Thomas Connolly

Deputy Executive Director, New York State Board of Elections

Thomas is an experienced election professional with a background spanning multiple areas of election administration, policy development, and technical innovation. With a career dedicated to improving the integrity and accessibility of elections, he has demonstrated his dedication toward driving innovation in voter communications and outreach, operational process improvement, and policy development.

A champion of technical innovation, Thomas has played a pivotal role in enhancing election administration through the increased use of technology. He has worked tirelessly towards establishing standards for various technology systems used in elections, including voter registration systems, electronic poll books, voting systems, and online voter portals. By promoting accessibility and availability of election information, Thomas has strived to empower voters and streamline the electoral process.

After the designation of elections as critical infrastructure in 2017, Thomas has been instrumental in strengthening the cybersecurity posture of elections across New York State. Recognizing the evolving threat landscape, Thomas has facilitated the procurement of security tools for use by counties, developed grant programs to support their cybersecurity efforts, and fostered relationships between boards of elections and various state and local partners. Through these actions and others, Thomas has bolstered the integrity and security of elections at both state and local levels.

Thomas’s unwavering commitment to innovation and security in election administration underscores his leadership in advancing the integrity and resilience of the electoral process.