The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for April 26, 2023

Today’s Script:  (Variations occur with audio due to editing for time) 

Today’s Links now located below script

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

Buckingham County, Virginia is rebuilding its elections department after its entire staff quit due to conspiracy-fueled chaos.  Its election registar left in March after persistent & baseless accusations of voter fraud in the 2022 midterms, with one critic calling out at a public meeting, “I am putting you on notice — for treason!” 

NBC News and the Farmville Herald report that the allegations began after a Democrat won a school board race by nine votes.  The loss caused the county GOP chair Ramona Christian to complain of a lack of Republican election volunteers at the polls.   The Herald reports that in county precincts last November, there were 54 unaffiliated volunteers, 17 Republicans, and 12 Democrats.   

Registrar Lindsey Taylor resigned in March, telling NBC that QUOTE “Mentally, I just — I couldn’t take it anymore.”  Three other staffers also left, leaving county voters  no way to register to vote.   April 11th, the County appointed an interim replacement registrar, Luis Gutierrez, a criminal justice PhD student at Liberty University.   

In the turmoil, the members of the electoral board have also turned over, including one, who along with GOP Chair Ramona Christian, had a picture taken in March with MyPillow CEO & conspiracy theorist Mike Lindell at a conference.   Two new board appointments have been made, and a third is pending. 

We have lots more at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.  For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:
NBC News – Hounded by baseless voter fraud allegations, an entire county’s election staff quits in Virginia
Farmville Herald – Buckingham County Electoral Board Won’t Renew Registrar’s Contract
Farmville Herald – Buckingham County adds a new registrar, electoral board member

Center for American Progress – Protecting Election Workers and Officials From Threats and Harassment During the Midterms
Brennan Center for Justice – Poll of Election Officials Shows High Turnover Amid Safety Threats and Political Interference
Groups Taking Action:
Center for American Progress, Election Official Legal Defense Network, Common Cause VA

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