When running elections, the difference between battleground and non-battleground states can be stark, particularly in the face of human errors. Tina Barton, who managed elections in Rochester Hills, Michigan in 2020, experienced firsthand how mistakes in battleground states can escalate into major controversies.
Barton recounted an incident where her office accidentally submitted an absentee vote file twice on election night. While the error was swiftly corrected the next day and did not affect the final vote count, it led to significant personal repercussions. “If a human error happens, it’s easily explained in the press and it’s not a story,” Barton explained. “You have a human error in a battleground state and all of a sudden it can become a massive conspiracy.”
The fallout included being publicly accused by the chairwoman of the Republican National Committee of improperly allocating votes, leading to death threats against Barton. One particular threat claimed she deserved a “throat to the knife” for allegedly defrauding the election.
Such pressures are now familiar to election officials in crucial states like Michigan, Georgia, and Arizona. However, in the current election cycle, regions such as Iowa, Alaska, New York, and Kansas might find themselves unaccustomed to this level of scrutiny as they become pivotal in the national political landscape.
In Texas, where elections have traditionally been less competitive, Chris McGinn of the Texas Association of County Election Officials is preparing local clerks for potential shifts in political dynamics. A significant Senate race this year could alter Texas’ usual political stability, reflecting the need for heightened readiness.
Despite a seemingly calmer environment compared to the post-2020 era, officials like Wendy Link in Palm Beach County, Florida, still encounter intimidation attempts. Although she receives threatening emails, Link has not requested additional security, stating, “So do I love reading some of the emails? No. Do I think some of them are clearly intended to intimidate me? Yes. But am I reaching out and asking for a security detail? No.”
Barton, now vice president of the Committee for Safe and Secure Elections, emphasizes the importance of all election officials being prepared, irrespective of their state’s political leanings. She warns, “It can happen whether you’re a red state or a blue state. Controversy can find you. All it takes is some ballot equipment going down, a problem with ballots jamming, a website going down.”
Research indicates that misinformation often stems from authentic incidents, which are then distorted by influential figures. This year, the Committee for Safe and Secure Elections has significantly increased its training sessions to better equip officials for these challenges.
As Barton advises those in competitive districts, “I’ve told them all, you better be on your game.”
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