Staff Report
SAN MARCOS — Hays County Elections Administrator Jennifer Doinoff was appointed in May to co-chair the statewide education advisory committee of the Texas Association of Counties (TAC) County Elections Academy (CEA).
The newly formed committee will advise TAC and help set the curriculum for the CEA, a new education and training program specifically for those in county governments who administer elections.
“As the administrators for all elections, counties have an essential role in the democratic process,” said TAC Executive Director Susan M. Redford. “We are excited to launch a new education program to support county clerks, elections administrators, tax assessor-collectors and others as they continue to run accessible, secure, and safe elections amid new pressures and changing regulations.”
The CEA committee comprises four county clerks, four elections administrators, one tax assessor-collector and one ex-officio member representing the Office of the Secretary of State of Texas. Doinoff has served on several election boards and committees including:
• Elected to National EI-ISAC (Election Infrastructure Information Sharing and Analysis Center)
• Elected to Executive Board of Texas Association of Elections Administrators
• Legislative Committee Member of Texas Association of Elections Administrators
• Appointed to Secretary of State Elections Advisory Committee
• Certified Texas Registered Election Official - REO
• Certified National Election/Registration Administrator - CERA
“It’s an honor to be appointed to co-chair this important committee with my colleague Heather Hawthorne, county clerk of Chambers County,” Doinoff said. “The 87th Legislature made it clear that they would like to see more training for Texas election officials. This has been an ongoing discussion among those of us in the profession for quite a while.”
Doinoff added that budget restraints have kept many smaller counties from being able to participate.
“The creation of the TAC County Elections Academy will allow all Texas election officials to benefit from this valuable educational program and the rapidly changing environment in elections,” Doinoff said.
County Elections Academy provides education and resources for those county officials and personnel responsible for holding efficient and secure elections.
The first CEA conference will take place virtually Oct. 5-6.
