The top election official in Washoe County, Nevada, Cari-Ann Burgess, faced harassment and vitriol from the public while carrying out her duties. Despite the challenges, Burgess remained dedicated to overseeing the upcoming presidential election in November. However, she was unexpectedly called into a meeting with county officials in late September and was forced to take medical leave due to stress. The county claimed her departure was a personnel matter and focused on conducting a smooth election. Burgess, on the other hand, alleged that she was pushed out for refusing to comply with the county manager’s requests for personnel changes.
Burgess, who had stopped shopping for groceries and limited her outings due to safety concerns, expressed confusion and dismay over her sudden departure. She had hired a lawyer and was uncertain about her next steps after being removed from her position. Burgess had put her heart and soul into her job and was deeply committed to serving her country through her role as the interim Registrar of Voters for Washoe County. The turnover in the county’s election office was emblematic of the division and conspiracy theories surrounding the 2020 presidential election results.
The AP journalists who spent time with Burgess before her departure witnessed the immense pressure and stress she and her staff were under. Burgess and her team were subject to criticism and conspiracy theories about the election process, which took a toll on their mental well-being. Despite the challenges, Burgess was determined to stay strong and focused on conducting a fair and smooth election. She had implemented stress management training for her staff and emphasized the importance of self-care in such a high-stress environment.
Throughout her tenure, Burgess faced opposition from members of the public who distrusted the election process and called for hand counting of votes. Despite the challenges, she remained dedicated to upholding democracy and ensuring the integrity of the election process. Burgess worked tirelessly to train her staff, ensure security upgrades at the election office, and prepare for the upcoming election. She expressed her love for her job and her commitment to serving her country, even in the face of adversity and threats to her personal safety.
Burgess’ sudden departure highlighted the challenges faced by local election officials across the United States who have been the target of harassment and threats. The toxic political environment and false claims about election integrity have eroded public trust in the electoral process and the individuals who oversee it. Despite the difficulties, Burgess remained resilient and dedicated to her role as an election official, emphasizing the importance of conducting a fair and secure election. Her departure left a leadership vacuum in the Washoe County election office, underscoring the need for support and protection for those on the front lines of democracy.
