Senior Election Expert at The Elections Group, Committee for Safe and Secure Elections Member, former EAC and former RH Clerk, - opinions and tweets are my own.

Joined March 2012
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Are you interested in Michigan Election Law and processes? @oaklandu is now offering Michigan election classes, with the opportunity to obtain a certification in Michigan Election Administration. Registration is now open. Classes are online, affordable, and open to anyone. For more information visit: oakland.edu/polisci/election…

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Tina Barton retweeted
If you'd told me, ex-ante, that Tina Peters got 4.5 years, I would have said, "OK. I don't know much about sentencing in Colorado, but seems fine." But @jaredpolis 's defensive commentary about how Peters's crime had "zero to do with the Presidential election" is asinine. Yes, the criminal act was for test during 2021. But what the heck do you think motivated it? And why the interest in tabulation equipment? And what do you think she and her merry band were trying to achieve? Of course the conspiracies regarding tabulation equipment used in the 2020 presidential election motivated the unlawful act. And of course their goal was to cast doubt on the 2020 election. To say otherwise is obtuse beyond measure.
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“When you participate in democracy, sometimes it doesn’t turn out the way you want it to,” he told dozens of supporters in Baton Rouge. “But you don’t pout. You don’t whine. You don’t claim that an election was stolen from you.” nytimes.com/2026/05/16/us/po…
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Now is a great time to begin your Election Administrator Certification journey! Our next class, Communications in Elections, begins April 30. Ready to get started? Join here: pace.oakland.edu/search/publ…
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Tina Barton retweeted
Elon Musk: Do your part to prevent political violence and change the X algorithm to favor political compromise rather than feeding outrage. Every person can make a difference Right now, that person is you
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Tina Barton retweeted
“The shooting that happened this evening at the @whca dinner is beyond reprehensible. It’s unimaginable that a room full of hundreds of public servants and members of the media, who are together to honor the freedom of the press, have to worry about their physical safety and wellbeing. As with each of these tragic occurrences, we thank the @SecretService, @DCPoliceDept, and all other members of law enforcement and first responders. Stay safe and thank you for you dedication." --CSSE Co-chairs @TinaLBarton and @CGrotton
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Thank you to my former congressman, @MikeBishopMI, for this op-ed in the @detroitnews. "The latest round of political chest-thumping over "federalizing elections" is a perfect example of how unserious our national conversation has become." detroitnews.com/story/opinio…
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Tina Barton retweeted
Another round of Speaker Spotlights for the 2026 NSA Winter Conference is here! Today we’re highlighting sessions happening Saturday, January 31, at 2:15 p.m., featuring timely conversations on death notification best practices, evidence-based patrol staffing, election security and threat mitigation, and how substance use and mental health impact law enforcement engagement. These sessions deliver practical tools, real-world insight, and strategies leaders can apply immediately. View these sessions and the full conference schedule here: nsawinter.org/seminars/ #sheriffs2026 #publicsafety #nationalsheriffs
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Tina Barton retweeted
Another round of Speaker Spotlights for the 2026 NSA Winter Conference is here! Today, we’re highlighting sessions happening Sunday, February 1, at 8:30 a.m., focused on preparing corrections agencies for an aging population, confronting emerging violent extremist threats online, protecting identity as a core public safety issue, and rethinking recruitment through modern, business-driven strategies. Explore these sessions and view the full conference schedule here: nsawinter.org/seminars/ #Sheriffs2026 #PublicSafety #NationalSheriffs
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David (Kawika) Lau and I are grateful to @nytimes for allowing us, as members of CSSE, to be a part of such an incredible story. Thank you, @NYTnickc ! Standing ovation for the NJ bomb sniffing dogs and their handlers! nytimes.com/2025/12/23/us/po…
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Tina Barton retweeted
Committee for Safe and Secure Elections statement on threats targeting New Jersey polling places More info here: x.com/NewJerseyOAG/status/19…
Statement of Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin Regarding Today’s Election.
