Report Finds False Election Fraud Claims, Intimidation, Burdensome Rules, and ‘Election Integrity’ Vigilantes Led to an Election Official Brain-Drain

Brian Beihl

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Oct. 19, 2023

Infographic: Issue One

Today’s Script

(Variations occur with audio due to editing for time. Today’s Links below the script)

You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.

A new report chronicles a brain-drain of experienced professional election officials, who, after dealing for months on end with false election fraud claims, intimidation, and burdensome new “Election Integrity” rules, have had enough.

Pro-democracy group Issue One analyzed western state data and news reports and found that 98% of Arizona voters will vote in precincts with new election officials since 2020, and that 12 of 15 counties have new officials.  Colorado lost a combined 314 years of experience when election officials in 24 of 64 counties stepped down. 

Election officials cite an increasing workload, threats, and a frustration with activists. An Arizona county election official told Women’s news site The 19th: “The reality is that there are a lot of people who don’t want to know the truth. They’ve continued for almost two years — with the emails, going to public meetings and heckling from the audience. So it has just been an accumulation over almost two years that has led to the decision.”  

In an interview with Issue One, Nevada Secretary of State Francisco Aguilar said, “Nevada has lost more than half of our top county election officials since the 2020 election, and many more staff within elections offices across the state. This has led to a critical loss of institutional knowledge and staffing shortages ahead of the 2024 presidential election.”

We have Issue One’s full report linked from AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.  I’m Brian Beihl.

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:
Issue One – The High Cost of High Turnover
The 19th – ‘There are a lot of people who don’t want to know the truth’: Why an Arizona election official is leaving her job
The Citizens – Heading into the 2024 election cycle, officials are bracing for heightened accusations of fraud—and the threats that often accompany them

Politico – Key Arizona election official to step down amid harassment and conspiracy theories
Brennan Center for Justice – The Great Resignation . . . Of Election Officials
US Department of Justice – (2021)  Task Force to Combat Threats Against Election Workers

Groups Taking Action:
Issue One, Election Official Legal Defense Network, Power the Polls, Center for American Progress

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