Election officials grapple with a brain drain as threats rise
Overview of Rising Threats and Attrition Among Public Officials
Increasingly violent threats toward and harassment of public officials are driving many out of their jobs, with local election officials being hit particularly hard. In the wake of the 2020 election, approximately 50 percent of top local election officials across 11 western states have left their positions, according to a new report from Issue One. This bipartisan organization, focused on tracking election issues, emphasizes the sustained attrition of experienced staff, which poses a threat to the integrity of the election process in the American democratic system.
Concerning Reports Highlight the Severity of the Situation
Recent data, including a report from the Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD), highlights a staggering 200 percent increase in violent rhetoric towards public officials from October 2021 to September 2022 compared to October 2024 to September 2025. These findings, paired with the Issue One report, reveal a troubling trend of escalating threats and an exodus of election officials, particularly in the western United States.
The Impact of Online Anonymity and Public Official Safety
Sasha Havlicek, CEO of the Institute for Strategic Dialogue, underscored a growing normalization of violent rhetoric online. “People feel emboldened to speak in certain ways because of the anonymity of online environments that perhaps wouldn’t mirror the way that they behave in their daily lives,” Havlicek explained. This sentiment is echoed by public officials, such as Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, who has faced death threats and doxxing. Bellows remarked, “It definitely raises some concerns when people are using threatening and violent language and know where I live. And it just takes one, right?”
Trump and Republican Leaders Disproportionately Targeted
The ISD report reveals that “Republican leaders, particularly President Donald Trump, were disproportionately targeted” by violent rhetoric and threats. A failed assassination attempt targeting Trump in July 2024 led to a rapid increase in online threats, with a documented 364 percent uptick for Republicans, compared to a 124 percent increase for Democrats.
Efforts to Address the Crisis
The turnover among election officials is notably high in competitive areas, where the scrutiny and pressure are most intense. Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes expressed his concern: “I’m always concerned when people feel like their personal safety is at risk, and when they can’t stand to do a job that they want to do anymore because of circumstances outside of that job, that sucks.”
In response to the crisis, new initiatives aimed at recruiting and training a new generation of election workers are underway. Fontes highlighted Arizona’s fellowship program designed to bring fresh talent into the election administration field. “Instead of just kind of only being concerned, we’re actually doing stuff about it,” stated Fontes.
The Broader Implications for Democracy
The dual threat of escalating violence and the mass resignation of experienced election officials paints a concerning picture for American democracy. The reports from Issue One and ISD serve as a warning that without immediate action, the stability of the electoral process may be at risk.
The situation underscores the urgent need for a collective effort to protect public officials and reinforce the democratic processes that underpin the nation.
Source: www.politico.com