Arizona's State Election Director, Lisa Marra, has officially joined the U.S. Election Assistance Commission’s Board of Advisors, as announced by Secretary of State Adrian Fontes. Appointed by Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs and Colorado Governor Jared Polis through the National Governors Association, Marra brings to the board her extensive experience in election administration.
In a statement obtained by the Arizona Secretary of State, Marra expressed her commitment, saying, "It’s an honor to serve on the EAC Board of Advisors at a pivotal moment for our democracy." Working alongside other election officials, Marra aims to help shape systems that are accurate, reliable, and, notably, attending the 2025 EAC Board of Advisors Annual Meeting this week, cost-effective for voters nationwide.
The EAC Board of Advisors consists of a 35-member group with representatives from various stakeholder associations, federal agencies, and Congress. Charged with the responsibility to guide national election policy, this board plays a crucial role in reviewing technical standards for voting systems, including the Voluntary Voting System Guidelines (VVSG) and best practices under the Help America Vote Act (HAVA). Marra's experience is anticipated to greatly contribute to the board's increasingly important work.
Members like Marra, engaging in the essential work of the Board of Advisors, review drafts of the VVSG and provide feedback on the technical standards before they are adopted by the EAC.
The Board of Advisors operates as one of three federal advisory bodies mandated by HAVA, working to support the EAC’s mission to improve election administration across the United States. Created alongside the Standards Board and the Technical Guidelines Development Committee (TGDC). They ensure a collaborative effort in shaping the future of the U.S. electoral framework. The Full 2025 EAC Board of Advisors roster is available for viewing, following their commitment to transparency.
