Safe & Secure Elections: Training Guide & De-Escalation Resources for Election Workers

The "Prepare for Safe Elections: Training Guide for State Election Protection Leaders" emphasizes the importance of planning and training to ensure the safety of voters, poll volunteers, and organizers during the election season. Held on August 20th and August 29th, register by August 19th to attend. The guide, developed with partners like Common Cause and Vision Change Win, outlines four key steps for election protection leaders and provides links to training resources. Upcoming training opportunities include sessions on electoral safety and de-escalation techniques, as well as new de-escalation resources for election workers provided by the Bridging Divides Initiative and The Elections Group. A self-paced 30 minute course and downloadable resources are also available. Read the blog post below and learn more here. 

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Prepare for Safe Elections: Training Guide for State Election Protection Leaders

Planning and training can create the conditions for communities – including voters, poll volunteers, canvassers, organizers, and others – to stay safe during the election season. This new guide – produced together with Common Cause, State Voices, and Vision Change Win – breaks down four steps that state-based election protection leaders can take to get ready for the vote, with links to training and support resources from across the pro-democracy ecosystem.

Upcoming Training Opportunities:

• August 20, 2024: Introduction to Electoral Safety, De-escalation, and Safety for Canvassers | Don’t miss the first session of Vision Change Win’s two-part electoral safety training program, BOOTS. This training will be held virtually on August 20. Register here
  
  
• August 29, 2024: Electoral Safety Training for Trainers | If you have intermediate or advanced safety and security experience, you may be eligible for Vision Change Win’s Electoral Safety Training for Trainers. This session will take place virtually on August 29, and provide participants with tools for building a safety team, training your team, and developing protocols for your team. Apply by August 19 to attend.

Article URL: ​bridgingdivides.princeton.edu/updates/2024/prepare-safe-elections-training-guide-state-election-protection-leaders

Safe Elections PDF: safeelectionstrainings.pdf

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BDI Partners with TEG on New De-Escalation Resources for Election Workers
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​The Bridging Divides Initiative (BDI) and The Elections Group have partnered to create a new set of de-escalation resources to support election workers.

Among the resources included:

• A 30-minute self-paced course, accessible through The Elections Group's new Election Learning Lab. Officials can sign up election workers and other team members for the training here.
  • Template training slides are available for offices to utilize for in-person election worker de-escalation training sessions
• Information on organizations that provide comprehensive in-person and virtual de-escalation training sessions from BDI's state-by-state De-Escalation Directory.
• Jointly hosted webinar on de-escalation resources and principles – to be held August 29 at noon ET. Register here.

By prioritizing de-escalation principles for election workers, election officials can help foster an environment where everyone feels heard and respected, allowing for safe and productive interactions.

Election officials interested in using the self-paced course should fill out this form by September 15 to ensure access.

Article URL: bridgingdivides.princeton.edu/updates/2024/bdi-partners-teg-new-de-escalation-resources-election-workers