'Put Heart and Soul Into Upholding Democracy': An Election Official on What It Takes

‘Put Heart and Soul Into Upholding Democracy’: An Election Official on What It Takes
9/20/2022 by Natalie Tennant

Reflections from a former secretary of state—on her time in office and her work today as an advocate and champion for free and fair elections


(Courtesy of Natalie Tennant)

For a girl raised on a West Virginia farm, the youngest of seven children, it may seem surprising that elections have always fascinated me. I vividly recall accompanying my parents to the polls in a small nearby town. They would greet and chat with the poll workers and receive their ballot. I would go in the booth and carefully follow each race as my dad marked them off. When I asked why he didn’t vote for someone who was running unopposed, he’d reply, “We don’t want him to think everyone is for him, that way he’ll work harder.”
. . . . . .


Natalie Tennant’s family farm in West Virginia. (Courtesy of Natalie Tennant)

I knew then I had the capability of serving the people of West Virginia in elective office. Government shouldn’t be a hands-off, secret system where only a few are allowed to participate. I saw the need for different voices and ideas. So, I gave up my news anchor job and ran for secretary of state in 2004 where no incumbent was running. The 2000 presidential election, that was decided by the U.S. Supreme Court, showed us all the importance of election integrity—and the need for a strong leader committed to ensuring that voters were empowered. I lost that statewide race by 1,108 votes. If you ever wonder if your vote matters, this is proof! One more vote in each precinct and I would have won. Never deterred, four years later I ran again and won.

Serving as secretary of state was a perfect combination for me: a chance to promote the state, become an inclusive leader, innovate, take chances and push beyond expectations of the state’s smallest constitutional office. Because it was a constitutional office, I had more independence and control. So, I invested in the employees by offering them training, sending them to out-of-state conferences, and providing raises where possible. This prepared them for unprecedented asks I had of them and, in turn, make our office a leader in elections across the country. We were the third state in the country to pass bipartisan automatic voter registration legislation. We implemented online voter registration, conducted a pilot project for military internet voting, and established ballot tracking measures. We improved our website for greater transparency and information and saved the office money all at the same.


Tennant was the female mascot in West Virginia University’s history. (Courtesy of Natalie Tennant)

. . . .

After being defeated in my third term, I joined the Brennan Center for Justice as manager for state advocacy. I am fortunate to now share my experience as a practitioner with advocates and academics who every day put their heart and soul into upholding our democracy. In addition, I am a resident fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School’s Institute of Politics where I mentor undergraduates and conduct study groups on election administration. More than academic study, it’s an opportunity to work with young women and men and model how they can participate and make a difference. We need heroes—and we need to be heroes, as uncomfortable and unwelcoming as it may often be. This installment of Women & Democracy uplifts many of these stories. I am proud to be in the company of these women leaders.

https://msmagazine.com/2022/09/20/democracy-election-official-woman/