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In the aftermath of the 2020 election, a disturbing trend has emerged, threatening not just the integrity of our democratic process but also the safety and representation of Black election officials. Nationwide, attacks against local election officials, particularly in battleground states such as Georgia and Pennsylvania, have escalated to a point where we must act.
Wandrea' "Shaye" Moss, a dedicated Fulton County election employee, and her mother, Ruby Freeman, became the target of a vicious smear campaign orchestrated by former President Donald Trump, Rudy Giuliani, and others. As a result of being falsely accused of processing fake ballots for Biden as if they were "vials of heroin or cocaine," not surprisingly Moss faced death threats, vile racist attacks, and was forced to leave her home and go into hiding. This alarming incident is hardly an isolated one; it reflects a broader campaign of fear against election administrators, including a baseless attack on a 62-year-old temp worker labeled as a "professional vote scammer" by Trump and Giuliani.
The racialized nature of these attacks becomes evident when examining the historical context and the broader impact on Black election officials. A recentPhiladelphia Inquirer piece emphasizes the significance of protecting Black election officials in Georgia, a state that has emerged as a key battleground due in no small part to the mobilization of Black voters. The Department of Justice's task force investigating election crimes reveals the racial threats faced by election officials, with cases resulting in prison sentences, including one involving a racially charged threat of lynching in Arizona.
The perspective offered by the NAACP Legal Defense Fund underscores the historical role of Black people as guardians of democracy. Black poll workers, predominantly elderly women, have played a crucial role in ensuring the safety and accessibility of Black voters in elections. The link between protecting poll workers of color, especially in critical states like Georgia and Michigan, and the civil rights framework becomes evident. This connection is vital in countering the systemic racism embedded in the assault on voting rights and poll workers.
Inaccessibility issues during elections, such as lack of accessible parking and ramps in predominantly Black and minority neighborhoods, further highlight issues of systemic racism. The challenges faced by poll workers, as described by LDF Digital Archivist Ashton Wingate, reveal a need for protection against infrastructure issues that disproportionately affect Black communities. The inaccessibility of the vote for Black people intertwines with the broader assault on the right of Black Americans to freely participate in democracy.
The alarming exodus of election officials, driven by threats and harassment, poses a severe threat to the democratic process. A 2022 survey of election officials revealed that one third of respondents knew someone who left their job due to safety concerns, and 20 percent indicated they planned to leave before 2024. Since 2002, in battleground states such as Arizona and Pennsylvania, we have already seen an exodus of local election officialswho have left their positions. In Arizona, 12 of the state's 15 county election chiefs have departed. In Pennsylvania, nearly 70 county election directors or assistant directors in at least 40 of the state's 67 counties have left their jobs. This steady drain of institutional knowledge serves to further undermine our electoral infrastructure, which seems to be the aim of the forces that are driving these threats.
Aquene Freechild, co-director of Public Citizen's Democracy Campaign, rightly emphasizes the urgency to protect election workers, labeling them the essential workers of our democracy. State legislatures nationwide are taking steps to penalize intimidation and harassment, recognizing the urgency created by false claims denying election results. However, the scope of these legislative responses needs to expand, with more states passing reforms to protect election officials as the 2024 election looms.
The assault on voting rights and poll workers, primarily in response to the rising influence of the Black vote since the Voting Rights Act of 1965, is evolving into a campaign to simply undermine democracy at its roots. As we navigate the challenges ahead, it is crucial for every American to speak out and get involved in the effort to pass legislation protecting our elections. Safeguarding our democracy is not only a matter of civic duty but also a crucial element of racial justice, ensuring that every voice, especially those historically marginalized, continues to shape the future of our nation.
Martin Luther King III, the eldest son of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King, is a global thought leader, humanitarian, and the chairman of the Drum Major Institute (DMI).
As president of DMI, Arndrea Waters King is a leading voice in opposing hate in all forms and advancing Dr. King's legacy of peace, justice, and equity.
The views expressed in this article are the writers' own.
