and Reform
YouTube video by Linde Center for Science, Society, and Policy
youtube.com
This Memorial Day, we honor the brave individuals who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation. The freedoms we enjoy today—including the fundamental right to vote—were secured by the profound courage of our fallen service members. Today and every day, we thank you.
This Memorial Day, we honor the brave Americans who gave their lives defending our democracy & the freedoms we cherish—including the right to vote. Their sacrifice reminds us that civic participation matters, so let's remember, reflect, and continue strengthening our democracy.
Miss last week's Books and Ballots webinar featuring researchers and practitioners specializing in rural election administration? Check out full coverage of their conversation on YouTube or Spotify Spotify: buff.ly/wzqOhpJ Youtube: buff.ly/EFg4Dc7
Research and Reality of Rural Election Administration
Books & Ballots · Episode
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Great webinar opportunity coming up next week when Orange County, CA ROV Bob Page joins @caltech.edu's @rmichaelalvarez.bsky.social for Election Science Office Hours. Register today!
Linde Center for Science, Society, & Policy at Caltech@caltechlcssp.bsky.social · 4mo agoJoin us on Wed., Apr. 8 at 11am Pacific for the next episode of #ElectionScienceOfficeHours: @caltechlcssp.bsky.social at @caltech.edu's @rmichaelalvarez.bsky.social will host Bob Page, Registrar of Voters (ROV) for Orange County, California. Register today: caltech.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
1/2 My fantastic collaborator @yimengli.bsky.social and I just published a Substack post on our universal voting by mail research that digs into how universal voting by mai boost turnout. Give the Substack a read! open.substack.com/pub/election...
Universal Voting By Mail Boosts Turnout
Evidence from a new study
open.substack.com
Great episode today! Give it a watch! #ElectionScienceOfficeHours
Linde Center for Science, Society, & Policy at Caltech@caltechlcssp.bsky.social · 4mo agoWatch today's episode of #ElectionScienceOfficeHours - Modernizing California Elections: Insights from Marin County Registrar of Voters Natalie Adona with host @rmichaelalvarez.bsky.social, @caltech.edu & guest Natalie Adona - on the @caltechlcssp.bsky.social's YouTube channel: youtu.be/pDyTGHM69_Y.
Reminder: This month's Books and Ballots webinar will be on Thursday, March 26 from 1-2 p.m. ET. RSVP using buff.ly/O8Httcv
Research & Reality of Rural Election Administration
This Books & Ballots webinar shares challenges and opportunities in rural election administration discussed at the Rural Election Administration Symposium recently hosted by the Institute for Rural Initiatives (IRI) at Arkansas State University.
us06web.zoom.us
Watch another clip from the Mar. 11th #ElectionScienceOfficeHours with host @caltechlcssp.bsky.social Co-Director @rmichaelalvarez.bsky.social & guest Steve Trout, Clear Ballot. Full video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gtr.... 🔊Listen to the latest podcasts here: lcssp.caltech.edu/priority-ini...
Join us on Wed., Mar. 25 at 11am Pacific for the next episode of #ElectionScienceOfficeHours: @caltech.edu's @rmichaelalvarez.bsky.social will host Natalie Adona, Registrar of Voters (ROV) for Marin County, California. Register today and join us next week: caltech.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
On his #ElectionScienceFIeldNotes @Substack, LCSSP at @caltech.edu Co-Director @rmichaelalvarez.bsky.social penned this new post: 🔒 AI & Election Security: Who is Guarding our Elections? 🔒 Read & Subscribe: open.substack.com/pub/election...
#ElectionGeeks, Steve Trout is @rmichaelalvarez.bsky.social's guest on #ElectionScienceOfficeHours today, March 11 at 11am Pacific. Register at the link below and join us!
Linde Center for Science, Society, & Policy at Caltech@caltechlcssp.bsky.social · 5mo agoJoin us Wed., March 11 at 11am Pacific for the next episode of the #ElectionScienceOfficeHours webinar and podcast series: @caltech.edu's @rmichaelalvarez.bsky.social will host guest Stephen Trout, Clear Ballot to discuss his current role and more! Register today: caltech.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
ICYMI: the ESRA Conference is looking for someone to host the 2027 conference. Could that be you? Proposals are due by Friday, March 13! Learn more on their website ➡️
Call for Proposals to Host
Contact
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New on Substack from @rmichaelalvarez.bsky.social: Agents, Audits, and Assets: The New Playbook for Federal Election Involvement @caltechlcssp.bsky.social @caltech.edu
Linde Center for Science, Society, & Policy at Caltech@caltechlcssp.bsky.social · 5mo agoRead the latest post by @rmichaelalvarez.bsky.social, Co-Director of @caltechlcssp.bsky.social on his Substack: Agents, Audits, and Assets: The New Playbook for Federal Election Involvement🔸️What could federal involvement in the 2026 midterms look like? electionscience.substack.com/p/agents-aud...
Another insightful episode of @caltechlcssp.bsky.social's #ElectionScienceOfficeHours, hosted by @caltech.edu's @rmichaelalvarez.bsky.social. This episode on election cybersecurity featured guest Mike Moser, formerly of CISA and Commonweath of PA. Check it out!
Linde Center for Science, Society, & Policy at Caltech@caltechlcssp.bsky.social · 5mo agoCatch today's #ElectionScienceOfficeHours - Supporting Election Stakeholders at the Intersection of Administration, Technology, & Security - @rmichaelalvarez.bsky.social, @caltech.edu and Mike Moser, Moser Solutions LLC - on the @caltechlcssp.bsky.social's YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVcU....
Mike Moser on #ElectionScienceOfficeHours 2/25, hosted by @rmichaelalvarez.bsky.social - Bridging the Gap: Supporting Election Stakeholders at the Intersection of Administration, Technology & Security
Linde Center for Science, Society, & Policy at Caltech@caltechlcssp.bsky.social · 6mo agoJoin us Wed., Feb 25 at 11am Pacific for the next episode of @rmichaelalvarez.bsky.social at @caltech.edu's #ElectionScienceOfficeHours webinar and podcast series with guest Mike Moser, Founder of Moser Solutions LLC! Register today and join us next week: caltech.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
