The Washoe County elections office is facing a significant staff turnover, with all new members in key positions. This turnover is part of a nationwide trend, driven by the complexity of the job, as well as threats and harassment faced by election workers. Since 2020, at least 36% of local election officials have left their roles, according to research. Rachel Orey from the Bipartisan Policy Center notes that an unsafe work environment is a major consideration for election officials when leaving their positions.
Cari-Ann Burgess, the current top elections official in Washoe County, has also experienced threats and harassment in her previous role in Minnesota. Despite taking a break managing an ice cream shop in North Carolina, Burgess returned to elections in Nevada as the interim registrar of voters in Washoe County. However, her appointment was met with skepticism and criticism from constituents, particularly from individuals skeptical of the election process.
Washoe County, a critical battleground county in Nevada, has faced challenges in running elections due to the increasing number of registered voters and expanded access to voting. An audit of the 2022 midterm elections revealed problems related to understaffing and errors in communication, prompting the office to make changes, including additional staff, training, and transparency measures. Burgess is focused on protecting her staff from burnout and ensuring that the public understands the election administration process.
Despite efforts to improve transparency, including an open-door policy and enhanced observation areas for election observers, chief election skeptic Robert Beadles remains unconvinced. Beadles, who has spread election skepticism and opposed laws protecting election workers from harassment, continues to criticize the election process in Washoe County. Burgess emphasizes the importance of the new election law in protecting staff from threatening behavior and ensuring their safety during the election season.
Beadles, who has campaigned against past registrars and criticized election laws, including Nevada’s recent law protecting election workers, believes that harassment of election workers is not occurring. Burgess disagrees and sees the new law as a necessary tool to ensure the safety of her staff. Despite Beadles’ disbelief in the threats faced by election workers, Burgess remains committed to protecting her team and ensuring the integrity of the election process. The ongoing challenges facing election officials highlight the importance of addressing threats and harassment in the workplace to maintain a fair and transparent electoral process.
