Arizona Officials Appointed to National Standards Board for Election Administration
PHOENIX – Arizona continues to lead in national election policy with the appointments of Tonia A. Tunnell, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, and Eslir Musta, Coconino County Elections Director, to the U.S. Election Assistance Commission’s (EAC) Standards Board. Their appointments reflect Arizona’s commitment to advancing safe, fair, and secure election systems at both the state and local levels.
“We’re proud to have both a state and local voice from Arizona on this important board,” said Secretary of State Adrian Fontes. “Tonia and Eslir bring deep operational expertise and a shared commitment to the integrity of our elections.”
Tonia A. Tunnell currently serves as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, where she oversees voter registration and special projects. She brings more than three decades of public sector leadership experience, two decades of which she has focused on elections, with a background in data-driven administration and intergovernmental coordination. Her extensive experience in regulatory and systems reform makes her a key asset in national conversations around election standards and voter access.
Eslir Musta has served Coconino County since 2006 and currently holds dual roles as Election Director and Assistant County Manager, a position he has held since October 2021. He earned his Master of Public Administration from Northern Arizona University, the same department now launching an Elections Administration Official Certificate in partnership with the Secretary of State’s Office.
The Standards Board is a 110-member body established under the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) to support the EAC’s mission. It includes 55 state election officials and 55 local election officials from each of the states and five U.S. territories. The board plays a key role in shaping the future of voting technology and policy across the country, including the review of the Voluntary Voting System Guidelines (VVSG) and gives the EAC guidance on activities undertaken by the agency and best practices for election administration.
Click to view the full 2025 EAC Standards Board roster: