Originally published in The Herald-Star.
Across Ohio and the nation, our democracy is confronting a crisis: a growing shortage of election workers. These individuals are the backbone of our electoral process, ensuring that every vote is accurately counted and every voice is heard. However, they are increasingly facing not only long hours and modest pay but also harassment, threats, and, in some cases, violence. To preserve the integrity of our elections, it is imperative that we prioritize the protection and retention of these vital public servants. House Bill 180, sponsored by Rep. Roy Klopfenstein (R-Haviland) and Rep. Elgin Rogers (D-Toledo), and Senate Bill 82, sponsored by Sen. Bill DeMora (D-Columbus) and Theresa Gavarone (R-Bowling Green), both offer essential protections needed to recruit and sustain a reliable election workforce.
Election workers should not be forced to choose between fulfilling their civic duty and safeguarding their personal safety. Ohio Senate Bill 82 addresses this critical issue by classifying certain election officials as public service workers under the public records law. This classification limits the availability of their sensitive personal information to the public, thereby reducing the risk of targeted harassment and violence. In today’s climate, when the addresses and phone numbers of election workers are easily accessible, it places them and their families at significant risk. By making it more difficult for bad actors to obtain this information, SB 82 takes a practical and necessary step toward protecting those who support our democratic process.
House Bill 180, on the other hand, addresses a different but equally important challenge: the risk of workplace retaliation against those who serve as precinct election officials. This bill explicitly prohibits employers from taking adverse actions–such as demotion or termination–against employees who take time off to perform this critical civic duty. By ensuring job protection for election workers, HB 180 encourages more Ohioans to participate in the electoral process without fearing negative repercussions at their places of employment.
Election workers are indispensable in maintaining fair, transparent, and efficient elections. Without adequate protections in place, efforts to recruit and retain these workers suffer, weakening our democratic system. According to the Ohio Association of Elections Officials, Ohio is currently losing between 10% and 15% of its election workforce each year. In some states, this rate has surged to 50% since 2020, primarily due to increased threats and harassment. Such attrition compromises the ability of states to conduct smooth and orderly elections.
Protecting election workers is not a partisan issue; it is an issue of fairness, safety, and democracy. Passing HB 180 and SB 82 is crucial to ensuring that those committed to public service are neither punished nor put at risk for their dedication. We must make it clear that protecting democracy also means safeguarding those who make it possible.
Passing these bills would strengthen Ohio’s electoral infrastructure, making it easier to recruit and retain dedicated election workers. Investing in our democracy through such legislation is not just a matter of common sense–it is essential for preserving the integrity of our electoral process.
(Zack Space (D-OH) formerly represented Ohio’s 18th Congressional District and is a current member of Democracy Defense Project’s Board of Directors where he helps spearhead initiatives in Ohio to preserve election integrity and foster greater confidence in election results across the state.)
Published: Apr 28, 2025
