Election Officials’ Abandon Posts: What It Means for Future US Votes

Election Officials' Departure: What It Means for Future US Votes

American democracy faces a new crisis as unprecedented numbers of election officials are leaving their posts.

At a Glance

  • High turnover among election administrators is a growing concern for smooth election operations and public confidence.
  • Election officials are leaving due to increased hostility, job complexity, and an aging workforce.
  • This turnover has increased substantially over the past 20 years, particularly since 2020.
  • Loss of experienced officials jeopardizes the integrity of future U.S. elections, as new officials lack essential expertise.

The Growing Turnover Crisis

High turnover among election officials is a concern for election integrity and public confidence. A 2024 report by the Bipartisan Policy Center, in partnership with UCLA, studied election official turnover from 2000-2024. This report analyzed data from 18,644 local chief election officials across 6,290 jurisdictions. Turnover increased from 28% in 2004 to 39% in 2022, a slow but steady trend over the years.

The exodus of experienced election officials spans all geographic regions, jurisdiction sizes, and political areas. Notably, 36% of local election offices have changed hands since 2020. This troubling trend poses significant risks to election integrity, smooth operations, and overall public trust in the electoral process.

Factors Contributing to Turnover

Contributing factors to this high turnover include increased hostility and threats faced by election officials, job complexity, and an aging workforce. Unprecedented scrutiny and harassment since the 2020 presidential election are primary drivers. False claims of a “stolen election” and voter fraud have further exacerbated the pressure on these public servants.

Since 2018, turnover rates have surged, reflecting persistent challenges such as low pay, insufficient resources, and rapidly changing laws. Chronic issues like cybersecurity and physical security demands, without appropriate compensation, are contributing to an unsustainable work environment for election officials.

Implications for Future Elections

The loss of experienced election officials has significant implications for future U.S. elections. New election officials, although bringing new perspectives and prior election administration experience, lack the deep institutional knowledge that is critical for ensuring election integrity. The combined loss of over 1,800 years of experience highlights the gravity of this issue.

“These turnover rates signify a crisis in our democracy,” said Issue One Founder and CEO Nick Penniman. “The health and vibrancy of election administrators are essential to ensuring free and fair elections in our country. Congress should heed the call of America’s election officials and deliver regular funding and stronger protections for election workers, and law enforcement agencies should intensify their efforts to hold accountable those that threaten the dedicated officials who help Americans make their voices heard at the ballot box. Election after election, local officials rise to the occasion to administer free and fair elections that are safe and secure. Now is the time for policymakers and lawmakers to stand with them.”

High turnover also results in significant costs, both psychological and financial. The recruitment, hiring, and training of new officials incur substantial expenses, and the lost institutional knowledge is irreplaceable. This issue is particularly pressing in battleground states like Arizona and Nevada, where many counties have seen significant turnover among election officials.

Recommendations and the Path Forward

To address this crisis, experts recommend strengthening support and resources for election officials, enhancing institutional knowledge, fostering collaboration, and securing stable funding. Comprehensive, coordinated strategies are necessary to better fund election administration and reduce the burdens placed on election administrators.

“This gradual increase that we’ve seen over the last two decades really does highlight the need for comprehensive, coordinated strategies that seek to better fund election administration, that seek to reduce the burdens being placed on these election administrators,” said Rachel Orey, senior associate director at the Bipartisan Policy Center’s Elections Project. “Because clearly, this isn’t something that only happened back in 2020.”

The future of U.S. elections depends on maintaining a healthy and vibrant election workforce. Ensuring the well-being of election administrators is not just a matter of operational efficiency but is essential for the preservation of democracy.

Sources:

  1. Election Official Turnover Rates from 2000-2024
  1. Election worker turnover has reached historic highs ahead of the 2024 vote, new data shows
  2. The High Cost of High Turnover
  1. The most detailed look yet at the ‘exodus’ of local voting officials
  1. New report reveals high turnover within local election offices
  1. Threats, turmoil prompt record turnover among U.S. elections officials
  1. Turnover has plagued local election offices since 2020. One swing state county is trying to recover
  1. Elections, Ideology, and Turnover in the US Federal Government
  1. About 40% of Texas election administrators leave their job each presidential election cycle, report finds
  1. Tracking turnover in the Trump administration