Meet the Faces of Democracy: Tonya Wichman
Ohio Republican discusses the joy of bringing democracy to voters and the importance of additional protections for election workers...
Project
Faces of Democracy
A campaign of election officials and poll workers to strengthen U.S. elections
Election officials and poll workers are our neighbors and friends – and they make our democracy work. Issue One’s Faces of Democracy campaign, powered by election workers themselves, aims to strengthen our country’s critical election infrastructure by winning sufficient, regular, and predictable federal funding for state and locally-administered elections, bolstering protections for election workers and facilities, and building trust in our system of free and fair elections.
Here are some facts:
- Nearly 3 in 4 election officials report an increase in threats against election officials in recent years.
- Over 50% of local election officials are concerned about political interference in how election officials do their jobs.
- 1 in 5 election officials will be serving for the first time in the 2024 elections.
- 7 in 10 Americans believe the federal government should be equally, if not more, responsible for funding elections than state governments and local municipalities.
Sources: 2023 polls by Brennan Center and Issue One
Principles:
The Faces of Democracy campaign is informed by the experiences of its members – election officials and poll workers from red and blue states, rural and urban communities, and all levels of election administration. The campaign is guided by the following principles:
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Elections are critical infrastructure for our democracy and Congress should provide states and localities with regular, predictable, and sufficient funding to ensure the security and modernization of our elections.
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All eligible voters should have access to a safe, secure, and accessible voting process.
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Election officials and poll workers should uphold the highest ethical and professional standards and follow all federal, state, and local laws.
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Election officials and poll workers should carry out their job duties in a nonpartisan manner.
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Election officials and poll workers should not face political pressure, threats, or intimidation for doing their jobs and protecting the integrity of our elections.
Solutions:
To address increasing threats against election officials and continue to ensure the integrity of our elections, Congress should:
- Authorize significant and regular investment in America’s election infrastructure to ensure our elections are adequately funded;
- Provide new funding streams that election administrators and their staffs can utilize specifically for threat monitoring, safety and doxxing training, privacy services and home security;
- Enhance information sharing and coordination about threats against election officials between federal, state and local law enforcement entities;
- Clarify and expand existing federal protections against threats and intimidation to include authorized election agents, contractors, vendors, and volunteers; and
- Increase privacy protections for election workers and their families to protect against doxxing and harassment.
Learn more about the Faces of Democracy members
“Faces of Democracy: How Our Elections Work and the Challenges Ahead”
To learn more about Faces of Democracy, email Liz Cassin at ecassin@issueone.org.
Featured
Ms. Magazine: Election Officials Are Leaving Their Jobs in Startling Numbers — And That’s Bad for Democracy
Op-ed by Faces of Democracy member Carly Koppes...
MSNBC: As threats to elections and election workers continue AZ sec. of state calls for ‘accountability’
Faces of Democracy member AZ SOS Adrian Fontes cites Issue One's "The High Cost of High Turnover" report...
A video from the Faces of Democracy: Congress needs to act now to support election officials
The Latest
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Associated Press: Election workers have gotten death threats and warnings they will be lynched, the US government says
Issue One's Deputy Chief of Strategy and Program Dokhi Fassihian quoted...
Analysis
Election Offices Need Staff
Colleges and Universities May Have the Answer...
Election offices are facing a staffing crisis as the 2024 election approaches. Local election offices and colleges can tackle this problem together by making use of the existing Federal Work…
Analysis
Meet the Faces of Democracy: George Stern
Former county clerk and volunteer firefighter talks running elections...
Editor’s note: More than 10,000 officials across the country run U.S. elections. This interview is part of a series highlighting the election heroes who are the faces of democracy. From…
In the media
Time: Time Is Running Out For Congress to Protect Election Workers Before 2024
Cites Issue One and our Faces of Democracy fly-in...
Op-eds
Indianapolis Star: Russia, China, Iran plotting to tamper with 2024 election, but we can stop them
Op-ed by NCEI members former Amb. Tim Roemer and former Director of Intelligence Dan Coats...
Press releases
National Council on Election Integrity calls on Congress to address threat of generative AI and prioritize election security
As concerns grow over the threat that generative artificial intelligence (AI) poses to U.S. national security, Issue One’s bipartisan National Council on Election Integrity released the following statement urging Congress…
Analysis
Meet the Faces of Democracy: Josh Daniels
Marine-turned-election official explains why Republicans should stop promoting election lies and how a lack of election resources hurt a Utah Republican’s reelection...
Editor’s note: More than 10,000 officials across the country run U.S. elections. This interview is part of a series highlighting the election heroes who are the faces of democracy. From…
Press releases
Issue One thanks Senate for proposed budget, urges additional action to strengthen nation’s critical election infrastructure
In response to today’s Senate Appropriations Committee markup of key appropriations bills, including funding for our critical election infrastructure, Issue One’s Legislative Director Elise Wirkus released the following statement: “We…
Analysis
Meet the Faces of Democracy: Dustin Czarny
New York Democrat discusses his love of community theater, the Boston Celtics, and how increased federal resources can improve equity for voters...
Editor’s note: More than 10,000 officials across the country run U.S. elections. This interview is part of a series highlighting the election heroes who are the faces of democracy. Since…
Press releases
Issue One applauds bipartisan congressional effort to protect election officials against threats
Issue One applauds Representatives Nikema Williams (D-GA), Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ), Mike Levin (D-CA), Mark Pocan (D-WI), Sean Casten (D-IL), and Chris Deluzio (D-PA) for leading efforts to improve resources and…