I arrived in August 21. I estimate 75% of the staff had never run an election before our first election in May '22, said Zach Manifold, Gwinnett County's elections supervisor.
He stated his workplace turnover has lessened since then, making everyone's lives easier. He added the new Atlanta election chiefs have formed a bond over their common experiences.
“I'm part of the new generation of election administrators,” said Cobb County's new elections director, Tate Fall. After working in Virginia elections and studying election management in graduate school, Fall, 30, began her “baptism by fire” in December.
After surveying local election officials last year by the Elections & Voting Information Center at Reed College in Oregon, the researchers found that the next generation is entering top roles with significant expertise. New election officials had an average of eight years of experience, and 11 in major jurisdictions.
“I still love elections to this day,” said former Port Sheldon Township clerk Teresa DeGraaf. But it changed. No job has given me so many sleepless nights. I woke up at 3 a.m. and felt like everything I did was being monitored. We had people observe our ballot box at 2 a.m. in our parking lot before the election.”
Isaac Cramer, who followed Debney in Charleston County, said South Carolina's election code doesn't combine special elections onto the calendar, forcing authorities to stage numerous votes per week. It's burning out poll workers, and after a rash of resignations this year, he knows few other election directors in the state.
A three-year state leader, Cramer believes he's one of the most senior authorities. He claimed there is no more experienced person to ask about legal intricacies.
Debney, who worked for the South Carolina Election Commission, said election directors left when the state improved its voting technology. He trained and supported officials around the state, discussing intricacies and best practices.
In Dorchester, South Carolina, Debney runs a YMCA and serves on the Board of Elections. He'll assist his county's election director on November. “I really miss it,” he remarked. What I did was good. It benefited our community, state, and nation.”
Follow for more updates