Michelle M. Shafer

The most important work I have ever done - and where I have learned the most - in my elections career was serving as as an Election Judge for the Travis County (TX) Clerk's office fir over a decade! Be a Poll Worker!

October 24, 2026 is #VoteEarlyDay! @voteearlyday.bsky.social

New preprint from @caltechlcssp.bsky.social's @rcenteno.bsky.social & @rmichaelalvarez.bsky.social! Findings suggest confidence in elections is not distributed equally across the electorate and uncover persistent racial gaps in voter confidence. 📖 Read more: preprints.apsanet.org/engage/apsa/...

Today is #ElectionHeroDay! We extend our heartfelt gratitude to every election worker who makes democracy possible in communities large & small nationwide. US Democracy works because you do. #ThankYouElectionHeroes for your unwavering commitment to fair, secure & accessible elections for all voters!

Democracy depends, in part, on public trust that elections are fair and accurate. But how do researchers measure something like trust, and how can that research help election officials in their work? Learn more about the latest research in improving voter trust in: buff.ly/Lt1SmNw

Today is #NationalVoterRegistrationDay, a reminder that democracy works best when everyone has the opportunity to make their voice heard. Take a moment to check your voter registration, update your information if needed, and encourage your friends, family, and community to do the same!

The Election Technology Education Fund joins organizations & communities across the country in recognizing @NatlVoterRegDay, a nonpartisan civic holiday focused on making voter registration more visible & accessible. Know The Tools. Trust The Results. ElectionTechEducation.org

Learn about the elections process and technology in your local jurisdiction while serving your community and working to uphold the democratic process. Contact your local election office and become a poll worker!

🚨Read the latest publication from @caltechlcssp.bsky.social Co-Director, @rmichaelalvarez.bsky.social, Mitchell Linegar, Betsy Sinclair, and @profsanderlinden.bsky.social in the latest issue of @royalsociety.org Open Science! 🟨 Paper: royalsocietypublishing.org/rsos/article...

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:

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! 🇺🇸

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.

New from the @electionteched.bsky.social on Software Independence in Elections:

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.

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!

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-...

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:

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:

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...

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

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!

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...

Great episode today! Give it a watch! #ElectionScienceOfficeHours

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

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!

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 ➡️

New on Substack from @rmichaelalvarez.bsky.social: Agents, Audits, and Assets: The New Playbook for Federal Election Involvement @caltechlcssp.bsky.social @caltech.edu

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!

Mike Moser on #ElectionScienceOfficeHours 2/25, hosted by @rmichaelalvarez.bsky.social - Bridging the Gap: Supporting Election Stakeholders at the Intersection of Administration, Technology & Security

Please follow @electionteched.bsky.social and learn more about the ETEF's important work. electiontecheducation.org

Happy Presidents Day!

Visit our website at electiontecheducation.org to learn more about the #ElectionTechnologyEducationFund!

Happy Valentine's Day to #ElectionGeeks everywhere!

Great episode! Tune in if you missed it!

👀 Fulton County

ICYMI, you can watch the US House Administration Committee's Make Elections Great Again hearing on @cspanwj.bsky.social here: www.c-span.org/event/house-...

On WAMU 885 / @npr.org : "If You Can Keep It: Donald Trump and #ElectionIntegrity" produced by Lauren Hamilton with guests @sethbluestein.bsky.social , @larrynorden.bsky.social, @nytnickc.bsky.social & @jessicahuseman.bsky.social: the1a.org/segments/if-...