Residual tension from the 2000 election is causing numerous election officials to quit or retire, according to an
AP story:
Turnover among election administrators in the nation's largest counties since the 2000 presidential stalemate has been unusually high with, by one expert's count, at least 20 top officials leaving office.
While individuals have cited various reasons for departing, many have faced greater scrutiny because of the 2000 race and new demands to fix long-standing problems, but haven't been given the resources to make effective changes, said Richard Smolka, an election expert who compiled the list.
Officials are under pressure to reform election processes, but are having trouble getting the money to carry out those reforms. In addition, many positions remain vacant, because nobody wants the gig, or the pressure.
This is not good. It's important that voters have confidence in the electoral process. If election officials can't make the necessary changes, and are freaking out in general, how are we to maintain that confidence? And what should be done about it? Do we need to hold bake sales to buy decent voting machines?