Alameda County is one of California's most populous and diverse counties, serving over 1.6 million
residents. Governed under a charter form of government, the County is led by a five-member
Board of Supervisors, which sets policy, oversees operations, approves the annual budget, and
represents the County regionally. The Board-appointed County Administrator directs departments
in delivering programs aligned with Vision 2036, the County's forward-thinking strategic framework
focused on equity, well-being, and thriving communities. The County employs over 10,000 staff
across 21 agencies and departments and manages a $6.1 billion annual budget, providing vital
services including health care, social services, public works, elections, criminal justice, and other
public and safety net services common to county government.
ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT
The County Registrar of Voters department is charged with administering
elections in Alameda County. Core responsibilities include registering eligible
voters, preparing and mailing ballots, recruiting and training elections workers,
setting up polling stations/vote centers, and conducting local, state and federal
elections in a fair, accurate, and efficient manner, while working in conjunction with the Secretary
of State and the many levels of government (including cities, school boards and other local
districts) that place matters on the ballot. Examples of other duties include processing candidate
nominating petitions and other candidate services, establishing/updating voting precincts,
tabulating and certifying election results, and conducting outreach to encourage broad voter
participation across the County’s diverse communities.
THE ROLE: KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
The ROV serves as the County’s chief election administration executive and department head,
appointed by the Board of Supervisors to lead all aspects of voter registration and election
operations. The role provides strategic direction, oversight, and accountability for the planning,
conduct, and certification of elections; the management of voting systems and technology; the
integrity of voter records; and the implementation of evolving State and Federal election laws. With
responsibility for year-round operational readiness, the ROV directs a multifaceted organization
that oversees ballot design and production, precinct and mapping systems, vote tabulation, public
information, petition verification, and large-scale staffing for election events, ensuring accessible,
transparent, accurate, and timely election services for all Alameda County voters.
Executive Leadership & Governance
• Provide vision, strategic direction, and operational excellence in all election functions.
• Lead a year-round team of 50 permanent staff and up to 1,500+ temporary workers during
major elections.
• Collaborate effectively with the Board, Elections Commission, cities, school districts, and
community partners.
Election Operations & Technology
• Oversee Vote-by-Mail processing, Central Count operations, and secure tabulation workflows.
• Maintain chain-of-custody and asset-tracking systems using modern, technology-supported
methods.
• Implement ranked-choice voting and youth voting effectively where authorized.
• Ensure all voting systems are secure, accurate, tested, and fully compliant.
Legal and Regulatory Compliance
• Serve as the County expert in California Election Code, federal requirements, signature
verification, and voter-roll maintenance.
• Implement new legislative mandates, including expanded electronic signature-cure processes
and updated privacy/security protocols.
Transparency, Communications & Public Engagement
• Lead efforts to build trust through livestreams, public observation, multilingual outreach, and
rapid response to misinformation.
• Expand civic education, particularly around Ranked-Choice Voting (RCV), Youth Voting and ballot
processes.
Fiscal Management & Human Resources (HR) Leadership
• Manage a budget of over $32 million, forecast variable election costs, and pursue
reimbursement.
• Oversee large-scale workforce recruitment and multilingual staffing to meet community needs.
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
The ideal ROV candidate is an accomplished executive leader, highly knowledgeable of election
laws and administration, with the ability to demonstrate:
Core Competencies
• Strategic leadership and change management
• Deep knowledge of California and federal election law
• Operational excellence in large-scale logistics
• Public transparency and effective communication skills
• Financial stewardship and HR acumen
• Resilience, integrity, and commitment to nonpartisan professionalism
Technical Strengths
• Experience with complex voting systems
• Understanding of cybersecurity and technology oversight
• Proficiency with asset-tracking and chain-of-custody systems
Equity & Community Leadership
• Commitment to inclusive elections
• Experience serving multilingual, multicultural communities
• Ability to design targeted turnout and education strategies
To learn more about this exciting opportunity, please click the thumbnail below to view the recruitment brochure.