Why American election workers are stressed out

+ why TV political advertising works, albino discrimination in Africa ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

We’ve heard a lot about the peril facing U.S. democracy over the last few months. How the institutions of democracy are threatened by a tide of violence, misinformation, crackpot conspiracy theories and people acting in bad faith.

In the midst of all this turmoil, the very people whose work is fundamental to maintaining democracy – election workers – are working hard and honestly in town halls, school gymnasiums, state offices and other public places to help America vote.

It can be a thankless job – and the pressure on these people is getting worse, writes political scientist Amel Ahmed, from University of Massachusetts, Amherst. “The work is not lucrative – some make as little as $20,000 annually, with a national average of $50,000,” she writes.

And for those assigned such a crucial role in our democracy, there’s not much glory, says Ahmed. “With titles such as 'clerk' and 'registrar,' these jobs are not usually steppingstones to a grander political career. Those who take up these positions typically are public-service-minded, looking to give back to their communities.“

So if you’re voting today, it would be good if you said "Thank you” to your election workers. They’re making democracy work.

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Naomi Schalit

Senior Editor, Politics + Society

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TV political advertising works political scientist Amel Ahmed grander political career stunning political comeback TV political ads crackpot conspiracy theories other public places John M Sides major political parties Local election administrators American University School

Why American election workers are stressed out

America’s election systems are more than just machines – they’re people, who are overworked, underpaid and feeling pressured

Politics + Society

A stunning political comeback for Israel’s Netanyahu may give way to governing nightmare ahead

If Democrats prevail during the midterms, TV advertising might have something to do with it

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Being light-skinned can lead to ‘reverse colorism’ in many parts of the world

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Insurance fraud costs $309 billion a year – nearly $1,000 for every American

How winning record $1.9 billion Powerball jackpot could still lead to bankruptcy

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Keep calm and carry on – but how? A psychologist offers 10 tips to manage uncertainty and stress around the midterm elections

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