Mark Goins elected President of National Assoc. of State Election Directors

Goins, a La Follette native, is Tennessee’s Coordinator of Elections

NASHVILLE, TN (SPECIAL TO WLAF)- The National Association of State Election Directors (NASED) has elected Mark Goins, Coordinator of Elections for the State of Tennessee, as President for the 2026-2027 term. Goins, who has been Tennessee’s Coordinator of Elections for 17 years, will guide NASED’s executive board and membership in advancing secure, accessible, and trustworthy election administration nationwide.

“It’s an honor to serve with my colleagues across the country as state election leaders,” said Mark Goins. “As President, I’ll continue to focus on practical support—sharing proven practices, strengthening partnerships, and ensuring only eligible voters are allowed to vote.”

“Mark Goins is a trusted leader in Tennessee and nationally. His commitment to making elections both accessible and secure has helped set a national standard, and I’m confident he will bring that same focus and integrity to his role as NASED President. This is a proud moment for Tennessee,” said Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett.

During his tenure as Tennessee’s Coordinator of Elections, Goins has overseen statewide initiatives that emphasize both accessibility and security. Under his leadership, Tennessee has been ranked #1 in the nation for election integrity for four consecutive years. Goins has helped implement policies such as photo ID requirements, non‑U.S. citizen cross‑checks, anti‑election hacking statutes, and online voter registration.

Goins previously served four years on the Tennessee State Election Commission and was a three‑term member of the Tennessee House of Representatives, where he served on the Elections Subcommittee. Nationally, he is a former Chair of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission Standards Board and has long been active within NASED committees and working groups.

More About Mark Goins (above)

Mark Goins is originally from La Follette, Tennessee, a licensed attorney, a graduate of Lincoln Memorial University—where he is a member of the Professional Hall of Fame—and Regent University School of Law. Goins is also a graduate of Campbell County High School. His late father, Whit Goins, served Campbell County for more than 50 years as an elected official.

About NASED

The National Association of State Election Directors (NASED) is a nonpartisan, nonprofit professional organization that brings together state election directors and their staffs to share information, develop best practices, and support the administration of elections throughout the United States. NASED members collaborate with federal, state, local, and private‑sector partners to promote secure, accessible, and transparent elections. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-02/06/2026-6AM)