Full Breakdown
High Turnover Rates Among Local Election Officials in the Western U.S.
2/4/2026, 11:23:09 PM
Alarming Trends in Election Administration
A recent study by the nonprofit organization Issue One reveals a significant turnover crisis among local election officials in the Western United States. Since the 2020 presidential election, approximately 50% of chief local election officials in 11 Western states—including Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming—have left their positions. This trend has persisted despite the passage of time since the pandemic and the 2024 election cycle, with many officials resigning mid-term for personal reasons.
The study highlights that over 250 individuals have vacated these critical roles since November 2020, with 53 officials departing in the year following the 2024 election alone. The majority of these departures—around 76%—were voluntary, attributed to factors such as stress, harassment, and increased scrutiny rather than electoral defeats or term limits.
Factors Driving Turnover
The report indicates that the pressures faced by election officials have intensified, particularly in areas where elections are highly contested. For instance, 80% of counties where the 2020 presidential election was decided by narrow margins experienced turnover, compared to only 40% in counties with wider margins. This suggests that officials in closely watched jurisdictions are more susceptible to stress and threats.
Individual accounts further illustrate the toll of these pressures. For example, Joe Gloria, the former Clark County Registrar in Nevada, reported that threats against him escalated to the point where police monitored his home. Similarly, Cathy Darling Allen, a long-serving election official in California, cited health issues stemming from job-related stress as a reason for her retirement.
Bipartisan Concerns and Recommendations
The ongoing turnover has raised alarms across the political spectrum, with both Republicans and Democrats acknowledging the detrimental impact on election administration. Michael McNulty, Policy Director at Issue One, emphasized the need for political leaders to support election officials rather than contribute to the climate of distrust and hostility.
To address these challenges, the report recommends several measures, including stronger protections against threats and harassment, increased funding for local election offices, and the establishment of mentorship programs for new officials. These initiatives aim to stabilize the workforce and ensure that jurisdictions are adequately prepared for future elections.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While the Issue One study presents a comprehensive overview of turnover rates, it does not provide detailed data on the specific reasons behind voluntary departures beyond general stress and harassment. Additionally, the report does not quantify the impact of these departures on election outcomes or public trust in the electoral process.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The high turnover rates for our election officials are alarm bells we cannot ignore,” — Michael McNulty, Policy Director, Issue One
- “It really takes people working in partnership and across the aisle to stop re-ligitating the past and to stop treating conspiracy theories as truth.” — Michael Beckel, Research Director, Issue One
- “The officials who run our elections are the unsung heroes of our democracy, and they need additional support now more than ever.” — Michael McNulty, Policy Director, Issue One
The findings underscore a critical need for immediate action to protect and retain election officials, ensuring the integrity and efficiency of future elections in the United States.
