Election Worker Turnover: Challenges and Solutions in Washoe County, Nevada

The Washoe County elections office in Reno, Nevada is facing a unique challenge as they gear up for the 2024 election season. With a 100% turnover in staff since the last presidential election, the office is emblematic of a nationwide trend of election worker exodus driven by the complexity of the job and threats and harassment.

Cari-Ann Burgess, the current top elections official in Washoe County, has experienced the challenges firsthand. After facing intense stress and harassment in her previous role in Minnesota, Burgess took a break from elections to manage an ice cream shop in North Carolina. However, her love for elections and the country brought her back to the field.

The critical battleground county of Washoe, home to Reno, has seen increased voter registration and expanded access to the ballot box, making running elections more complicated. An audit of the 2022 midterm elections in Washoe highlighted the challenges faced by an inexperienced and understaffed office.

In response to the threats and harassment faced by election workers, Nevada passed a law making it a felony to harass or intimidate election workers. While some, like real estate investor Robert Beadles, see the law as election suppression, Burgess views it as a necessary tool to protect her staff and ensure a smooth election process.

As the office prepares for the upcoming election season, Burgess is focused on protecting her staff from burnout and ensuring transparency in the election process. Despite the challenges, Burgess remains committed to her role and the importance of fair and secure elections.

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