Operational Contingencies, Degraded Environments, and Elections

• In Event: Electoral Accountability, Integrity, & Security

Abstract

In this paper we take up several questions about degraded environments and elections. We focus particularly on election security, made important because of the 2017 Department of Homeland Security designation by President Obama of elections as part of the critical infrastructure under DHS authority. Using data obtained from interviews with election administrators and observational data from election sites, we examine how organizations plan for and operate in degraded environments as a consequence of intelligent action or natural disaster, as well as how the new DHS designation affects election administration. We draw upon public administration literature that explains the ways that public and nongovernmental organizations adapt to environmental conditions, organizational linkages, boundaries, and boundary roles. In particular, we examine strategies based upon theories of governance and agency (Millesen 2003), borrowed strength (Manna 2006), boundary spanning (Thompson 1967, 2011), and cooptation (Selznick 1949,1996).

Authors

• Bob Smith, National Intelligence University

• Kathleen Hale, Auburn University

• Mitchell Brown, Auburn University