Appalachian Leaders Democracy Champions

From county clerks to secretaries of state, election officials are the champions of our democracy. They ensure U.S. elections are free, fair, and safe; they work to counter disinformation and misinformation; and they are advocates for voting rights and access.  

The Q&A profiles below feature election officials who shared their insights, experiences, and expertise on how to prepare for elections, enhance election security, protect election workers, and more.  

Are you an election official with a story to tell? Contact jess@appalachianleaders.org to participate in the Democracy is on the Ballot Showcase.

Appalachian Democracy champions PROFILES

 

byron bell

Board of Elections Deputy Director, Wayne County, Ohio
View profile

 
 

Gail Garbrandt

Board of Elections Director, Tuscarawas County, Ohio
View profile

 
 

jeff greenburg

Senior Advisor, Election Administration, Committee of Seventy
Former Elections Director, Mercer County, Pennsylvania
View profile

 
 

thad hall

Mercer County Elections Director, Pennsylvania
View profile

 
 

forrest lehman

Lycoming County Director of Elections and Registration, Pennsylvania
View profile

 
 

SARA MAY-SILFEE

Monroe County Director of Elections and Voter Registration, Pennsylvania
View profile

 
 

Aaron Ockerman

Executive Director, Ohio Association of Election Officials
View profile

 
 

Natalie Tennant

Manager for State Advocacy, Democracy Program,
The Brennan Center for Justice
And Former Secretary of State, West Virginia
View profile

 
 

Al Schmidt

Secretary of the Commonwealth, Pennsylvania
View profile

 
 

Tonya Wichman

Director of Elections, Defiance County, Ohio
View profile

 
 

Michelle Wilcox and Luke Scott

Board of Elections Director, and Deputy Director, Auglaize County, Ohio
View profile