WSU’s Walker Institute Offers Education Certificate for Election Officials
OGDEN, Utah – Election officials from 14 counties in Utah are enrolled in the new VOTE Certification program offered through the Olene S. Walker Institute of Politics & Public Service at Weber State University. The first-of-its-kind course provides a foundation for Utah’s election workers to run free and fair elections by increasing their knowledge about the process, its rules and history.
Voter suppression and election integrity have dominated the country’s political conversation. Republicans and Democrats have proposed changes to state and federal laws.
VOTE Certification is a non-partisan effort that was developed in collaboration with the Lieutenant Governor’s Office, clerks from several counties and the Walker Institute.
“Ultimately, preserving citizens’ trust in the integrity of America’s political process and elections is crucial to maintaining the American experiment and is foundational to every other right we enjoy,” said Devin Wiser, Walker Institute executive director. “Working to keep that trust is worth the investment.”
Beginning with a two-day block, June 17 and 18, each course will include seven hours of instruction. Courses include topics about election law, data analytics, conflict resolution and security. Participants will return to Weber State two or three times per year for additional training. After completing 10 courses, they will earn their certification.
The curriculum was developed by the Walker Institute and approved by an advisory board and will be taught by election professionals and university educators from Weber State and Utah State University.
So far, 36 election officials have enrolled in the course, which will be taught primarily in person in Weber State’s Lindquist Hall Room 169. The format will foster networking among election officials through team activities and exercises that reinforce the learning objectives of the course and allow students to apply the knowledge.
“Without exception, election officials want to administer free and fair elections. The VOTE Certification courses provide the background, tools and resources not easily available in each county,” said Leah Murray, Walker Institute academic director. “These courses bring the collective knowledge of many to help each individual successfully accomplish democracy’s most important function, holding free and fair elections that ensure voter confidence.”
The Walker Institute is housed in the College of Social & Behavioral Sciences. For more information or to register for the course, visit this link.
Visit weber.edu/wsutoday for more news about Weber State University.
Allison Barlow Hess, Public Relations director
801-626-7948 • ahess@weber.edu- Contact:
Devin Wiser, Walker Institute executive director
801-626-6252 • devinwiser@weber.edu