'It’s a huge lift': On the front lines of the 2024 election

State election officials bracing for new wave of challenges

With the 2024 election rapidly approaching, state election officials are gearing up for a new wave of challenges. Attempts to overturn the results of the 2020 election, new restrictive voting laws, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and rising threats of political violence are just a few of the hurdles that election officials will have to overcome to ensure a fair and secure election.

'It's a huge lift'

In Wisconsin, election officials are already preparing for the possibility of a recount. "It's a huge lift," said Meagan Wolfe, the director of elections for the Wisconsin Elections Commission. "We're going to have to make sure that we have enough staff, that we have enough resources, and that we have enough time to do it right."

In Georgia, election officials are also preparing for a recount. "We're going to have to be prepared for anything," said Gabriel Sterling, the state's voting system implementation manager with the secretary of state's office. "We're going to have to be prepared for long lines. We're going to have to be prepared for potential protests. We're going to have to be prepared for anything that could happen."

New restrictive voting laws

In addition to the ongoing pandemic and threats of political violence, election officials are also facing a new wave of restrictive voting laws. These laws, which have been passed in several states, make it more difficult for people to vote. For example, some of these laws require voters to provide photo identification, even if they have already registered to vote. Others make it harder to register to vote or to vote by mail.

These laws are making it more difficult for election officials to do their jobs. "These laws are making it harder for people to vote," said Myrna Pérez, the director of voting rights and elections for the Brennan Center for Justice. "They're making it harder for election officials to do their jobs. And they're making it harder for us to have fair and secure elections."

Rising threats of political violence

In the wake of the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol, election officials are also concerned about the rising threats of political violence. These threats are coming from both the left and the right, and they are making it difficult for election officials to do their jobs.

For example, in Michigan, election officials have been harassed and threatened by protesters who believe that the 2020 election was stolen. In Texas, election officials have been targeted by right-wing groups who are trying to intimidate them into changing the results of the election.

These threats are making it difficult for election officials to do their jobs. "These threats are making it harder for election officials to do their jobs," said Tammy Patrick, the director of elections for the Michigan Bureau of Elections. "They're making it harder for us to have fair and secure elections."

Conclusion

The 2024 election is shaping up to be one of the most challenging in recent history. State election officials are facing a new wave of challenges, including attempts to overturn the results of the election, new restrictive voting laws, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and rising threats of political violence. Despite these challenges, election officials are committed to ensuring that the 2024 election is fair and secure.