Contact: Susan E. Bratten, 301-592-2131
For Immediate Release: July 12, 2001

Board of Elections Appoints
New Election Director

The Montgomery County Board of Elections today announced the appointment of Margaret A. Jurgensen as the Board’s new Election Director. Jurgensen comes to Montgomery County from Douglas County, Nebraska, where she is Judicial Administrator of the Douglas County Court, and served prior to that as the County’s Election Commissioner for eight years.

“I commend the Board of Elections on their choice of Margaret Jurgensen as Election Director,” said County Executive Douglas M. Duncan. “Her knowledge and experience in the elections field will serve Montgomery County voters well.”

“Ms. Jurgensen’s experience more than fulfills the requirements the Board sought in its nationwide executive search for a new Election Director,” said Board President Susan E. Bratten. “We believe she will be a most able leader and we look forward to working with her. She comes to the Board at a time of numerous challenges and innovations in our elections process.”

Jurgensen earned a B.S. in journalism and a Master’s degree in public administration from the University of Nebraska. She also completed the Certified Elections/Registration Administrator course at the University of Alabama.

In her new role with Montgomery County, Jurgensen will have management responsibility for planning, developing, implementing, and evaluating policies and programs related to the electoral process, and with staff responsibility and accountability for the allocation of major financial and technical resources necessary to fulfill elections activities. She will serve as the spokesperson for the Board that certifies elections and represents the County’s 450,000 registered voters. The election director reports to a local Board of Elections and to the State Board of Elections.

Jurgensen succeeds Sara Harris, who has served as Acting Director since the retirement of Richard Goehler in January. Harris, who chose not to apply for the director’s position, will continue to serve the Board as its Manager of Elections Administration Services.

Jurgensen’s appointment is effective August 13, 2001.