Paul Manson

Research Assistant Professor, Center for Public Service, Portland State University

Paul Manson is a Research Assistant Professor with the Center for Public Service at Portland State University. Paul is also the Research Director for the Elections & Voting Information Center (EVIC) hosted at Reed College. Since 2018, Paul has co-led the annual Local Election Official Survey conducted by EVIC. His election administration research explores the workforce, budget, and management challenges election officials wrestle with. Paul has a particular interest in understanding what draws individuals to serve in election administration, and what communities have access to serve in this critical role. In his work, Paul strives to co-produce research efforts with practitioners, allowing research questions to be developed in collaboration with the election community. In addition to survey research and quantitative methods, Paul also applies qualitative tools such as interviews and focus groups to better understand the challenges that face election administrators.

As an educator, Paul is fortunate enough to be in the classroom and workshops with mid-career professionals. In these engagements, Paul enjoys sharing the latest in research and academic thinking. But in reality, these teaching opportunities are a chance for Paul to hear how those on the frontlines are solving problems.

Paul graduated from the Portland State University with a Master of Public Administration and a PhD in Public Affairs and Policy from the Mark O. Hatfield School of Government. He cast his first and only in person vote at a small church in Alaska, and has been a vote by mail voter ever since moving to Oregon in 1998.