Republicans must stand with poll workers and election officials
Over the last year, election officials and poll workers have faced death threats. They’ve required police protection. Their children’s lives have been threatened. This is an alarming trend that bodes poorly for the fabric of our democracy.
Republicans must stand up for this group’s safety in the face of ascendant extremism and conspiracy theories. Defending these public servants exemplifies three key conservative values: rule of law and limited government, fairness in our elections, and patriotism. Election officials and poll workers uphold the
rule of law and curtail the power of government. Peaceful transitions of power are the American way. And they are not possible without a cadre of skillful and devoted personnel who ensure the democratic process runs smoothly as Americans’ votes are counted and voices are heard.
The work of these officials is critical in an increasingly polarized political environment. Poll workers tune out the noise and prevent partisan meddling. They ensure elections are held fairly and securely by diligently reporting violations of the law and electioneering issues near polling places. These Americans take a principled stand for nonpartisan American ideals every time we go to the ballot box.
At a time when the public’s faith in institutions and government is at record lows, poll workers’ commitment to fairness is critical. A 2021 Gallup survey found that a majority of Americans have “very little” or no confidence in Congress. The same poll found that even institutions that historically enjoyed high public support such as the military have been declining in recent years. In the face of this distrust, poll workers are best positioned to repair faith in our elections.
Ultimately, these election officials and poll workers aren’t in it for money or glory. Poll workers are paid meager amounts for their hard work on Election Day, while election officials are largely unknown bureaucrats. They choose to serve out of a firm belief in American values, in the Constitution, and in our way of life.
And they are as resilient as they are patriotic. As the pandemic raged on, public officials feared shortages of poll workers would compound unprecedented logistical challenges for the 2020 election. Instead, poll workers and election officials ran the smoothest and “most secure [election] in American history,” according to the Election Infrastructure Government Coordinating Council.
Ultimately, standing up for poll workers will take more than raising our voices and offering solidarity. State legislatures have a responsibility to resist the urge to politicize elections, and Republican voters must hold their officials accountable when they try to meddle in vote tallying and certification. Over the last year, some legislatures have heard laws that would shift power to certify elections away from election officials and to politicians. Meanwhile, some states have even passed laws that make basic mistakes by poll workers criminal offenses — a glaring attempt to intimidate patriotic and diligent fellow citizens.
Every Election Day, through pandemics and threats, these election administrators and poll workers have America’s back. It’s time we have theirs.
Trey Grayson is a Republican who served as Kentucky secretary of state from 2004 to 2011. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen is a Republican who represented South Florida in the U.S. House from 1989 to 2019. Grayson and Ros-Lehtinen serve as Advisory Board CoChairs of the Secure Elections Project.