Mark Coakley

I am the Director of Elections and General Registrar in Henrico County, and I’ve worked in election administration for nearly 30 years – more than two decades right here in Virginia. In that time, I’ve seen a lot change – new technology, new laws, new challenges – but one thing has always stayed the same: the commitment of election officials to run elections that are accurate, secure, and worthy of the public’s trust. Every election, thousands of people across the country – registrars, poll workers, local staff – put in long hours behind the scenes to make sure that when voters show up, the process works and their voices are heard. It’s not partisan work. It’s public service. And it depends on integrity, professionalism, and respect, for the law, for the process, and for each other. That’s why I’ve joined others across the country in affirming the Principles for Trusted Elections – a simple, nonpartisan pledge built on five shared commitments: an honest process, secure voting, responsible oversight, nonviolence in campaigns, and respect for certified outcomes. These principles reflect what I’ve witnessed for decades: that trust in elections isn’t just about systems or machines – it’s about people working together to protect something bigger than any one election.