The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for May 3, 2023
Today’s Script: (Variations occur with audio due to editing for time)
Today’s Links now below the script
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
The Brennan Center for Justice just released its annual survey of election workers. A majority of election officials say they are under threat, understaffed and underfunded, and they’re worried about political leaders trying to influence the next election.
The study showed that 22% of experienced election workers knew two or more colleagues who had left their posts because of fear for their safety, increased threats, or intimidation. Three-quarters feel those threats have increased, and 30% of election workers have been harassed or threatened. For the 2024 election the study suggests that 1 in 5 election workers will be new since 2020.
When asked: “How worried are you about political leaders engaging in efforts to interfere with how your fellow election officials around the country do their jobs?”, 24% said they were a little worried; 27% somewhat worried; and 29% said they were VERY worried – totaling 81% of election workers surveyed.
Another concern of a large majority of poll workers is the lack of funding. To manage the piling on of requirements for elections, three of four election officials said their election budgets needed to grow at least somewhat, with one quarter saying they needed significant growth in their budgets. More poll workers, election equipment, office staff, polling place security and cyber security were cited as priorities.
There’s much more in the Brennan Center for Justice report, so we’ve linked it at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Brennan Center for Justice – Local Election Officials Survey APRIL 2023
Politico – ‘People are fearful’: Threats to midterm election workers spur law enforcement response across U.S.
Associated Press – Man gets prison for threatening Colorado election official
Reuters – Nevada man charged with threatening state election worker
U.S. Justice Dept – Man Charged with Making Threat to Arizona Election Official
Office of Sen. Klobuchar – Klobuchar, Colleagues Urge Election Assistance Commission to Take Additional Steps to Address Election Worker Shortages
Groups Taking Action:
Center for American Progress, Bipartisan Policy Center, League of Women Voters US, NAACP Legal Defense Fund, Election Official Legal Defense Network, ACLU GA
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