In the Washoe County elections office in Nevada, turnover is high, with the top elections official, Cari-Ann Burgess, being the third registrar of voters in just four years. This reflects a national trend in which states are facing an exodus of election workers due to the complexity of the job and threats of harassment. Since 2020, at least 36% of local election officials have left their positions, leading to challenges in filling key roles and maintaining election integrity.
Election officials across the country have cited an unsafe work environment as a major reason for leaving their roles. Threats and harassment are significant contributing factors to turnover, leading to increased stress and burnout among those working in election administration. Burgess herself previously quit working in elections in Minnesota due to overwhelming stress after being verbally attacked by a constituent in a grocery store in front of her children.
Despite taking a break from elections to manage an ice cream shop in North Carolina, Burgess’s love for the job brought her back to the field. She returned to elections in Nevada and was appointed as the interim registrar of voters for Washoe County. However, her appointment was met with skepticism and criticism from constituents during a county commissioners meeting, with some questioning her qualifications for the role.
Washoe County, a critical battleground county in a key swing state, has faced challenges with running elections due to increasing voter registration numbers and expanded access to voting. An audit of the 2022 midterm elections highlighted issues such as under-staffing and lack of experience, which resulted in errors that required costly corrections. The audit emphasized the need for more training, additional staff, and improved transparency.
In response to the audit and to address concerns about election transparency, Burgess and her team have made changes to the election office, such as adding cameras and observation areas for election observers. Burgess has also emphasized the importance of protecting her staff from burnout and encouraging them to take care of their mental health. However, skepticism from some members of the public, like Robert Beadles, a vocal critic of the election process, continues to persist.
Beadles, who has been a prominent figure in spreading election skepticism, has campaigned against laws that protect election workers from harassment and intimidation. He argues that such laws amount to election suppression and believes that the election process lacks transparency. Burgess, on the other hand, sees these laws as essential for keeping her staff safe and ensuring the integrity of the election process. She emphasizes the importance of reporting threatening behavior to protect election workers from harm.
Overall, the high turnover of election officials, threats of harassment, and skepticism surrounding the election process continue to pose challenges for election administration in Washoe County and across the country. As the 2024 election approaches, efforts to address these issues and improve transparency are crucial to maintaining public trust in the electoral system. Burgess and her team are working to navigate these challenges while upholding the integrity of the electoral process.
