As California prepares for the November elections, CBS News California has discovered that about half of the state’s voters will have a new person overseeing their presidential election this year.
Experience is crucial for county election officials, especially with the current climate of distrust and misinformation, which has made the job more complex and sometimes dangerous. Natalie Adona, the Registrar of Voters for Nevada County, knows this well.
Adona experienced severe stress during her 2022 campaign, dealing with political attacks and a recount request despite her victory. She and her team persevered but understand why others might retire earlier than planned due to safety concerns. Research from the Bipartisan Policy Center highlights rising hostility, an aging workforce, and the growing complexity of elections as reasons for high turnover among election officials.
Our analysis shows that in 25 of California’s 58 counties, the person managing the presidential election will be doing so for the first time this year, affecting nearly half of the state’s registered voters.
Adona emphasizes the value of experience in learning from past elections and adapting quickly. While turnover in California has surged since the last presidential election, such levels are not unprecedented over the past 20 years. Not all new officials are inexperienced; for instance, Bob Page, the new Orange County registrar, previously worked in San Bernardino County and notes that election processes vary widely between counties.
Kristin Connelly, the new Contra Costa County elections chief, came into her role without prior election experience. She values transparency and aims to bring integrity to the position following past scandals. Connelly and her colleagues are also focusing on staff safety, with some offices adding security measures like metal detectors in response to increased threats.
Despite the challenges, election officials remain committed and encourage voters to engage with the process and address any concerns directly.