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Tina Barton retweeted
28 Oct 2025
Election security should be treated as a national priority! -- op-ed by Supervisor Wendy Link @votepalmbeach Truth! 👇 "Local governments already shoulder most of the cost of running elections, but there are limits to what any one county can do on its own. Federal funding allocations through the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) have helped states like Florida modernize its systems, but those funds have fluctuated and have been steadily decreasing as of late." As we’ve seen with this year’s federal budget process, it’s worth considering how to make this kind of support more consistent. Election security shouldn’t be subject to timing or competition with other priorities. It should be treated as a national priority that reflects our shared responsibility to ensure every American vote is protected. yahoo.com/news/articles/keep…
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Tina Barton retweeted
Wrapping up my day at Michigan State University after an incredible evening with the @MSUCR — an amazing group that gives me hope for the future. Go Green, Go White!
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A couple of weeks ago, I had the privilege of spending time with the Dona Ana County Clerk’s Office in New Mexico. A huge thank-you to Amanda López Askin, Ph.D. , Caroline Zamora, and the entire team for the opportunity and for the important work you’re doing,
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Tina Barton retweeted
Had a great time in Rochester Hills with the Bertram family discussing one of Michigan’s biggest challenges — mental health. 1 in 4 Michiganders struggle, and half don’t get care. As governor, I’ll make reform a top priority. It’s time to end the stigma. #PathForward
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Committee for Safe and Secure Elections Welcomes Major Chris Grotton as Co-Chair, CSSE’s leadership team continues its mission to strengthen collaboration between election officials and law enforcement The Committee for Safe and Secure Elections (CSSE) today announced that Major Chris Grotton, former Maine State Police, has been named Co-Chair of CSSE, serving alongside current Co-Chair Tina Barton. Grotton, a longtime member of CSSE and veteran law enforcement leader, will help guide the Committee’s continued work to protect election officials, voters, and election workers from threats, violence, and intimidation. Grotton served in the Maine State Police for more than three decades where he held leadership roles in traffic safety, training, special operations, and intelligence. He re-developed and commanded Maine’s Intelligence Fusion Center, worked closely with state and national partners on policy and security issues, and founded the State Police Incident Management Assistance Team, leading responses to major incidents in Maine and building a new model for law enforcement responses used across the country. As Major, he oversaw technical, forensic, and specialized units, driving innovative projects that strengthened law enforcement coordination and public safety. “I am honored to step into this role at such a critical moment for our nation’s elections,” said Major Chris Grotton. “As a former law enforcement officer, I’ve seen firsthand how important trust and collaboration are to ensuring safe and secure voting. This work matters deeply to me because it allows us to stand side by side with election officials, providing them the support they need to keep voters safe and to safeguard the electoral process.” Tina Barton, Co-Chair of CSSE and former City Clerk of Rochester Hills, MI, welcomed Grotton to the position. “Chris is an exceptional leader who has earned the respect of both law enforcement and election officials across the country,” said Barton. “His collaborative spirit, his deep understanding of the issues at stake, and his unwavering commitment to protecting the democratic process make him the perfect partner in leading this Committee forward.” Sheriff Justin Smith (Ret.), a founding member of CSSE, expressed strong support for Grotton’s new role. “Chris has been a trusted voice and a steady hand within CSSE since the early days,” said Smith. “His leadership is exactly what the Committee needs as it continues its vital mission of bridging the gap between law enforcement and election officials to keep our elections safe and secure.” Grotton has played a strong leadership role within CSSE, contributing to the development of national resources and training initiatives that strengthen collaboration between election officials and law enforcement. safeelections.org/news/commi…
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Tina Barton retweeted
New CNN poll shows growing self-declared “independents” and smaller R & D than ever. Politics in age of violent populism is getting nasty and many Americans want better than R and D leaders offer.
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Republicans finally have a strong candidate for Secretary of State! It is important that both parties have qualified, day one ready candidates. Thank you for jumping in, Macomb County Clerk Anthony Forlini - Forlini for Us! 🇺🇸
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I am deeply saddened that this happened to my longtime friend Lt Gov @garlin Gilchrist. While he is a public figure, he is a husband and father. He is also one of the nicest guys I know, one who does truly care about this state. This can’t be our new normal.
Lt. Gov. Gilchrist says bomb squad searched his Detroit home after 'credible' threat detroitnews.com/story/news/l…
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