The Sunday Read: ‘A Republican Election Clerk vs. Trump Die-Hards in a World of Lies’

Eli Saslow reports that election denialism has become a widespread phenomenon in the United States, significantly impacting local election officials.

Widespread phenomenon across the United States

Polls show that a third of US congressional representatives and over 60% of all Republican voters continue to believe President Biden was falsely elected. Even in strongly Republican-leaning areas like Esmeralda County, Nevada, where former President Trump won with 82% of the vote despite losing the state, such beliefs have taken root. Residents harbor unfounded claims that the election was stolen through various means: voting software from Venezuela, machines made in China, interference by George Soros, and even tales of ballots stolen with hot dog tongs.

Unprecedented challenges faced by election officials

Cindy Elgin, the long-serving Republican county clerk in Esmeralda County, finds herself at the center of conspiracy theories and skepticism. She and other local clerks in Nevada have had to navigate crises since the 2020 election, including threats to their lives. In some extreme cases, such as Clark County’s election office, threat letters that contained [restricted term] powder were received. In Douglas County, during the 2022 midterms, one voter sent in a ballot with a death threat to the clerk, Amy Burgans.

Election officials like Cindy Elgin have tried to counter claims of fraud, emphasizing the "tons of proof that machines are accurate and secure." However, their responses have been met with continuous distrust by some members of their communities. With the upcoming 2024 election on the horizon, some locals like a resident named Zaykus suggest returning to paper ballots and hand counts due to fears of "potential vulnerabilities for fraud."

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In Esmeralda County, Republican county clerk Cindy Elgin faces a recall effort driven by conspiracies and distrust. The campaign led by Mary Jane Zakes raises concerns about the fragile state of faith in the electoral process.

Cindy Elgin, the Republican county clerk in Esmeralda, has been the target of a recall effort

Mary Jane Zakes orchestrated a recall election against Elgin, convincing over 130 of Elgin's peers to question her integrity amidst baseless fraud allegations.

The recall petition, which has garnered over 130 signatures from Elgin's own friends and neighbors

Labelled as "Luciferinda" by some local Republicans and accused of participating in a "deep state cabal," Elgin must confront the stark reality that election fraud conspiracies have infiltrated her community. Such accusations have pushed Mary Jane Zakes to instigate recall efforts not only against Elgin but also the county auditor and the district attorney. Zakes, defying the lack of fraud evidence and court rulings, took it upon herself to investigate and challenge the election officials.

The recall petition against Elgin, echoing the claim that she has "run interference in our elections," attracted 142 signatures—more than the 114 required to trigger a recall election. This movement symbolizes the deep suspicion rooted in the community since Trump's 2020 election loss. Throughout the verification process, Elgin has had to stand by and watch as 67 signatures were contested, revealing the severity of distrust from the very people she has served.

The recall effort has put Elgin in a difficult position

Elgin's experience highlights the personal and emotional toll

Beyond the legal processes and t ...

The state of Nevada is witnessing a crisis of confidence in its electoral process, as the challenges faced by election officials in Esmeralda County are just a symptom of a statewide issue that has emerged in the aftermath of the 2020 election.

Challenges Across Nevada

The situation that unfolded in Esmeralda County, where officials are struggling to maintain the integrity of the system amidst a tide of distrust, is far from unique in Nevada. In localities across the state, officials are finding themselves under siege by constituents who hold deep-seated beliefs that the elections are fraudulent, and that those in charge are part of an overarching conspiracy.

For instance, clerks like Amy Burgans in Douglas County, despite their dedication to their roles, face intense scrutiny and are often viewed with suspicion by members of their communities. These pressures are not merely local; they reflect a broader trend of diminishing trust in the electoral process that impacts various counties and municipalities throughout Nevada.

Exodus of Election Officials

The erosion of trust in electoral systems has had serious consequences for the workforce responsible for overseeing elections. Nearly half of Nevada's election officials have quit or resigned since the controversial 2020 elections, an exodus driven by incessant doubts cast upon the validity of the voting process, misinformation, and heightened threats. The outcome is oftentimes alarming: vocal election deniers have stepped into the void left by these resignations, wielding influence over election integrity.

One particularly stark instance of this growing pr ...

Cindy Elgin, along with other election officials in Nevada, faces severe emotional distress due to relentless accusations against the integrity of their work from friends, neighbors, and community members.

Emotional impact and mental health strain

The constant exposure to recall efforts, death threats, and other forms of harassment have inflicted a heavy toll on the mental health and well-being of figures like Elgin and her peers. Officials like Elgin are deeply invested in their communities and feel a strong sense of duty to protect the democratic process. Elgin voiced disbelief at the recall petition she faced and the overall strain of the situation, while her commitment to duty is tested against the challenges and distrust she confronts daily. She expressed worry about why she should continue holding her position amidst the turmoil.

Her deputy clerk, Angela Jewell, echoed a feeling of despair for democracy, signifying the intense emotional impact these events are having on election workers.

Elgin grapples with personal stress, admitting that she would survive if recalled due to the election-related controversy but acknowledged the toll it is taking on her, revealing that the situation has provoked nausea, panic attacks, and led to her husband searching for real estate in another community to escape the harassment.

Broad consequences and the struggle to rebuild trust

The erosion of trust within Douglas County has been stark, with "Kool-Aid drinkers" as described by Amy Burgans, fuelling an environment where a majority of voters doubt the integrity of elections. Burgans has fac ...