OP-ED: Clerk Appreciation Week 2024 – Standing Up for Local Election Heroes Amid MAGA Attacks

May 5 through May 11, 2024 marks the 55th Annual Municipal Clerks Week, a time to celebrate and appreciate the hard work and dedication of our local election clerks who, in the face of long hours and relentless scrutiny, make sure elections across Wisconsin are run safely and smoothly.

Just last month, Wisconsinites turned out across the state to make their voices heard in local spring elections that impacted our schools, our courts, and our municipal governments – and none of it would have been possible without our local poll workers ensuring that every vote was counted.

These election heroes are not faceless nor nameless. They are our neighbors, our friends, and our local community members. We can trust our local elections because they are run by folks we know – folks who remain nonpartisan and volunteer countless hours of their time to ensure that we, their neighbors, can confidently exercise our freedom to vote.

Despite the fact that election clerks serve a nonpartisan role, right-wing politicians are targeting our trusted election clerks – our neighbors and friends – with intimidation schemes.

These MAGA faction members, some from out of state, are attacking the very people who safeguard the integrity of our elections – who show up to count our ballots and make sure every Wisconsinites’ voice is heard in our elections.

The harassment of the people who help Wisconsinites turn in their ballots and have their voices heard must stop.

Call your state (1-800-362-9472) and federal (202-224-3121) lawmakers today to demand that enough is enough – and this Clerk Appreciation Week, take some time to say ‘thank you’ to your local election clerk.

It’s the least we can do for the people who – day in and day out – are laying the groundwork to protect our freedom to safely and securely cast our ballots.