Starters Jonathan Milner Starters Jonathan Milner

What percent of local election officials left office in 2022?

Critical Analysis

Find answers to the following questions using the visual above, any links below, your big brain, and your knowledge of American government and politics:

  1. According to the visual above from The Bipartisan Policy Center, in 2004 what was the turnover rate for local election officials?

  2. According to the visual above, in 2022 what was the turnover rate for local election officials?

  3. Describe the change over time in the turnover rate for local election officials.

  4. According to the Bipartisan Policy Center there are three main reasons for this current level of turnover. Which of the following do you think is the most important reason for this change?

    • Increased hostility could be contributing to recent increases in turnover, with election officials and administration facing heightened scrutiny, threats, and harassment.

    • Increased complexity of the role might also contribute to increased turnover, as technological, legislative, and societal changes have made the job of election administration more demanding.

    • An aging workforce might be a factor in the steady increases in turnover, with growing shares of the workforce at or approaching retirement age.

  5. According to the Bipartisan Policy Center, the roles of election officials are increasingly complex and demanding. As threats proliferate and elections modernize, election officials must manage everything from cybersecurity risks posed by foreign adversaries to public communications, information technology, legal interpretations, political pressures, logistics, operations, and human resources. Recruitment challenges and the underfunding of elections mean that existing staff face ever-increasing workloads, with little opportunity for election officials to expand or improve their teams. Increasing demands have coincided with widespread reports of threats and harassment that put the physical and psychological safety of election officials at risk. It has been widely reported that these challenges have contributed to a tsunami of election officials departing their roles ahead of the 2024 presidential election. The departure of seasoned election professionals could threaten the smooth operation of elections and public confidence in their outcomes. Experienced officials driven out by threats, harassment, and burnout may result in openings being filled by less experienced officials who are more likely to make mistakes. How do you think these changes will impact the 2024 election?

  6. Article I, Section 4, Clause 1 of the U.S. Constitution, referred to as the Elections Clause, reads, “The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof; but the Congress may at any time by Law make or alter such Regulations, except as to the Places of chusing Senators.” Why do you think the Framers chose to have our elections run by local elections officials?

  7. Do you believe the 2024 election will free and fair?

  8. A growing number of government officials, media, and election observers are concerned that high turnover among election administrators might undermine smooth election operations and lead to lower confidence in the electoral process. What do you think?

  9. According to the visual below* what size jurisdiction is likely to have the most harassment of election officials?

  10. Why do you think that is?

Write and Discuss

Take ten minutes to write about the question at the top of the page and then discuss with your classmates.

Get Creative

Haiku are not long. But they can be tough to write. With practice, it’s fun! A haiku is a short, unrhymed poem that adheres to a specific three-line, seventeen-syllable format. Write a haiku about people who spread election misinformation. A haiku is a type of Japanese poem that always uses the same number of syllables in a three-line format:

  • the first line is five syllables

  • the second line is seven syllables

  • the third line is five syllables

Act on your Learning

The Bipartisan Policy Center recommends that states increase election funding. Contact your state legislator and let them know what you think about election funding.

Learning Extension*

 
 
 
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