National Democratic County Officials
Policy Committee
Statement of Support for Bipartisan Infrastructure
County officials in the U.S. are responsible for oversight of 45% of our country’s roads and 40% of our country’s bridges. County officials are also responsible for airports, train stations, and other transportation hubs, in cities large and small. The pandemic has taught us that the world – and its transportation systems – are interdependent and a fundamental part of our economy, now and in the future. Long delayed, infrastructure investments are essential to moving our economy forward and maintaining quality of life. Counties play an essential role in ensuring that our citizens have the structures needed to survive and flourish, and support from federal partners is critical.
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act addresses priorities critical to our communities:
- It invests $110 billion for roads, bridges, and major transportation projects.
- It modernizes transit and improves accessibility.
- It creates the largest investment in passenger rail since the creation of Amtrak in 1971.
- It has a real vision for the future, creating an electric vehicle charging network.
- It prioritizes ports and airports, hubs that are essential to our global economy.
- It upgrades water and sewer lines to ensure clean and safe drinking water for all of our communities.
- Ensures clean and safe drinking water with $55 billion in line upgrades.
- It begins to address the digital divide by expanding high-speed Internet.
The American people gave a mandate to elected leaders to work together for their constituents. NDCO stands ready to work with all and sees the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act as the best investment that has been presented for our communities. It will move America forward in increasingly interconnected world, create thousands of jobs and ensure access to critically important needs.
Election Protection Task Force
Statement of Principles for the Administration of American Elections
The Election Protection Task Force of the National Democratic County Officials seeks to guide local elections officials with key principles to secure the integrity of our elections and foster confidence in the process and outcome of American elections.
Whereas, elections in the United States are decentralized and predominately administered by county and local elections officials; and
Whereas, local elections officials are charged with interpreting and enacting strategies within the guidelines of federal and state election law to administer elections; and
Whereas, every local election jurisdiction implements election administration individually; and
Whereas, local elections officials work cooperatively to provide support and guidance;
The Election Protection Task Force of the National Democratic County Officials does hereby commit to the following principles:
- The American people own the election and their vote is their voice.
- Communication needs to be thorough and inclusive of all regardless of physical ability, language or socio-economics.
- Simplicity and efficiency are the hallmarks of a positive voter experience.
- Voters should always remain the top priority in elections administration and process decisions.
- Transparency builds confidence in the system and outcome.
- Security of the entire elections process is essential.
- Elections integrity requires accountability of local elections officials.
American elections are the ultimate foundation for our democracy. As we strive to advance a more perfect Union, and move away from exclusionary policies and laws of the past, we adopt these principles in order to move towards equitable and inclusive elections for all Americans. Elections administrators must serve as responsible stewards when considering the voter experience, confidence in the system, and all aspects of security.