NV Election Registrar Cari-Ann Burgess Claims She Was Ousted

NV Election Registrar Cari-Ann Burgess Claims She Was Ousted \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Cari-Ann Burgess, the interim registrar of voters in Washoe County, Nevada, said she was forced out of her position weeks before the November presidential election. Burgess disputes the county’s claim that she voluntarily requested leave due to stress, stating that she was pushed out after refusing personnel changes. Her departure is the latest in a series of challenges in the politically crucial county, which has been affected by election conspiracy theories and staff turnover since 2020.

Washoe County Election Official Controversy: Quick Look

• Official’s Departure: Cari-Ann Burgess, Washoe County’s interim registrar, claims she was forced to leave her role just weeks before the presidential election.
• County’s Response: Washoe County officials stated Burgess had requested medical leave due to stress, a claim Burgess disputes.
• Legal Action Considered: Burgess has hired a lawyer and is exploring legal options.
• Context: Washoe County, a key battleground in Nevada, has faced election conspiracy theories and high staff turnover, with five election leaders in the past four years.
• Election Security Concerns: Nationwide, election officials have faced harassment linked to conspiracy theories, prompting increased security measures at polling places.

Deep Look:

In a significant development in Nevada’s politically important Washoe County, Cari-Ann Burgess, the interim registrar of voters, revealed that she was forced out of her role just weeks before the pivotal 2024 presidential election. This sudden departure has sparked controversy and raised concerns over the management of elections in a county that often plays a crucial role in determining statewide and national results.

Burgess, who had been in her position since January 2023, spoke out for the first time on Wednesday, disputing the official account provided by the county. According to the Washoe County government, Burgess had requested medical leave after experiencing stress-related issues. However, in an interview with The Associated Press, Burgess denied this claim, stating that she never voluntarily stepped down. Instead, she says she was pressured out after refusing to implement personnel changes requested by the county manager’s office.

Burgess explained that she had offered to return to her previous role as deputy registrar but was told that option was no longer available. During a meeting with county staff, including legal representatives, Burgess said she was pressured to submit a request for leave, despite her clear desire to remain in her position.

“I feel like I was absolutely forced out,” Burgess said. “I have no idea how we got to this point because, just days before, I was being told I was doing a great job. Then, all of a sudden, I was put on leave.” She added that she has hired legal counsel and is considering her options, as she believes her removal was unjustified.

Washoe County officials, including County Manager Eric Brown, continue to insist that Burgess requested a leave of absence. During an October 8 meeting, Brown assured county commissioners that Burgess had not been fired and had not resigned, maintaining that the interim registrar had taken leave due to stress.

George Guthrie, a spokesperson for the county election office, reiterated the county’s position. He stated that the election office was focused on “running a smooth and fair election,” despite the leadership change. The election office is now being overseen by a deputy, marking the fifth leadership change in four years. This constant turnover has raised concerns about the stability of the election administration in Washoe County, a region that has been the target of conspiracy theories surrounding the 2020 election.

Washoe County, which includes the city of Reno, is Nevada’s second most populous county and serves as a political bellwether for the state. As one of the key battleground areas in the upcoming November 2024 election, any disruption in its election administration could have significant implications. The county is seen as crucial to determining the outcome in a state where the presidential race between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump is expected to be highly competitive.

Since the 2020 presidential election, Washoe County has been grappling with the fallout from election conspiracy theories. The county’s election office has faced intense public scrutiny, fueled by a vocal group of residents who have continued to question the integrity of voting machines and demand that ballots be counted by hand. Despite repeated assurances from election officials and the absence of any evidence of widespread voter fraud, distrust in the electoral system has persisted.

Earlier this year, the Washoe County Commission, with a Republican majority, initially voted 3-2 against certifying the results of the state primary. Although they later reversed their decision and certified the results, the episode had a significant impact on the morale of the election office staff. Burgess noted that her team was disheartened by the commission’s reluctance to accept the election results.

The environment in Washoe County reflects broader challenges facing election officials across the country. Since the 2020 election, many local election administrators have been subjected to harassment, threats, and public pressure, often driven by false claims of voter fraud. Some election officials have been forced to take extraordinary precautions, including installing bulletproof glass in their offices and providing panic buttons for poll workers, to ensure their safety.

Burgess acknowledged the pressure her team had been under but expressed frustration at being sidelined. She explained that she had obtained a doctor’s note indicating she was fit to return to work but was told by county officials that her situation would not be addressed until after the presidential election. She said she has been forced to use her accumulated sick leave and vacation time while being prohibited from communicating with her staff or speaking to the media.

“I wanted to stay and help this team,” Burgess said. “They have done so much and achieved amazing things over the past year. I wanted to be part of it and support them, but they told me no.”

Burgess’s departure underscores the challenges that election offices in politically contested regions like Washoe County face as they prepare for the 2024 presidential election. Nationwide, election workers are bracing for a potentially turbulent election cycle, marked by the same unfounded claims of election fraud that have persisted since 2020. Despite these challenges, officials across the country remain focused on ensuring a safe and secure voting process, even as they navigate unprecedented levels of public scrutiny and suspicion.

In the wake of her forced leave, Burgess’s case is now the latest example of the pressures faced by election officials in the U.S. as misinformation and conspiracy theories continue to shape the political landscape. Her story also highlights the critical role that local election offices play in maintaining trust in the democratic process, especially in battleground states like Nevada, where election outcomes are often decided by slim margins.

As the November 2024 election approaches, Washoe County’s ability to manage its electoral process without further disruption will be closely watched by both parties. With Nevada poised to play a critical role in the presidential race, ensuring that the election is conducted smoothly and fairly in this politically diverse county is paramount.

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