Tabletop exercise ensures Election Day readiness
Murphy’s law says, “Anything that can go wrong will go wrong.” While Murphy’s law is often used in jest, Wayne County Board of Elections employees take the adage seriously and prepare for scenarios ranging from power outages to protests, false narratives and adverse weather.
The importance of thorough planning and simulation cannot be overstated. Tabletop exercises provide a structured solution to catastrophic scenarios by fostering collaboration and enhancing communication among all parties involved. Participants can identify gaps in their plans by walking through potential scenarios in a low-stakes setting, clarifying roles and responsibilities, and developing effective response strategies.
About 20 stakeholders from law enforcement, the emergency management agency, information technology, communications and others met recently in the BOE’s Metzler Room to clarify roles and responsibilities and develop effective response strategies to situations that could interrupt Election Day proceedings.
According to BOE Director Julie Leathers Stahl, the year 2020 was a perfect example of why tabletop exercises are valuable.
“COVID was challenging,” Stahl said. “All of the things we had to source from others and build ourselves to have voting was immense. It was almost like everything we discussed today as the exercise happened.”
The stakes were high for the BOE in 2020. New directives were arriving daily, and it was paramount to determine how to follow them while maintaining procedural integrity.
“We had sickness, bad weather and staffing problems,” Stahl said. “It was all there, everything. We got a directive that a Dropbox had to be installed. Within three days it was installed, and security cameras and signage soon followed.”
Many possibilities can unfold on Election Day, ranging from the routine to the extraordinary, and preparedness can mean the difference between a smoothly executed election and one fraught with chaos. Each member of the tabletop exercises contributes insight that reflects the multifaceted nature of election operations, potential challenges and mitigation ideas.
Another key to a successful tabletop exercise is creating scenarios that mirror real-world challenges. This allows teams to think critically and respond effectively under pressure.
Once the tabletop exercise is complete, the work of actionable recommendations and follow-up training begins. Continuous improvement is not just a goal; it’s a necessity. According to Stahl, tabletop exercises give staff the knowledge and confidence to ensure every election is conducted smoothly and fairly.
Dan Starcher is the public communications coordinator for Wayne County.
